BTCC Legend Jason Plato Leads a Packed Grid of Special Guests at Reis Race Retro
Published: 07/02/2023
Racing driver, TV presenter, and two-time British Touring Car Championship
winner Jason Plato will make his Reis Race Retro debut, leading a packed grid of
special motorsport guests. Held at Stoneleigh Park from 24-26 February, Jason
will be at the historic motorsport celebration all three days so there will be plenty
of opportunities for fans to grab an autograph or that all important selfie.
Jason, who started his motorsport career in karting before moving onto Formula
Three and Formula Renault, was BTCC Champion in 2001 for Vauxhall and again
in 2010 for Silverline Chevrolet. He finished in the top three in the Championship
12 times and holds the record for the most overall race wins in the BTCC. Jason
retired after the 2022 season but can still be seen on-screen as a presenter of the
motoring TV show Fifth Gear.
He will be just one of the famous faces interviewed on the Reis Live Stage by race
commentator and presenter Chaz Draycott. Chaz will also be joined by British rally
and saloon car racing driver Louise Aitken-Walker MBE.
Louise’s career began in 1979 when she was entered in Ford’s ‘Find a Lady Rally
Driver’ competition, without her knowledge, by her two brothers and was the winner
from 2000 entrants. Two years later, she finished 19th in her first rally GB. She
contested the 1989 British Touring Car Championship, finishing fourth in points.
Spanning fourteen years up to 1993 when she retired, Lousie became the first
woman to win a National Rally outright and the first ever British driver to win the
1990 FIA Ladies World Rally Champion. In 1990 she was awarded the
prestigious Segrave Trophy, which is presented for a remarkable achievement on
land, sea or through air by a British subject.
Louise will be in the Halls on Friday but will mostly be found behind the wheel of a
rally car on the Reis Live Rally Stage on Saturday and Sunday.
Welsh rally driver David (Dai) Llewellin, another two time British Rally Champion,
returns to the show and the rally stage with his son Tom, a former Welsh National
Rally Junior Champion and British Junior Rallycross Champion.
Dai and Tom will both be driving over the weekend as well as being interviewed
and taking part in group panels with the other guests with an opportunity for visitors
to ask questions.
Other guests appearing include former F1 pundit now HERO-ERA
communications director Tony Jardine, who will give an insight into rallying.
Authors Crispian Besley, Jon Saltinstall, Tim Beavis and Guy Loveridge will take
to the stage to talk about their latest books with signing sessions following their
interviews.
As well as celebrating the forthcoming season, there will also be a tribute to those
people we have lost from motorsport since the last Reis Race Retro was held in
2020.
Tickets are now on sale for the show, held from 24-26 February 2023 at Stoneleigh
Park, Warwickshire, with free parking for all visitors. For the latest updates and
ticket information, visit www.raceretro.com.
