"Silverstone feels like my home race, since I’ve raced in the UK for so many years and I hope a lot of fans will come out and support us," he said. "We hope to be as competitive as we were at Magny-Cours - certainly, we should be able to score points in both races and at least one podium, although the BMWs will be difficult to beat even if they’re carrying weight."
Together with Peter Terting, the Seat squad will be swelling to four cars with Silverstone heralding the debut WTCC outing for prolific BTCC winner
Jason Plato. Having stamped his mark on the British series with seven victories at the wheel of a similar Toledo last season, Plato has been gifted a dream drive alongside Rydell and his expectations are just as high as his former rival.
"I can’t wait!" he said. "I wouldn’t say Silverstone’s my favourite circuit, but I like it a lot. It’s very technical - lots of fast and slow bits - and I wouldn’t actually mind if it rains, since the SEAT Toledo is great in the wet. The only difference between the BTCC and WTCC cars is the tyres, so I’m really confident. I want to win and I’m not going there with any other thought in mind!"
Whether Plato - or indeed Rydell - grabs that victory, SEAT are undoubtedly heading to Britain on the crest of a confidence wave.
Chevrolet also head to Silverstone full of confidence after a highly improved showing at Magny-Cours, where they bagged a brace of top 20 finishes, culminating in Nicola Larini hauling his Lacetti up to 13th place in race two. The Italian climbed four places from 17th place and by the finish closely trailed the SEATs of Rydell and Terting, as well as Roberto Colciago’s Honda, making a top ten finish more than possible this weekend. Chevrolet’s omens look good too as its RML base is just around the corner, and all three drivers have a successful history at
Silverstone, something team manager Mark Busfield if hoping to capitalise on this weekend.
![Dirk Muller leads Antonio Garcia [Pic credit: FIA WTCC]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/143201.jpg)
