By Richard Petrie BBC Sport

For all its distinguished motorcycling heritage, Northern Ireland has yet to boast a winner of the British Superbike Championship, but this might just be the year.

Jonathan Rea was named Irish Racer Motorcyclist of the Year

Step forward Jonathan Rea.

The 20-year-old from Ballyclare has been knocking at the door in recent seasons and the results of pre-season test sessions indicate that he is ready to fulfil his enormous potential by claiming the prestigious domestic championship.

The HM Plant Honda rider has consistently been fastest in the official practice runs and his confidence is high after finishing fourth in last year's series and winning an array of personal awards in the close season.

He has also overcome a serious knee injury which required surgery after a crash at Mallory Park in October.

"Testing has gone very well, better than I could have hoped, and the fact that I have been consistently fast helps in setting up the bike for the first race.

"I'm feeling in tip top condition, I have a good crew supporting me and I have brought all the mechanics I had last year with me to the HM Plant team so I'm happy from that point of view as well," said the Honda rider.

Rea will lock horns with his fellow Superbike stars for the first time at Brands Hatch on Easter Monday and he cannot wait to get going.

"Last year's Red Bull Honda was good but this year I have a full factory machine and it is just mega.

"I have the full might of HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) behind me and a dedicated set of tyre technicians flown in for every race from the Michelin factory in France for my team-mate Kiyo (Ryuichi Kiyonari) and myself.

I don't really have any favourite circuits although Mallory Park is one I'm not so keen on Jonathan Rea

"I don't feel under pressure from anyone else but I set high standards for myself and nothing less than first in the championship will do this year.

"I am happy with the speeds and the times I am setting but racing is always different to testing and I want to make sure I get consistent results and points on the board from the very start."

The competition at the front is likely to be hotter than ever this year and Rea is under no illusions that his mission will be a difficult one.

"The Ducatis are a strong overall package, and with Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla on board, will be very fast, but Kiyo as defending champion, Shane Byrne, Cal Crutchlow and Chris Walker will all be in contention.

"Brands is a really good track and I'm looking forward to racing there but I don't really have any favourite circuits although Mallory Park is one I'm not so keen on - for obvious reasons."

"I have confidence in myself that I can do the job and I'm always out to win but some days things may not go your way and on those occasions you just have to keep plugging away and collecting precious points."

There are plenty of Ulster accents in the British race paddocks these days but Rea will miss the friendship of one of his best mates.

"Eugene (Laverty) has moved on to compete in the world championship so I won't be hanging round with him this year but I am friendly with most of the riders round the paddock so it won't be a problem."

And does the talented Rea have ambitions to follow his buddy onto the big stage in the future?

"Yes, it's definitely something I want to do and hopefully if I make my mark by winning this series, it will put me in the shop window and make a few people sit up and take notice," he concluded.