More short circuit success for TT stars
Monday 28 September 2009
TT
There was more podium joy for Isle of Man TT stars John McGuinness and Steve Plater at the weekend.
The pair – who were both winners for the HM Plant Honda team at the 2009 TT – both scored second places at the latest rounds of their respective British championship series at the Silverstone circuit.
Although McGuinness and Plater scored well, both races were tinged with controversy, with both riders being involved in collisions.
For McGuinness it was a fourth podium in a row, and sixth of the year, in the National 1000cc Superstock Championship. After celebrating victory at Croft, McGuinness continued his fine form at Silverstone with pole position – his first short circuit pole since 2001.
He slipped back to second at the start, but soon took the lead from Adam Jenkinson. McGuinness held on to the number one spot until lap seven when his Padgetts Honda teammate Steve Brogan went past. The top six positions continued to swap throughout the following laps until, on lap 11, any hopes of a second victory for McGuinness disappeared when Brogan ran into the back of his machine.
The Morecambe rider rejoined in fourth and with a damaged seat on the Fireblade, but he dug deep and managed to recover to a fighting second, less than a second down on winner Jenkinson.
McGuinness said:
‘Everything’s going good at the moment and I’m delighted with the results I keep chalking up.’
‘I got an okay start, but had soon got into the lead and felt I had the pace to go away when Brogie came past me. I sat behind him for a couple of laps and then overtook him again, determined to make the break once and for all this time.’
‘I was at the apex of Abbey when all of a sudden he hit me side on – I knew nothing of it and never even saw him coming – and it was all feet down as I bobbled and weaved my way round the corner. How I stayed on I’ll never know as he gave me a fair old whack, but I managed to re-group, although it did take me a lap or so to fully get my concentration back.’
‘I’m disappointed not to have got the win, but it was another good ride and another podium, whilst I’ve also pulled a few more points away from Richard Cooper in the battle for third.’
‘Brogie was full of apologies afterwards and it was just a racing incident that can always happen at those tight hairpins. He’s been my mate for years and I’m not about to fall out with him now so we’ll look to get on the top step of the box again at Oulton.’
Meanwhile, 2009 Senior TT winner Plater extended his lead in the British Supersport Championship to 11 points with one race to go.
It was a controversial result, however, with Plater being promoted to second after being barged off the track by title rival Billy McConnell. The two-times TT winner looked set to take second place ahead of McConnell, until, with just a handful of corners left, the pair collided and Plater was forced onto the grass. He crossed the line in third place and, it seemed, would head to the last round with just a three point lead.
However, the incident was investigated after the race and it was decided to promote Plater to second and demote McConnell to third.
Plater said:
‘It was a good race; I followed Billy for a long way and then made my move on him at the chicane with three laps to go.’
‘I tried to get my head down and pull away, but Billy was faster in some places and stuck with me, and then we had a bit of a coming together on the last lap, but I managed to get second and extend my lead.’