From a press release issued by AIM Yamaha: With the opening round of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike championship set to take place at Brands Hatch on Sunday, a new season of racing beckons for AIM Yamaha who are fielding Lincolnshire rider Steve Plater in the Superbike class and West Yorkshire’s Ian Hutchinson in the 2008 Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport championship. Plater has also taken on the role of team co-ordinator and as well as riding the AIM Yamaha R1 the 35-year-old race ace will oversee the day-to-day running of the team leaving Steve Mellor to concentrate all his time into engine preparation. The Snetterton test was badly affected by the weather conditions with neither rider able to get out on track to test the new 2008 machines. However, the 07 bikes were used at the Guadix test to find a base setting after the switch from Dunlop to Pirelli tyres, which will give the team a platform to build on. STEVE PLATER TEAM CO-ORDINATOR The test at Gaudix went well and with all teams on Pirellis this year we should see a more level playing field and some closer racing in both the British Superbike and Supersport classes this year. Although we were unable to test at Snetterton we found some good base settings from Gaudix to play with. Most teams are in the same position as no one has tested at Brands Hatch and we will all go into the first round with a new tyre manufacturer and most with new machinery. But I am confident the team can work around the obstacle and we can get out on track and be competitive. I feel very comfortable with the Brands Hatch GP circuit and tend to go well there. I have had numerous podium finishes in the past so am hoping I can bring two strong results home for AIM Yamaha. Ian Hutchinson is more than capable of producing some top results for AIM Yamaha this year. I can see him challenging for race wins and I have every confidence in him being a championship contender in the Supersport class from the off. The action begins at Brands Hatch on Friday with free practise followed by qualifying on Saturday to determine grid positions for racing on Sunday. The first 20-lap Superbike race is scheduled to start at 1.15pm with race two at 4.30pm and the 18 lap Supersport race is due on track at 3.30pm.