DENBY DALE’S Tom Tunstall is fully focused on challenging for honours in the Mirror.co.uk Superbike Cup at Donington Park this weekend.

Tunstall bagged two fourth-place finishes in the privateers’ competition at Oulton Park last time out, to get his season up and running after a crash in the opening race at Brands Hatch.

The Hardinge Doodson Motorsport Honda rider, who finished fourth in the Superbike Cup last year and third 12 months earlier, now has 26 points to his name but is already up against it in his bid to land the overall title with Gary Mason racking up four successive victories.

But while Mason is expected to again set the pace in the East Midlands on Bank Holiday Monday, Tunstall is determined to focus only on himself in a bid to close the gap on his 30-year-old rival.

“The start of the season has not gone to plan but after the issues we had at Oulton the most important thing is we get our house in order and ensure the preparation of the bike and team is spot on and not worrying about the past,” said Tunstall.

“At the first round at Brands Hatch I had my best ever qualifying in BSB and before the season started I had a really good testing session in Spain where I was doing some really good lap times.

“So I know I have the ability to do well and we just need to make sure as a team that we get everything running well and then the results will come.

“The cup has been quite interesting so far but I don’t think anyone is that surprised to see Gary Mason going strong, he is one of the most experienced riders in BSB and he is on a good bike.

“But the main thing for me is to make sure my own house is in order and not think about anything else and if I can do that then I’m sure I can get on the podium at Donington Park.

“At Brands Hatch I was only a couple of tenths behind Gary Mason so I know I can be up there and if we can get everything in place then I’m confident I can do it.”

Tunstall has fond memories of Donington Park having scored double podiums on his last two visits to the circuit.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to Donington Park, it’s a great circuit and one I have traditionally done well at as well as being keen to prove what we can do,” added Tunstall.

British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next race Donington Park on Monday, May 25, and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com