Fifer Jonathan Adam, who clinched back-to-back Seat Cupra Championships last weekend, will test a British Touring Car Championship-winning diesel-powered Seat Leon at Silverstone on Monday.
The 26-year-old from Kirkcaldy dominated the Cupra Championship for the second year in succession and is now keen to graduate to a full season in the BTCC with his current team, Total Control Racing.
“We’d love to make the step up to the BTCC next year, ideally driving the turbo-diesel Leon,” Adam explained today. “I’m testing the car on Monday at Silverstone, so we should quickly get an idea how fast I am.
“Despite racing the Cupras for the past few years, it will be a bit of a steep learning curve because I’ve been used to driving a petrol car and the diesel demands a totally different approach.
“One of the biggest differences is there’s very little engine noise in the cabin, so changing gears at the right time is done more on the rev counter than noise. It’s going to be different, but I know I’ll still be fast.”
As part of his championship-winning prize, Adam will drive one of the diesel Leons in a round of the World Touring Car Championship. His outing is expected to take place before the end of the year.
And despite Seat announcing it will not contest the BTCC next season, the manufacturer has confirmed its two race-winning cars — driven by Jason Plato and Darren Turner — will be put up for sale.
“Sure it would be terrific if we could buy and run one next season,” Adam admitted, “but it’s not going to be cheap. We’ve a fantastic number of loyal sponsors who have stuck by me, but realistically we’ll need to attract another couple if we’re to race the Leon in the BTCC.”
JM