 BSB Round 10 - Croft
Steve scored another set of points scoring finishes for Rizla Suzuki when he finished ninth and eleventh th in round 10 of the 2006 Bennetts British Superbike championship at Croft on Sunday.
Steve, was again deputising for the injured James Haydon and had a torrid time in free practice and qualifying with set up and lack of grip and was only able to post a quick enough time for a fifth row start to Sunday’s set of two races.
“I steadily improved my times throughout the weekend but I seemed to hit a brick wall and couldn’t go any faster, although I did find another second in qualifying but still was not quick enough.
“We need to do better tomorrow but to be honest I am more worried about my race setup than qualifying. I need to try and find some more grip in morning warm-up - I was really struggling with the bike sliding around.”
Determined to make headway Steve got away to a good start in race one and made steady progress through the back markers to settle into 10th place and engage in a five-way battle for seventh place. Steve eventually crossed the finish line in ninth position and said: “I had a good race there, my lap times were good and I had no problems with the bike at all. I got involved with Craig Coxhell, Tommy Hill, Karl Harris and Simon Andrews and we had a good little battle. I made a slight mistake towards the end and Coxhell managed to get past me but there were three of us all crossed the finish line within a tenth of a second so it was close!”
Race two went much the same way with Steve eventually moving through to 11th place. He again battled with Coxhell but this time Coxhell was able to get away leaving Steve to complete his race in a lonely 11th place to pick up a further five championship points to add to the seven scored in the first leg.”
“I got off the line well but then got boxed in. But I got my head down and came through the pack to finish 11th. It was a good result really, especially with the bad weather so I am really happy, again there were no problems with the bike but the rear tyre went off a bit at 2/3rds distance, which slowed me down a bit. Better to be a bit more cautious in those conditions than try and get on terms with the riders way ahead and maybe throw it down the road!! I have enjoyed my two meetings with Rizla Suzuki and am really beginning to gel with the bike. Being part of Rizla Suzuki has been a great experience and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
James Haydon has to undergo a stringent medical test this week to assess whether or not he will be able to return to race action at Cadwell Park but although Rizla Suzuki are keen to get him back if it proves he is unavailable they know they have a strong substitute in Steve Plater.
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