Both AIM Yamaha Supersport riders suffered problems during the seventh round race in the 2008 Fuchs/Silkolene British Supersport championship at Oulton Park but Ian Hutchinson managed to complete the 16 round encounter in 11th place while Steve Plater was forced to retire at three laps distance.
The two qualifying periods were run in differing weather conditions; wet for the first session followed by a dry run later in the day, which was to set the grid for the start of the 16-lap race on Sunday. Plater rode through to sixth place and was all set for a second row start where he was sure he could produce a strong result.
As the race got underway Plater latched onto the back of the leading group in fifth place and the five soon pulled away from the following pack. But by lap three he was seen to slow and begin to lose touch, dropping back into the clutches of the riders behind him.
At the end of lap three he retired into the pits complaining the bike was losing power and it was decided to call it a day to prevent further damage.
Meanwhile Ian Hutchinson completed his qualifying down in 19th place for a fifth row start. And although he was left with a lot of work to do he produced a string of fast laps to pick up places to ninth by lap 11. But he encountered a problem with the front brake lever, which had come loose forcing him to slow and drop back to cross the finish line in 11th place.
Steve Plater Team Coordinator I have no idea what caused my bike to slow; it will be stripped down next week in an effort to solve the problem before the next round at Knockhill. I won’t be available for the Knockhill race as I have a prior commitment in World Endurance. A decision will be made nearer the time as to who is to ride the bike in my absence.
Hutchy had a problem with the brake lever when a nut became dislodged and he had to hold the brake together while trying to outpace his opponents during the final three laps. Consequently he lost a bit of ground but still managed to consolidate 11th place and bring a further five championship points back to the team.
Championship standings after seven of 12 rounds: 1st – Glen Richards 141
2nd – Hudson Kennaugh 116
3rd – Ian Lowry 95
4th – Steve Brogan 75
=5th – James Westmoreland 61
=5th Chris Martin 61
7th – Steve Plater 458th – Ian Hutchinson 42 Picture credit: Turn One Photography
