STEVE PLATER TAKES DOUBLE WIN AT NORTH WEST

Steve went to Ireland aiming to break his duck and score his first win in the North West 200. Not only did he do just that by winning the opening Superbike race but went on to take the win in the North West 200 race and smash the lap record on his way to the chequered flag.

The world famous North West 200 races are held on the triangular course linking the towns of Port Rush, Port Stewart and Coleraine, a distance of 8.966 miles of racing on public roads and watched by a huge army of spectators.

Riding the HM Plant Honda Fireblade Steve began both his races from row two of the grid after completing Thursday evening’s qualifying session in fourth place.

“Obviously I’m disappointed that I’m on the second row, especially after I led the timesheets for two thirds of the session,” explained Steve. “They only start three on a row here so a fourth place means second row, disappointing but I will just have to get my head down in the race and get the job done.”

The first race of the day was the six-lap De Walt Performance Tools Superbike event and Steve was hoping to be up with the leaders by the first corner. But he got bogged down at the start and was lying seventh in the middle of a bunch of riders as they approached Metropole for the first time.

By the time the riders completed lap two Steve had moved forward to hold fourth and was making inroads towards John McGuinness some way ahead. The race leader made a mistake and dropped back behind both Plater and McGuinness at University corner on lap four and by the time they crossed the line to start lap six Steve was up into second place. He now had Michael Rutter in his sights and gradually reeled him in with Bruce Anstey joining in the battle after overcoming McGuinness.

They approached Metropole three abreast and Plater momentarily took the lead but Rutter fought back to regain his position. It was all down to the final chicane where Rutter made a mistake. He clipped the grass verge and crashed out of contention leaving Steve in the clear to cross the finish line for his first ever win at the high profile event.

“I am chuffed as anything,” said the ever-smiling Steve Plater. “I was desperate to get this win under my belt. But we are only half way there yet as we have the big race to come yet and that’s the one I really want to win.”

Steve had just a couple of hours to catch his breath before lining up for the start of the feature race of the day, the Black Horse Motorcycle Finance North West 200 Superbike event.

This time Steve was up to sixth at the first corner and forged ahead to hold third place at the start of lap two. By this time the race leader, Michael Rutter had pulled away to establish a good lead and Steve knew he would have to pull out all the stops if he was to catch him. He moved into second place on lap two and set about chasing Rutter who was some three seconds ahead. At every check point the gap was reduced and as they began the final lap there was just 10 metres separating the two riders.

But Steve meant business and was determined he would win so upped the anti even further. At Metropole they were neck and neck and as they rounded the chicane to head for home it was Steve Plater who was in front and he powered the HM Plant Honda across the finish line to win his second race of the day.

“I’m over the moon, even though I won the first race and I was happy with everything, I was a little disappointed as I didn’t break the lap record,” said Steve. “So I wanted to go harder in the second, and get it. In the first race I pressurised Michael as much as I could on the last lap and it worked. In race two, Michael was happy trying to do the same to me I then caught a back marker at Juniper on the final lap. So I just shot underneath him I knew Michael couldn’t get me back so it was perfect!”

Steve did in fact break the lap record with a time of 4 minutes 20.07 seconds, an average speed of 124.109mph.