Courtsey of Helen Pask
Image by Dean Owen
Steve Plater knows he has to win the remaining two races in the 2009 Fuchs/Silkolene British Supersport championship if he is to lift the trophy that has eluded him throughout his racing career and he approaches the penultimate round of the series at Silverstone on Sunday with the determination that is expected of him to do just that.
Plater, who has found success this year with the HM Plant Honda team based at Louth in Lincolnshire has already taken wins at the NW200 and also won the prestigious Senior TT race at the Isle of Man TT festival, would love to end his season by winning the British Supersport title as 11 years ago he missed out on the title after he and John Crawford tied on points and the results were counted back to which rider had the most second places, which was Crawford.
“I know what I have to do in the final two rounds at Silverstone and Oulton Park,” said Plater. “Ideally I want to win both races but it is essential I finish them both ahead of McConnell who is lurking just seven points behind me. It is going to be close as I don’t just have Billy to contend with. Ben Wilson and James Westmoreland are both running at the front this year and either of those have the potential to win races.
“The HM Plant Honda Supersport bike is one of the fastest machines out there so I will be aiming for a front row start in qualifying and then for a good start to the race at Silverstone to put some distance between myself and the other riders as quickly as possible.”
Free practice is on Friday followed by qualifying on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s 18 lap affair starting at 3.45pm when the battle for the title will continue.
