Swan Yamaha riders Tommy Hill and Michael Laverty will both be hoping its second time lucky as they get ready to take part in the BSB Championship Showdown, starting this weekend. Both riders were involved in last year's Showdown with Hill crashing in the penultimate race at Oulton Park, effectively costing him the title.
12 months on, Hill begins the Showdown as the leader with 529 points, seven ahead of Shane Byrne, but is refusing to get too far ahead of himself.
“It feels good to be leading the championship standings into the Showdown but this is racing and we know how fast things can change. The last time I rode at Donington Park was in 2007 but we know that we have a strong package with the Swan Yamaha and we are full of confidence ahead of the event. I am taking the Showdown race by race and we need to remain consistent – but not too consistent as every point is crucial and we need to be finishing ahead of the other Title Fighters to maintain our position.”
Shaun Muir's squad are the form team heading into the Showdown after winning each of the last four races, including all three at Cadwell Park. Michael Laverty was the leader in two of them and knows that victories will take on even greater importance from this weekend onwards.
“I am looking forward to it as Donington Park has always been one of my favourite tracks. I think some of the changes we made at Cadwell Park just clicked and that little bit extra we were looking for we found. We did a few laps around there a few weeks' back and we know we have good pace so I am feeling ready for the races. The whole season is about building for the Showdown and I am mentally prepared for it and I just want to get stuck in now for those wins. We need to try and win every race as inevitably whoever wins the most is going to be champion. We need to be riding on the edge and taking those chances to win as the last seven races are the most important of the season.”
