AIM Yamaha have parted company with Ian Hutchinson with immediate effect and after the amicable split the team will not now be contesting the Ulster GP. The Bingley rider indicated that he was stepping down because he thought he was not giving the AIM Yamaha R6 justice as he has lost his way in terms of short circuit racing and failed to make a significant impact in the British Supersport championship. He qualified in 15th place at Knockhill but did not take part in Sunday’s race. He will be replaced in the AIM British Supersport team by 19-year-old David Paton from Loanhead near Edinburgh who did an excellent job for the team when he rode Steve Plater’s AIM Yamaha R6 at Knockhill on Sunday. Deputising for Plater who was in Germany on World Endurance duties with Yamaha Austria, Paton was on fine form and after hopping on the bike for the first time immediately posted P3 in practice going on to consolidate a front row start in third place less than a fifth of a second away from pole. An amazing feat for the young rider who was riding for the first time in the wet on board a fully blown 144BHP Supersport bike. But his success was not to last as, after settling into seventh place in the hotly disputed 27-lap British Supersport race, he began to drop down the order after encountering a technical problem with the bike that eventually forced him to retire after 10 laps. Although it was a disappointing end to his debut race Paton proved his capabilities and will be anxious to get back on the bike at Cadwell Park on August 25 when he will be joined by Steve Plater for round nine of the series.