Steve Plater

Race career

Having briefly raced speedway in his teens, Plater started his working life as a bricklayer, beginning racing in 1994 and winning his first ever race at Cadwell Park. In 1998, he won the British Powerbike championship, but however lost the more prestigious Supersport title on countback. He set an impressive pace at the 1999 Bol d'Or en route to finishing third on a Kawasaki, which led him to race this bike in the 2000 British Superbike Championship full-time, finishing 6th overall without a podium but with a string of 4th to 7th places. He missed much of 2001 due to injury, but still took three podiums. 2002 was his strongest season to date, seeing him finish 5th overall on a Yamaha, with two late-season wins. In 2003 he rode a Honda to sixth overall, winning at Cadwell Park in 2003 )

Plater missed the start of 2006 due to injury, but returned to win both Superbike races at the North West 200. He won the 2007 Albacete 6-Hour Endurance race on a Kawasaki, teamed with Julian Mazuecos and Gwen Giabbani. He was voted Best Newcomer at the 2007 Isle of Man TT on Yamahas, having been mentored by former racer Mick Grant.

Most of his 2008 races were on Yamaha machinery. He won the Supersport TT race after on-the-road winner Bruce Anstey's bike was excluded. As for circuit racing, he started the year in the British Superbike Championship, but a lack of success saw him switch to Supersport, winning first time out before a one-off in the Brands Hatch round of the World Supersport Championship on a Triumph.

Plater spent 2009 with the HM Plant Honda team in Supersport, winning the title ahead of Australian Billy McConnell at the final round. He also stood in on a Superbike at Brands Hatch after Josh Brookes' visa was delayed, falling from the lead in race one but finishing third in race two. In the 2009 Isle of Man Senior TT race, Plater set a new race record, beating team-mate John McGuinness after his chain broke on the fourth lap. He also won the North West 200. He also contested the Le Mans 24 Hour motorcycle race for Honda France.

During Thursday practice for the 2010 North West 200, Plater, who had set the fastest time in Superbike practice on the Tuesday, was injured in an accident. He suffered from a broken arm when he came off his bike at Quarry Hill on the Coast Road section of the course. Subsequent hospital examinations revealed that Plater had fractured his neck.

2011

Plater confirmed his retirement from the roads to concentrate on World Endurance Championship.

After riding

Plater became a motorcycle racing co-commentator/presenter, and in 2015 was appointed as manager of the Prime Factors Racing team for road racing and Endurance. He continues to ride in demonstration events. He is currently a co-host on the podcast "The TT Podcast," on which he interviews persons and riders associated with Isle of Man TT.

Circuit racing career stats

British Superbike Championship

British Supersport Championship

Races by year

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

FIM Endurance World Championship

References

References

1. "BBC - Lincolnshire - Sport - Local lads boost bike show".
2. "BBC - NW200: STEVE PLATER CRASH UPDATE".
3. [http://www.race.iofm.net/plater.htm Steve Plater profile] {{Webarchive. link. (5 July 2008)
4. "Motorcycle Racing Online – Steve Plater's double win at the North West 200". F1network.net.
5. "Bike Animal – Steve Plater injured". Bikeanimal.com.
6. "Q&A: Steve Plater. {{!}} BSB Features {{!}} Crash.Net". Crash.net.
7. "Motorcycle Racing Online – Steve Plater is awarded his début TT win". F1network.net.
8. "Snetterton British Supersport: Steve Plater wins in his first 600 circuit race of the season – Motorcycle Sport". Motorcyclenews.com.
9. "Steve Plater lands World Supersport wildcard – Motorcycle Sport". Motorcyclenews.com.
10. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/8302700.stm Plater delighted to clinch title ]
11. [http://www.crash.net/british+superbikes/news/148214/1/steve_plater_wins_senior_tt.html Steve Plater wins senior TT]
12. (13 May 2010). "Steve Plater hurt in North West 200 practice crash". BBC News.
13. (30 May 2010). "Steve back in hospital".
14. [http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/outcome-of-hand-surgery-to-determine-steve-platers-2013-racing-plans/ Road Racing World] December 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2015
15. [http://www.primefactorsracing.com/bol-dor-beckons-as-lee-johnston-joins-prime-factors-racing/ Prime Factors Racing] 18 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015
16. [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/goodwood-revival/11859479/2015-Goodwood-Revival-GP-motorcycling-stars-renew-old-rivalries.html 2015 Goodwood Revival] ''Telegraph'', Roland Brown, 12 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015
17. "Chris Walker And Karl Harris Confirmed For British Superbike 2009". British Superbike News.
18. "Steve Plater 2009". Steveplater.com.
19. (28 April 2008). "Plater and Martin targeting success at Oulton Park. – Market Rasen Mail (Market Rasen, England)".
20. "Steve Plater 2008". Steveplater.com.
21. [http://www.calcrutchlow.com/2006/final.asp] {{webarchive. link. (21 November 2008)