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Steve Plater

{{Short description|British motorcycle racer (born 1968)}}

{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{update|date=November 2015}}

{{Infobox motorcycle rider

| image= Steve Plater.jpg

| name = Steve Plater

| caption = Steve Plater

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1968|8|22|df=y}}

| birth_place = Luton, England

| nicknames = Buster

| nationality = English

| TT Contested = 3 (2007 – present)

| TT Wins = 2

| TT First win = 2008 Supersport TT

| TT Last win = 2009 Senior TT

| TT Podiums = 3

}}

Steve Plater (born 22 August 1968, in Luton) is a former English motorcycle road racer. He was the 2009 British Supersport champion, and also finished as runner-up in the series twice in the late 1990s. In the British Superbike Championship he has 4 wins and 17 further podiums.

He won the prestigious Isle of Man Senior TT, North West 200 and also enjoyed success at Endurance racing. For 2015/2016, Plater is manager of a race-team, and rides in demonstration events. He lives in Woodhall Spa,{{Cite web |title=BBC - Lincolnshire - Sport - Local lads boost bike show |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2006/01/16/local_riders_at_spalding_bike_show_feature.shtml |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.bbc.co.uk}} Lincolnshire,{{Cite web |title=BBC - NW200: STEVE PLATER CRASH UPDATE |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nw200/2010/05/steve_plater_crash_update.html |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en}} and is involved in property development with his father.

Race career

Having briefly raced speedway in his teens, he started his working life as a bricklayer, beginning racing in 1994 and winning his first ever race at Cadwell Park.[http://www.race.iofm.net/plater.htm Steve Plater profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705143215/http://www.race.iofm.net/plater.htm |date=5 July 2008 }} 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{{cite web|url=http://www.f1network.net/main/s180/st96457.htm |title=Motorcycle Racing Online – Steve Plater's double win at the North West 200 |publisher=F1network.net |accessdate=3 November 2008}} )

He missed the start of 2006 due to injury,{{cite web|url=http://www.bikeanimal.com/content/view/1240/65/ |title=Bike Animal – Steve Plater injured |publisher=Bikeanimal.com |accessdate=3 November 2008}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.crash.net/motorsport/bsb/feature/12382-0/qa_steve_plater.html |title=Q&A: Steve Plater. {{!}} BSB Features {{!}} Crash.Net |publisher=Crash.net |accessdate=3 November 2008}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.f1network.net/main/s180/st129854.htm |title=Motorcycle Racing Online – Steve Plater is awarded his début TT win |publisher=F1network.net |accessdate=3 November 2008}} 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{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/june/9-15/jun1508snetterton-british-supersport-steve-plater/?&R=EPI-101099 |title=Snetterton British Supersport: Steve Plater wins in his first 600 circuit race of the season – Motorcycle Sport |publisher=Motorcyclenews.com |accessdate=3 November 2008}} before a one-off in the Brands Hatch round of the World Supersport Championship on a Triumph.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sport/sportresults/mcn/2008/july/28-31/jul2909-steve-plater-world-supersport-ride-brands/?R=EPI-102000 |title=Steve Plater lands World Supersport wildcard – Motorcycle Sport |publisher=Motorcyclenews.com |accessdate=3 November 2008}}

File:Steve Plater No 22 2009 BSB.jpg

Plater spent 2009 with the HM Plant Honda team in Supersport, winning the title ahead of Australian Billy McConnell at the final round.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/8302700.stm Plater delighted to clinch title ] 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.[http://www.crash.net/british+superbikes/news/148214/1/steve_plater_wins_senior_tt.html Steve Plater wins senior TT] 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/8680762.stm|title=Steve Plater hurt in North West 200 practice crash|agency=BBC|date=13 May 2010|accessdate=13 May 2010|work=BBC News}} Subsequent hospital examinations revealed that Plater had fractured his neck.{{cite news |url=http://www.steveplater.com/pages/News/2010/backInHospital.html|title=Steve back in hospital|agency=Steve Plater Website|date=30 May 2010|accessdate=13 June 2010}}

2011

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

After riding

{{expand section|date=November 2015}}

Plater became a motorcycle racing co-commentator/presenter,[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 and in 2015 was appointed as manager of the Prime Factors Racing team for road racing and Endurance.[http://www.primefactorsracing.com/bol-dor-beckons-as-lee-johnston-joins-prime-factors-racing/ Prime Factors Racing] 18 September 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015 He continues to ride in demonstration events.[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 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

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center"
valign="top"

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Yr

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Class

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Team

!colspan=2| BHI

!colspan=2| OUL

!colspan=2| DON

!colspan=2| THR

!colspan=2| SNE

!colspan=2| KNO

!colspan=2| MAL

!colspan=3| BHGP

!colspan=2| CAD

!colspan=2| CRO

!colspan=2| SIL

!colspan=3| OUL

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Pos

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Pts

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Ref

R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R3

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R3

2009

! BSB

!Honda

| style="background:#efcfff;"| Ret

| style="background:#ffdf9f;"| 3

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! 20th

! 16

!{{cite web |url=http://www.britishsuperbikenews.co.uk/chris-walker-and-karl-harris-confirmed-for-british-superbike-2009/254 |title=Chris Walker And Karl Harris Confirmed For British Superbike 2009 |publisher=British Superbike News |access-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611092356/http://www.britishsuperbikenews.co.uk/chris-walker-and-karl-harris-confirmed-for-british-superbike-2009/254 |archive-date=11 June 2009}}

2009

! BSS

!Honda

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfffdf;"| 11

| colspan="2" style="background:#ffffbf;"| 1

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2

| colspan="2" style="background:#ffffbf;"| 1

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfffdf;"| 11

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfffdf;"| 7

| colspan="3" style="background:#ffdf9f;"| 3

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2

| colspan="2" style="background:#ffffbf;"| 1

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2

| colspan="3" style="background:#ffffbf;"| 1

! 1st

! 215

!{{cite web|url=http://www.steveplater.com/pages/reports/2009/BSB_R2.html |title=Steve Plater 2009 |publisher=Steveplater.com |accessdate=13 June 2010}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center"
valign="top"

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Yr

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Class

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Team

!colspan=2| THR

!colspan=2| OUL

!colspan=2| BHGP

!colspan=2| DON

!colspan=2| SNE

!colspan=2| MAL

!colspan=2| OUL

!colspan=2| KNO

!colspan=2| CAD

!colspan=2| CRO

!colspan=2| SIL

!colspan=2| BHI

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Pos

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Pts

! style="vertical-align:middle;" rowspan="2"| Ref

R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

!R1

!R2

2008

! BSB

!Yamaha

|

|

| style="background:#efcfff;"| Ret

| style="background:#dfffdf;"| 12

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! 28th

! 4

!{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-178421478.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026095142/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-178421478.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2012 |title=Plater and Martin targeting success at Oulton Park. – Market Rasen Mail (Market Rasen, England)|via=HighBeam Research|date=28 April 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010}}

2008

! BSS

!Yamaha

|colspan=2 |

|colspan=2 |

|colspan=2 |

|colspan=2 |

| colspan="2" style="background:#ffffbf;"| 1

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2

| colspan="2" style="background:#efcfff;"| Ret

| colspan="2" style="background:#fff;"| –

| colspan="2" style="background:#ffffbf;"| 1

| colspan="2" style="background:#fff;"| –

| colspan="2" style="background:#ffdf9f;"| 3

| colspan="2" style="background:#dfdfdf;"| 2

! 5th

! 106

!{{cite web|url=http://www.steveplater.com/pages/reports/2008/bsb_r6_SS_snetterton.html |title=Steve Plater 2008 |publisher=Steveplater.com |accessdate=13 June 2010}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center"
valign="middle" | Yr

!valign="middle" | Class

!valign="middle" | Team

| BHI
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| DON
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| THR
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| OUL
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| MON
{{flagicon|IRE}}

| MAL
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| SNE
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| KNO
{{flagicon|SCO}}

| OUL
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| CRO
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| CAD
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| SIL
{{flagicon|ENG}}

| BHGP
{{flagicon|ENG}}

!valign="middle" | Pos

!valign="middle" | Pts

!valign="middle" | Ref

align="left"| 2006

!align="left"| BSS

!align="left"| Yamaha

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#dfffdf;"| 7

| style="background:#dfffdf;"| 7

| style="background:#fff;"| Can

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#fff;"|

| style="background:#dfffdf;"| 8

| style="background:#fff;"|

! 21st

! 26

![http://www.calcrutchlow.com/2006/final.asp] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121092833/http://www.calcrutchlow.com/2006/final.asp|date=21 November 2008}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{official website|http://www.steveplater.com/}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-sports}}

{{succession box|title=Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Winner |before=Michael Rutter|after=Stuart Easton|years=2006–2007}}

{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plater, Steve}}

Category:Sportspeople from Luton

Category:English motorcycle racers

Category:Isle of Man TT riders

Category:British Supersport Championship riders

Category:British Superbike Championship riders

Category:Supersport World Championship riders

Category:Living people

Category:1972 births

Category:Superbike World Championship riders

Category:Motorsport announcers

Category:People from Woodhall Spa