The two AIM Yamaha riders, Steve Plater and Ian Hutchinson rode well at the North West 200 races on Saturday with Steve Plater taking three wins and a fourth place plus the lap record in the Supersport class while Ian Hutchinson battled with machine problems but came through to secure three top tens. He was forced out of the last Supersport race in the closing stages with a water hose problem. The first Superbike race was a challenge for both riders who had been having suspension and set up issues throughout qualifying but K-Tech and the AIM Yamaha technicians worked hard throughout the week and both bikes were up and ready for racing on Saturday.
Both AIM Yamaha riders brought points back from their respective races at Thruxton on Sunday with Sean Emmett scoring 11th in the first Superbike race and Ian Hutchinson a strong eighth place in the Supersport event. Standing in for the absent Steve Plater who was competing in the Le Mans 24-hour race, Emmett took the AIM Yamaha R1 to 10th position in qualifying and started the two British Superbike races at Thruxton from a third row grid position.
Alistair Flanagan is pleased to announce that he has secured the services of Sean Emmett to replace Steve Plater at Thruxton. Plater is absent because of World Endurance duties with GMT94 Yamaha at the Le Mans 24-hour race this weekend and Emmett will contest both races in the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike season opener at Thruxton for the team. Due to the severe weather conditions the Brands Hatch date had to be postponed and will now take place over the weekend of May 10/11 with qualifying times gained at the Kent circuit carried forward to the rearranged date.