VPI Classic with clamp

Dear all,

i have the VPI classic 1 with the big aluminium platter and deluxe clamp.

in the centre of the alu platter there is a small ring glued below the vinyl. I believe the theory is that the vinyl floats a little above the platter and with the clamp you press it slighty conic to the platter.

Now the small ring made from some kind of textile is broken, can i buy this somewhere seperately?

Or is a full slipmatt a (better/worse) option? What is your experience please?

thx

Dries