Steve Plater 2008

Steve Wins At Qatar

Steve rounded off his season with a win when he completed the final round of the FIM World Endurance Championship at the Losail circuit in Qatar to take a decisive victory for Yamaha Austria (YART) and secure the runner up spot in the world championship.

Qualifying went well for the team, which consisted of Steve, Igor Jerman and Steve Martin, who qualified in second place for the start of the gruelling eight hour race just behind the champions elect, SERT Suzuki.

“All three of us lapped very well during qualifying,” explained Steve. “We found a good set up and were optimistic of a good result. The weather was warm but very windy at times during free practice and qualifying but we all came through it ok and posted some quick times to make a start from second place.”

Team manager Mandy Kainz gave instructions not to risk anything but to go for a good result and bring the bike home safely to consolidate the team’s second place in the championship sand Steve was given the honour of starting the race for the final outing of the season.

He moved into second place on the first lap and took the lead on lap three, battling throughout with Matthew Lagrive (SERT), Jakub Scmertz (Maco Moto) plus Glen Richards (Phase One).

A dramatic few laps followed resulting in a crash for Glen Richards. Steve was very lucky to avoid hitting him and decided not to risk the same fate and sensibly opted to settle into a rhythm and maintain third place.

More drama was to come when Lagrive crashed, which put Steve up to second place by the end of the first session as he handed over the bike to Steve Martin. The team then decided to push for the win and entered into a race-long battle for position with team Maco Moto who were also contesting the runner up spot in the championship.

The battle continued throughout, with the lead changing hands between the two teams on many occasions. But with 90 minutes remaining YART began to pull away and built up a substantial lead, which they held to the chequered flag to take the win and clinch second, place overall for Yamaha Austria (YART).

“I started the race and then rode the final hour to finish it as well,” said Steve.” It is awesome to end my season on the top step of the podium. Apart from Suzuka, I have led every World Endurance race this year but until now have missed out on the win. This weekend more than makes up for that and it is an excellent end to a very productive season for me.”

Steve won three of the four big races at the North West 200 meeting in Ireland in May before going on to win the Junior TT race in the Isle of Man. He also won two British Supersport races this year and numerous podiums along the way and now this win in the World Endurance series rounds off his most successful season to date.

Next season is already mapped out for the Lincolnshire star who will line up with the Louth based HM Plant Honda team to contest the British Supersport championship plus the Isle of Man TT races and the North West 200. It is unclear at the moment which team Steve will ride for in the 2009 World Endurance championship but he hopes to be in a position to announce his plans for the World Series shortly.