MH Motorsport rider Michael Howarth has been doubling up this weekend as he takes part in both the Ducati 848 Challenge and Metzeler National Superstock 1000 races.

Unfortunately, portly northerner Howarth was unable to qualify for tomorrow’s Superstock 1000 race due to electronic issues but after today’s first 848 Challenge race, he is 20th on the grid for the second race tomorrow afternoon after running at the front in wet free practice.

“I put in a time this morning but the bike just kept cutting out so I only got half a session. We turned the traction control off but it was still happening and then replaced a few sensors but couldn't get rid of this issue. We eventually disconnected the quick-shift to resolve the issue but by the time we’d done that, it was too late. We need four to drop out to get on the grid for tomorrow,” said Howarth, speaking to bikesportnews.com this morning.

“I got the Ducati 848 bike on Friday and went out that evening. On my first lap I went to second in the wet but unfortunately I woke up this morning to sunshine. We went out in qualifying and after two laps the oil pressure sensor went and I was black flagged leaving me 22nd.

“I went into the race with no practice starts and only two dry laps under my belt and the no practice starts played dividends. Off the start I went backwards to about last but managed to battle through to 20th. If it’s wet I’ll get a podium and in the dry I’m hoping to get in the top ten but a points finish wouldn’t be too bad," added Howarth, who has just picked up some sponsorship from Twitviewme.uk