Clutch backing plate for bearing support

A clutch assembly comprising:

• a first set of clutch plates and a second set of clutch plates interweaved with the first set of clutch plates, the second set of clutch plates being coupled to a rotatable input shaft;
• a stationary backing plate mounted about the input shaft, the first set of clutch plates being coupled to the backing plate, the first set of clutch plates and the second set of clutch plates being compressed together with one of the first set or the second set of clutch plates abutting against the backing plate when the clutch assembly is engaged;
• a gear set, the input shaft coupling the clutch assembly to the gear set when the clutch assembly is engaged;
• a connecting hub coupled to a rotor hub so that the connecting hub and the rotor hub rotates at the same speed, the connecting hub having a generally annular shape defining an interior region and being disposed between the clutch assembly and the gear set;
• and
• a bearing disposed in the interior region of the connecting hub and between the connecting hub and the backing plate such that the backing plate provides bearing support to the connecting hub and the rotor hub.