Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Stuart Easton feels he needs to find some extra pace to battle for a podium for the MCE British Superbike double-header at Brands Hatch this afternoon.

The Motorpoint British Supersport champ failed to make it into Q3 during qualifying yesterday and will start race one from 12th on the grid – not where he wants to be if he wants to get into the top three.

But the Showdown is what’s important to the Scot, and at the moment he is not inside the top six times, something he hopes to change this weekend. Easton’s team-mate, Shane Byrne is constantly on the podium, so the rider feels he has a lot to live up to in the Paul Bird garage.

“The first box that has to be ticked is getting into the Showdown – which is the main aim. We need to find a bit of pace, and we need more speed and at least be in the top six,” said Easton, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the track.

“I have proved that I can be quick enough, but it’s up to me to make it happen without crashing, and the team is good enough on the other side of the garage to win every week - so I just have to be quicker.”