Isle of Man TT News
Isle of Man TT star Steve Plater – who was injured during the North West 200 – could return to action next month.
Plater, who was the 2009 TT Champion, broke his left arm in two places when he crashed while practising at Portrush in May. It was later discovered he had also suffered a broken bone in his neck.
He under went a series of operations to have his arm and the fractured vertebrae pinned and plated.
The crash forced him to miss the 2010 TT, as well as losing the chance to defend his lead in the 1000cc National Superstock Championship.
The 2009 Senior TT winner now hopes to make his racing return on the British short circuit scene over the August Bank Holiday.
The HM Plant racer is still suffering from nerve damage in his arm and hand, but the intensive treatment in the hyperbaric chamber is proving to be beneficial and Plater is anticipating a return to the track shortly.
Steve Plater says: “I saw the surgeon last week and he is happy with the way the bones have healed. I have still got some nerve damage in my arm but he said my neck is stronger than before the accident so I am aiming for my return to racing at Cadwell Park in six weeks time.”
“I have been given the go-ahead to train properly now and am using some weights. I have also been doing some press ups and it doesn’t hurt so that’s promising. I just need to get some strength back in my arm and then hopefully I can get the go-ahead from the medics and be passed fit to get back on the bike.”
Plater was at the weekend round of the British championship at Snetterton, supporting the HM Plant Honda British Superbike team and took on brolly duties for Ryuichi Kiyonari in Saturday’s race.
Plater continues: “I held the brolly for Kiyo on Saturday and then did some PR for the team and their sponsors in the hospitality unit. It was a normal weekend for me except that I wasn’t racing. I have been busy with the physio etc for the last few weeks so haven’t really missed racing but I must be getting better as I am itching to get back out there now.”
Plater is aiming to attend some track days and get laps under his belt prior to the Cadwell Park race. Despite missing six rounds of the campaign the Lincolnshire rider still holds sixth place in the rider standings and is still in with an outside chance of lifting the trophy at the end of the season.
