Relentless Suzuki's Michael Laverty took a spin around the new Arena circuit at Silverstone yesterday as he sets his sights firmly on the Showdown stage of the championship following Cadwell Park.

Laverty took his sixth podium finish at the final Snetterton race last weekend and the team were back on track yesterday ahead of the Brands Hatch triple-header round in just over two weeks' time as he looks to maintain his championship position.

Talking to the BSB website Laverty said: "It was a useful day for us on track yesterday and it was important for us to get out there on track and learn it before we go there later in the season; especially as some of the other teams have already. Silverstone is the penultimate round in the Showdown, so if we are inside the top six, which is looking likely, then we can't afford to give anything away there. It was only a track day but it gave us a rough idea on gearing and how our base setting will work around the new circuit.

"I learnt a few things over the Snetterton weekend after we went completely the wrong direction with settings in practice on Friday, but at least we can rule that out now and I ended the weekend on the podium and with an extra podium credit on the tally. Brands Hatch is going to be a big weekend for Suzuki so we are all going with high expectations and I certainly want to be back on the podium again to score as many podium credits as possible."

The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is a triple header at Brands Hatch GP on 6/7/8 August. Advance adult weekend admission tickets cost just £30 online with children aged 12 and under admitted free. Limited grandstand and camping tickets are also on sale now. For more information and to book visit www.brandshatch.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000.