Plater and McConnell shape up for Oulton scrap

Everything hangs on the final race of the British Supersport series at Oulton Park this weekend with Steve Plater leading Billy McConnell by just 11 points.

At Silverstone two weeks ago the pair clashed whilst fighting for second and while McConnell was second across the finish line, he was demoted to third after punting the championship leader off the track.

Plater said: “The pressure is definitely still on me, even though I have 11 points over Billy going in to the weekend. If he wins, I need to finish third, so without a doubt I need to finish on the podium.

“There is no room to relax. Eleven points is nothing when it is this close and we are both desperate to win; you saw that at Silverstone.

“I don’t even want to think about not winning the title; I have missed out twice before and I certainly don’t want it to happen to me again.”

The pair are equal on race wins (three each) but while Plater finished every race, McConnell only failed to score points once this year – at Snetterton due to mechanical failure. 

Plater has been on the podium eight times compared to McConnell’s seven, but the Australian has started from pole six times this year while Plater has failed to take the top spot in qualifying.

McConnell said: “This is the grand finale and the last chance for me to get a win. I am going to Oulton Park to win, not worry about where Steve is in the race.

“I just hope that he finishes a bit down the order, maybe fourth or below and the title could be there for me.