HEATHFIELD'S Dave Heal is hoping to go one better in this year's British Superbike Championship.

Heal, 34, finished second in the privateer class last season, picking up a string of trophies along the way.

Only mechanical problems at key moments of the season prevented Heal from becoming overall privateer champion and now he is even more determined to win the crown he missed out on.

Heal, the only professional racer in Sussex, has signed up again with Myco Motorsport and will be riding Honda's new SP1 when the British Superbike Championship gets underway at Brands Hatch this weekend.

The former British 600 champion has had only one testing session on the Honda due to its late arrival from Japan, but he has heard good reports about the new machine.

Heal said: "The bike has been looking really good in World Superbike testing and a lot of people are talking about it.

"I am feeling really fit, I have got myself a personal trainer and I am looking forward to the season.

"I am pretty confident of winning the privateer championship, especially as Paul Young, last year's champion, has a works drive this year.

"But I am also hoping to make an impression on the overall championship."

Although Heal admits it may take him a couple of races to get used to the new bike, he is excited by its potential.

He said: "I think this is the best chance I have had for a long time of proving myself in Superbikes.

"The bike is going to be good. Everyone is feeling good about it and I think good things are around the corner."

Heal was testing at Cadwell Park on Tuesday ahead of the Brands Hatch meeting and his next outing will be at Donington Park on April 9.

CRAWLEY teenager Oliver Merrilees suffered a false start to the new season.

Sixteen-year-old Merrilees was due to make his debut in the Aprilia 125 series at Mallory Park in Leicestershire last weekend but mechanical problems meant he was unable to compete.

Merrilees is due to be in action again in the second round at Brands Hatch this weekend.

CLIMPING racing driver Leo Forster claimed his second podium finish of the season in the Formula Ford Zetec Silverstone Championship when he finished third in the second round of the series last Sunday.

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