Plater doubles up and changes team.

Steve Plater will be competing in both Bennetts British Superbike and British Supersport championships at Hampshire's Thruxton race circuit this Easter weekend.

Plater began the British Superbike season onboard the Dienza Kawasaki, however a series of mechanical gremlins and a qualifying crash at Brands Hatch have prevented him from actually taking to the track in anger and he is yet to start a race this season.

Keen to kick-start his season, Plater has moved to the JJL/UK Diggers Superbike Team on their Honda CBR-1000RR Fireblade. Plater has been eager to get on board a Fireblade after his success on one at the North West 200 road race where he finished a very close second to Michael Rutter.

"I tested for the JJL team in Spain during the winter and soon realised their professionalism and dedication towards becoming a household name in the highly competitive British Superbike Championship," he said. "I can't wait to turn my season around, I'm just dead eager to get some racing in."

As well as moving Superbike team, Plater has been drafted in to replace the injured Chris Burns for the AIM Yamaha Supersport Team onboard the all-new R6. Burns suffered from a couple of broken bones in his foot after a crash in the treacherous conditions at Donington Park last weekend, he hopes to return for the Mondello Park round. That leaves Thruxton and Oulton Park for Plater to race in both categories.

"Supersport is where I learnt my trade winning many races before moving up to Superbike. I'm really looking forward to riding the new R6 for the AIM Team and hope we can enjoy the taste of champagne together," grinned Plater.