Steve Plater 2008

Steve To Contest British Supersport Title With HM Plant Honda

l - r Josh Brookes, Glen Richards, Steve Brogan and Steve

Steve is to join HM Plant Honda to race at the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT races in 2009, it has now been confirmed that the Lincolnshire star is also to contest the 2009 British Supersport championship for the Louth-based team.

HM Plant Honda has now announced its rider line-up for the 2009 British Superbike Championship with Glen Richards and Josh Brookes competing in the Superbike class, Steve Brogan looking to retain his title in the British Superstock championship and Steve aiming for the British Supersport title.

Richards, Brookes and Brogan will each be competing on board the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, with Steve fielding HM Plant Honda’s sole CBR600RR.

Steve said, “I came into the British Supersport series late after the TT, but was never off the podium when I did race and champ Glen only beat me the once at Brands, so I’m proud of that! It’s great to be back with a factory team and even better to be back with Honda after five years away. It was flattering to get the call, especially after I’ve been rebuilding my career over the last few years after injury. I know the team well from my British Superbike days and while I know next year’s British Supersport series will be completely different, it’s my job to go out there and win the championship. That’s why Honda is employing me and I’m going to give 110%.”

HM Plant Honda Team Manager, Havier Beltran, said, “We’ve got a very strong rider line-up for 2009 across each of the classes. In the Supersport class, the updated 2009 Honda CBR600RR will still be a very competitive package and Steve has shown this year that he can ride a 600 as he scored wins in this season’s championship, despite coming into it comparatively late on. We’re looking forward to a strong and competitive 2009!”

Steve has just one more race to run before the end of his season with Yamaha. He is to fly out to Qatar for the final round of the FIM Endurance World championship to be held on the Losail racetrack and run over eight hours on November 8.