Steve Plater failed to secure his third podium in a row when his AIM Yamaha developed a fault forcing him to pull in at the end of lap three of the Fuchs/Silkolene British Supersport race at Oulton Park on Sunday.
 
The two qualifying periods were run in differing weather conditions being 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.
 
“I have no idea what caused the bike to slow, it will be stripped down next week in an effort to solve the problem before the next round at Knockhill,” said Plater.
 
Meanwhile Steve has a busy few weeks ahead of him as he jets off to Suzuka in Japan today (Monday) to compete with Yamaha Austria in the World Endurance eight hour race at the high profile circuit.
 
“I have never ridden there before,” said Plater. “But both my teammates, Steve Martin and Igor Jerman have so they will be able to pass on their extensive track knowledge to me. Suzuka is one of the most difficult circuits to learn but although it is challenging, it is also one of the best and safest circuits in the world and I am relishing the thought of racing there. The Suzuka eight-hour race is a huge event on the racing calendar and the Japanese class it as higher profile than MotoGP.”
 
On his return from Japan Plater has a week’s respite before setting off to Oschersleben in Germany for the next eight-hour World Endurance race for Yamaha Austria on August 9, an unfortunate date clash with the Knockhill round of the British Supersport championship.