STEVE PLATER WINS WORLD ENDURANCE RACE Woodhall Spa racing star Steve Plater rode to a tremendous victory with Team Kawasaki France in the second round of the FIM World Endurance series at Albacete in Spain on Saturday night to move to just one point away from the series lead after two rounds. The six-hour race took place from 6pm midnight local time with the two-man Kawasaki France team comprising of Steve and Spanish rider Julian Mazuecos starting from third on the grid. The two riders took turn about to ride the bike for a one-hour stint each time, switching riders at every fuel stop. “The starting positions were determined by the amalgamated times from the three riders and gave us a start position of third. Although all three took part in qualifying, it was just myself and Julian Mazuecos that actually went out in the race with Gwen Giabbani sitting it out this time,” explained Steve. “Because Julian is Spanish and was actually racing at Albacete a couple of weeks ago he elected to start the race. He didn’t get a brilliant start, being fifth on the first lap, but within four laps had hit the front on the green and black Kawasaki.” By the end of his first session after 41 laps and one hour, Julien had extended his lead to over 11 seconds and pretty much dominated the session, breaking the lap record in the process, setting a new best time of one minute 32.690 seconds. But when Steve set off on his first outing he chose a different compound for the front tyre and struggled a bit, losing time with each lap. Then it began to rain quite heavily and to cut a long story short Steve went for a safe ride to bring the bike home for the changeover with the lead reduced to just over three seconds. As the race progressed into the night the two riders rode well to extend their lead to over 20 seconds with Julian Mazuecos shaving a further tenth of a second from the lap record set earlier in the race, this time a lap of one minute 32.451 seconds was recorded. Throughout the closing stages Steve was pushing really hard and the lead was extended to around a minute and the Lincolnshire rider finally crossed the finish line at the end of the six hours with over a lap in hand to take the race win for Kawasaki France. “Because we are now very close to the series lead, just one point behind the Team Suzuki current world champions we will definitely be contesting the third round in Suzuka,” said Steve. “Its good to be back at the top of the podium and it feels really nice to be in contention for a world championship title.” Steve was originally heading directly to Oulton Park from Albacete to contest round four of the British Superbike campaign with AIM Yamaha but his connecting flight from Spain was delayed and he was unable to get to the circuit in time for qualifying. “We are not in the running for the title so it isn’t the end of the world,” said Steve. “I am now on my way over to Ireland for the North West 200. I will be riding for AIM Yamaha in the two Superbike races and possibly the Supersport race as well.” Steve won both Superbike races in 2006 and will be looking for more of the same this time around. Qualifying is on Tuesday and Thursday with roads closing at 10am Saturday in preparation for the first race due to begin at 11am.