IRISH bike ace John Laverty produced a top five finish for Redditch-based Buildbase Racing in the British Superstock Championships at Snetterton but admits it was a frustrating weekend.

The Norfolk circuit is one of the rider's least favouriteS and he found himself off the pace around the quick track.

And teammate Tristan Palmer also suffered, battered and bruised after being knocked off his bike in qualifying.

"It could have been better, but a solid fifth is OK especially as Snetterton isn't a track I particularly like," Laverty explained.

The Ulsterman qualified fourth and the start of the race saw him immediately on the pace and in line for another podium finish.

For the opening six laps he played a waiting game and held fourth before making his move on lap seven to go third. Two laps later he was up to second and poised to take the lead but he was passed back on the straight and relegated down to fourth.

From that point Laverty was unable to match his rivals for top speed along the fast back straight and had to settle for fifth spot at the finish and come away with 11 championship points.

The rider added: "I got a good start and had worked myself up to second and was about to go for the lead when Luke Quigley and Marshall Neil came past on the straight.

"I was struggling a bit for straight line speed but was able to claw the time I lost back through the Bomb Hole Corner and the fast right.

"It's OK but we need to improve our position next time out and I'm hoping to test a new specification front tyre which should really help us."

Team-mate Palmer saw his weekend start strongly when he set the fastest time in the opening practice session only to be knocked off his bike by race rival Howie Mainwaring in final qualifying.

Mainwaring was subsequently excluded from the race meeting for dangerous riding, but this still left Palmer battered and bruised from his high speed crash and his Buildbase Suzuki GSXR1000 badly damaged.

The team then faced the tough task of rebuilding the bike in time for the race which Palmer started from 15th on the grid. A good start saw hi m climb to 12th but his injuries and battered confidence saw him off his usual pace and he was unable to improve his position.

"It's been a nightmare really," Palmer said. "I was the fastest at the start of the weekend but after the crash I just wasn't able to continue doing those lap times."