<B>Coronel gets third SEAT.</B>

SEAT Sport UK has confirmed that Tom Coronel will drive its third car in the final rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton.

The Dutch driver, who won the World Touring Car Championship independents' title last season driving for GR Asia, will be making his BTCC debut at the wheel of a third SEAT Leon which will come directly from the SEAT Sport workshop in Barcelona.

With Vauxhall having confirmed that Alain Menu will be in a third Vectra for the weekend, Coronel's aim will be to pick up as many points as possible and to try and finish ahead of the three Vectras to aid both SEAT and Jason Plato in the battle for the respective titles.

"Tom has shown in the FIA World Touring Car Championship that he's capable of racing with the best and his experience in the Leon will enable him to hit the ground running," SEAT UK motorsport manager Scott Dennis said. "However, he'll be carrying forty-five kilos of ballast so it's vital that we get the car set-up right for the ultra-fast Hampshire circuit so that he gets up to speed before qualifying.

"Without doubt Thruxton is the biggest race weekend in the short history of SEAT Sport UK and it's all going to come down to who does the best job when it matters."

Coronel himself admitted he couldn't wait to make his maiden appearance in the BTCC and said he was well aware of the job he has to do for the team.

"There are two special things for me. One, it is always nice to race a SEAT, and two, I have never raced in the BTCC before and it's always been a championship that I have looked up to and wanted to experience," he said. "I have seen it on television and the strength of drivers and the standard of the competition is very strong. I've never been to Thruxton before, but I hear it's very fast and I like fast circuits.

"A circuit is a circuit and I know the Leon well, so for me it won't be a problem. I have come into a different championship before in my career to help out, so I know what is expected of me."