Thanks for the feedback guys, Chris I am not that heavy footed!!! Did not miss a shift or select a wrong gear before problem occurred, I had looked at the side plates but had not actually heard of anybody bending the original even with more power/torque in Ultimas, Gt40s etc.
Bob is checking to see if he can get another plate made otherwise off to California Motorsport although I will get stung a little on VAT/import duty.