THE British Superbike Championship arrives in Hampshire this weekend.

Qualifying for round seven begins at Thruxton today with Tommy Bridewell hoping to shine on his home circuit.

With the Championship at its midway point, Bridwell is keen to bounce back from crashing at Brands Hatch last week by strengthening his position in the top six.

Bridewell, from Devizes, has missed the points only four times in 12 races this year and won at Oulton Park back in May.

But that remains the Tyco BMW ace’s only podium finish this year – a statistic he is eager to rectify in front of family and friends this weekend.

Flat out “I need to ride more within myself rather than pushing too hard and crashing like I did at the last round,”said the 26 year-old, one of several BSB starts to visit West Quay yesterday.

“I have never really had a good track record at Thruxton, mainly through bad luck, and I obviously want to turn that around as it’s a circuit I like because it is so fast.

“The race for the title is far from over but I need to be finishing on the podium.”

BSB newcomer Luke Mossey, who rides for Bournemouth-based Quattro Plant Kawasaki, is hoping to improve on his seventh place at Brands Hatch last week.

“It’s been a hard first year, the standard is higher than it’s been for a long time,” said the 22 year-old.

“I enjoy Thruxton as it’s quite fast so it’s flat out on the corners. I’ve won two races there before and was second there in the British Supersport Series in 2013 and 2014. Hopefully I’ll get a top-five finish.”

Salisbury-based Gearlink Kawasaki are also racing on their home circuit.

The other ‘home’ rider is John Hopkins. The former MotoGP and World Superbike Championship star is based in Portsmouth when he is over from California.

Following an encouraging debut aboard the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati 1199 Panigale at Brands Hatch, ‘Hopper’ said: “I’m really looking forward to Thruxton, especially on this bike as it should suit the fast and flowing track.”

l Tickets are available on the gate, priced from £7 for Friday entry, £14 on Saturday and £32 on Sunday. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free.