STEVE PLATER – BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPION 2009
 
Steve claimed victory in the final race of the season at Oulton Park on Sunday to not only take the race win but also seal the British Supersport championship with a 36 point advantage over his nearest rival, Billy McConnell.
 
In the battle for the championship it was a two horse race as no other rider could overhaul the two front runners. Steve went into the race with an 11 point advantage over his rival and proved a point in qualifying when he set the fastest lap in the dying seconds of the session with a flying lap of 1m 38.706 – 98.18mph – well inside the existing lap record.
 
“The team has done a mega job for me this weekend as we have been working on a different set up from the last time we were here in May so we have been hard at it, both in the garage and riding the bike getting it all dialled in,” explained Plater. “They must have done a good job as I have gone faster than ever before here on a 600cc bike. To be honest I don’t really care about pole position because it’s the race that matters so as long as I was to be on the front row or at worse the second row that’s fine. I just hope the weather is kind to us, either really wet or dry so we don’t have to worry about tyre choice.”
 
Starting from pole position Steve settled into second place behind fellow Lincolnshire rider Ben Wilson. The pair were swiftly followed by McConnell and James Westmoreland and all four steadily pulled away from the pursuing pack.
 
On lap three McConnell took the lead with Steve in his tyre tracks but Westmoreland was also anxious to claim a victory and followed through. McConnell pulled clear but as the race worn on Steve began to claw back the deficit taking over a second out of him on lap nine before snatching the lead one lap later.
 
Westmoreland stayed in close formation and as McConnell dropped back it was left to Steve and Westmoreland to battle it out for the win. With two laps to go the pair were head to head as they exited Druids but Steve got the racing line and held station for the remainder of the race to claim the victory and the championship.
 
“I really wanted to win the race - more than anything - as well as to win the championship,” said the newly crowned British champion. “It’s ok to finish in the points or on the podium but it’s not really my way. There is nothing better than to stand on the top step and obviously Billy had three wins, I had three and Westy had two so if Westy won it would have given us three wins apiece. As it is now I have had more podiums than anyone else, more wins and now the championship so that’s nice.
 
“Its mega to put the championship to bed here at Oulton Park and it’s a big relief as much as anything else as for the last four or five rounds its been a closely fought affair. It’s a big sign of relief and its mega for HM Plant Honda and mega for me, all my family and the fans and all the people who have been ringing and texting me this last few weeks. To say I am pleased is an understatement!!”
 
This fine result concludes Steve’s racing season for the 2009 season which has also seen him take victory at the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT where he secured the historic victory for HM Plant Honda in the Senior TT.

As we head into the season finale at Oulton Park on Sunday, Steve knows that ideally he needs to finish the race ahead of the only other title contender, Billy McConnell to lift the trophy that has eluded him for the past 11 years.
 
Steve, who rides for HM Plant Honda and lives not far away from the team headquarters in Louth, goes into the final round of the Fuchs/Silkolene British Supersport championship with a 11 point advantage over his rival and is aiming for a win, to not only win the championship but also the last race of the campaign.
 
“It would be an ideal situation for me if I can win the race, but of course things don’t always pan out as expected,” explained the Steve.  
 
“And of course we have to remember that we are now into October and the weather might have a say in proceedings like the last time we were at Oulton.
 
 If Billy happens to win I can’t take anything for granted and need to finish on the podium, but I will approach this race in exactly the same way as any other – and that is to win.”
 
It may be a two horse race for the title but there are a number of riders who will be out to win the last race of the season. James Westmoreland, who was the runaway winner at Silverstone and fellow Lincolnshire rider Ben Wilson will both be putting in a strong performance and challenging for victory so it wont be all plain sailing for the Steve who has already taken the win in the Senior TT and his two races at the North West 200 this year.
 
Free practice and qualifying take place on Friday and Saturday, October 9/10 prior to the final round of the Fuchs/Silkolene British Supersport championship that takes place over 15 laps of the 2.269-mile Cheshire circuit on Sunday, October 11 starting at 4pm.