Jason Plato knows the sky’s the limit as he opens the defence of his Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch tomorrow.

For the reigning champion will be flying to and from every event this year in an Agusta 109 helicopter as part of a new endorsement deal.

Plato has joined forces with Biggin Hill-based aircraft management, charter and sales specialist Global Flight Solutions, whose logo will appear on both his crash helmet and race overalls.

He said: “After a successful weekend racing, all I want to do is get home quickly to see my wife and two daughters – actually the same applies if the weekend has not been too good either.

“There is no better way to travel than by helicopter and I’m proud to be associated with GFS.”

GFS’s chief executive officer, Paul Forster, said: “Jason and I are old friends; we used to work together as race instructors at Silverstone many years ago, so I am really looking forward to supporting him.

“Hopefully on the return flights he will have extra luggage in the form of trophies.”

The Agusta 109 is the fastest civilian twin-engined helicopter in the world with a 180mph cruising speed.