Both Steve Plater and Ian Hutchinson completed the sixth round race in the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship in strong positions for AIM Yamaha at Mallory Park on Sunday, Steve taking his second successive podium finish with second place and Hutchy not far behind in fourth.
Qualifying saw Hutchy hold provisional pole for a long time before being knocked back to second when series leader Glen Richards put in a late challenge to snatch pole from under his nose. Steve Plater ended up in sixth position for a second row start after being unable to put a clear lap together around the short and tricky 1.41-mile Leicestershire circuit.
Just as the riders formed the grid, a heavy shower of rain caused problems to the start procedure. They sat it out on the grid hoping the rain would quickly clear away.
But after a lengthy delay and with rain still falling, a wet race was declared and the teams were given a short time to make a final tyre choice – with most opting for full wets and because of the delay the race was cut to 24 laps.
Plater got away to the good start he had hope for and slotted into second place behind series leader Glen Richards. But wet weather specialist Hudson Kennaugh came past the pair to establish an unbeatable lead, leaving Plater and Richards to fight it out for second place.
Plater caught and passed Richards on lap nine and despite a challenge from Ian Lowry mid-race, rode through untroubled to take second place and his second podium finish in as many races.
Hutchy meanwhile was not quite so quick off the line and settled into fourth position where he remained throughout the 24 laps. Although in close formation with Plater and Lowry he couldn’t quite find the pace to make an overtaking move on the pair and crossed the finish line for his best result of the season in fourth place.
This fine set of results for the team put Plater up into seventh place and Hutchy to ninth at the half way stage of the championship.
But Steve will miss two of the remaining six rounds as he has commitments in the World Endurance championship. The date clash means he will miss the Knockhill and Croft races but will contest the remaining four rounds, the next being at Oulton Park on July 20th.
Steve Plater I am happy enough with second today. Glen got away at the front and I made it through to second straight away. I sat behind him for a while and then Kennaugh came past both of us on the exit to Edwina’s chicane going very fast. I was not prepared to go that quick and risk a crash in the slippery conditions so I sat behind Glen before making my move into second and kept my position under control.
Ian Hutchinson The result didn’t go the right way for me, but I guess fourth is ok. At least we got some points. I wasn’t too bothered about the wet weather but I had a race plan and wasn’t able to stick to it. I used full wets, as in those conditions you didn’t really have any options.
Picture Credit: Action - Turn One PhotographyPodium - Helen Pask
