Jason Plato's day job is to get behind the wheel of a 150mph racing car

Andy Goodwin races Jason Plato and speaks to him about his BTCC season, driving a burning car and his desire to be the people’s champion.

View more pictures of Jason Plato at the DVLA's Trafalgar Square event

The morning sun is beating down on London’s Trafalgar Square and 2001 BTCC champion Jason Plato has just beaten me in a race. It’s a surreal start to the day.

The track is in the shape of the number four - because the DVLA say this is how many minutes it takes to renew your car tax online or on the phone.

The remote control cars humming around its sharp corners are proving tricky to master. And it’s this promotional event which sees us vying for position against Jason under the watchful eye of Lord Nelson.

As our time runs out Jason’s competitive spirit is alive and well. After some controversial bumper-to-bumper action his grin widens and he takes the tiny chequered flag.

“Step into my office,” says Jason.

Our ‘office’ for today is a corner at the base of Nelsons Column proudly guarded by a huge bronze statue – I’ve stepped into the Lion’s den.

“So, what do you want to chat about?” says Jason. He’s instantly likeable, and gets a few questions in before I can even ask him my opener.

British Touring Car Championship

First, we talk openly and enthusiastically about his day job behind the wheel of a 150mph racing car.

“I hope I won the championship of spirit and determination last year,” says Jason.

Jason might have missed out on the 2007 British Touring Car Championship by two points, but his amazing determination to race just four days after he was badly burnt in a car fire won him the admiration of an emphatic crowd.

He currently sits fourth in the 2008 championship and will be keen to forget last weekend, after his season took a blow on a wet and unforgiving Croft circuit and after some “disappointing” decisions by race officials saw him penalised.

“We’ve got ground to make up, but we can still do it,” said Jason. “There are five events left and they should all suit our car.”

Jason’s 300bhp Seat Leon racer is fitted with a diesel engine for the first time this year.

“It’s a difficult car to master because the diesel’s power arrives all at once, unlike with a revvy petrol engine,” said Jason. “But, it’s tremendously promising and very fast.”

Dogfighting with Tiff Needell

So, can we expect to see Jason back behind the wheel on Fifth Gear?

“I’ve already filmed two pieces for the show, and it’s going to be on screens later this year.

“The show is going to be a slightly different format, and there might even be a new presenter but I can’t spill the beans just yet.”

“For me, the most exciting part of the show is the dogfights with fellow racing driver Tiff Needell,” said Jason. “Its great fun to chase each other on track and it’s a real test of the cars too, so expect more in the future.

“Tiff is a great bloke, he’s got the personality of a 10-year-old boy trapped inside a man’s body.”

But it isn’t all fun, fun, fun – last year we were the first to report on Jason’s dice with death during filming.

As he speared down a converted British runway testing the Caparo T1 supercar he was engulfed in flames at 160mph.

“It was a really surreal experience. I had never been in a fire before and it seemed like time slowed down.

“Instinct took over and seconds felt like days, and amazingly I kept control of the car.”

“I had the last race of the season four days later and wasn’t really fit to drive,” said Jason.

“But I couldn’t let the team down, and more importantly I couldn’t let down the fans.”

I ask Jason if he has any permanent injuries from the fire.

 “Well, my right hand looks like a Koi Carp,” says Jason, Laughing.

Jason’s love of cars

Some racing drivers aren’t too interested in road cars, but Jason clearly loves them. And he’s pretty fond of his scooter too.

In the family garage is a selection of Teutonic machinery to suit every occasion.

It includes his Seat Leon Cupra company car, Seat Altea family wheels, Volkswagen Touareg SUV and Porsche 911 Turbo.

The Porsche is faster than his racing car in a straight line with its top speed of 193mph.

But, he’s most enthused about his Vespa scooter.

“I love it. It’s silver and has a 250cc engine so it’ll do 80mph. There is no faster way to get around Oxford than on the Vespa.”

And Jason is no stranger to this very website.

“I quite often browse the Auto Trader site for cars, and I’ve sold a few on there too.”

Ways to unwind

So how does a racing driver and TV presenter relax?

“I like music,” said Jason. “But I don’t get to many gigs now my baby daughter has been born.

“The last concert I went to was Jamie Cullum and I really enjoyed it.”

“I watch Formula 1 races when I can and think Lewis Hamilton is a phenomenal young man.

“I think he could be the biggest star the UK has ever seen – far bigger than David Beckham.

“He could be an icon.”

And with a firm hand shake Jason returns to doing what he does best – beating people on the racing track, full-scale or not.

Win a free Seat

Jason was promoting the DVLA’s ‘Licence to Thrill’ car giveaway.

Everybody who renews their car tax online or over the phone is now entered into a prize draw and has the chance to win a Seat Ibiza Ecomotive which emits just 99g/km of carbon dioxide.

To renew your car tax online visit www.direct.gov.uk/taxdisc or phone 0870 850 4444.