Michael Laverty is the reigning British Supersport champion

Toomebridge's Michael Laverty begins his challenge for the British Superbike title at Brands Hatch on Sunday, riding the Relentless TAS Suzuki.

"My target is to finish in the top five in the championship but a place in the top three would really make me happy.

"I would've liked more time on the bike but most people will be saying the same thing so from that point of view it's a level playing field," said Laverty.

"The team have built a good bike and I am readapting my style to a Superbike."

Laverty conceded that Brands Hatch, along with Thruxton, was not among his favourite circuits, but added that he won races at both courses on his way to winning the British Supersport title last year.

Defending champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, Jonathan Rea and Gregorio Lavilla have all left the championship but Laverty faces stiff competition from the likes of Shane Byrne, Tom Sykes, Leon Camier, Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow.

"Some of the top guys from the last few years are no longer here but I know it is going to be as competitive as ever.

"There will be some rivalry between our Suzuki team and the Rizla Suzuki team, as they have factory backing behind them, but it will not be one of my priorities and I will be concentrating on my own performances," added Laverty.

Michael's brother John will ride in the BSB Privateers Cup, after his Ducati was barred from taking part in the British Superstock championship.

Meanwhile, Lisburn's Ian Lowry, another Relentless Suzuki runner, is one of the favourites to win the British Supersport series.

His main challengers will include road race specialists John McGuinness and Ian Hutchinson, Dennis Hobbs, Steve Brogan and Hudson Kennaugh, with Castlerock's Marty Nutt and Omagh's BJ Toal also in the field.

Adrian Coates should be a frontrunner in the Superstock category, and other Northern Ireland hopefuls Alistair Seeley, Stephen Thompson and Marshall Neill could also make a strong impact.

Nikki Coates flies the flag in the Juniorstock class and Nicole McAleer competes in the 125cc race.

Michael Laverty won the Enkalon Trophy for the first time, beating Relentless TAS Suzuki team-mate Cameron Donald by just 2 seconds at Bishopscourt.

Marshall Neill, Bruce Anstey, Gary Johnson and Michael Pearson completed the top six while Toomebridge's Laverty also won both Irish Superbike rounds.

Ian Lowry was a double Supersport 600cc winner and William Dunlop and Ryan Farquhar both took a 250cc victory.

Nigel Percy won both 125cc races and Alan Glasgow both Minitwins events.

Scobie Killough was a double sidecar winner at the windswept County Down circuit on Saturday.

In the first Irish Superbike race of the day, Laverty was a start-to-finish winner with Neill seeing off Donald in a thrilling battle for second place, then Pearson, Brian McCormack and Alistair Seeley completing the top six.

Laverty again came home ahead of Neill and Donald in Superbike race two, with Pearson, Johnson and Denver Robb following close behind.

British championship hopeful Lowry won the first Supersport race by nine seconds from Donald, Keith Amor was third, Marty Nutt fourth, Dunlop fifth and Derek Shiels sixth.

Race two saw Lowry beat Amor with Anstey completing the podium and Nutt, Donald and Dunlop the next finishers.

Dunlop beat road race rival Farquhar in the first 250cc race but Farquhar took the honours from Paul Robinson in race two.

Percy, Robinson and Mark Lunney was the finishing order in both 125cc races.

The action continues at Kirkistown on Easter Monday, with another full programme of races.