CARL Fogarty is ready to turn the clock back in order to go even faster in his bid for a third World Superbikes Championship.

The Blackburn speedster is riding high at the top of the championship going into today's qualifying practice at Laguna Seca in California.

Fogarty won his two championships with Ducati in 1995 and 1996.

And after a year with Honda last year he returned to the Italian outfit for a crack at this year's crown.

But the perfectionist believes his new bike is slower than the machine he rode two years ago.

Fogarty said: "I am riding a different bike and it is not the same as it was two years ago.

"Although I am leading the championship I am not 100 per cent happy with the bike.

"I want to test the old bike again.

"And that might happen after Laguna but some people don't like going back to the old when you have something new.

"I'm convinced I could go faster on the older bike."

Fogarty has struggled in his previous two outings at Laguna. And that is in contrast to team-mate and close friend Neil Hodgson, of Burnley, who has been in the States all week trying to prove his fitness after breaking his knee in a freak accident last month.

Hodgson had his only rostrum finish at the track last year and is desperate to defy doctor's orders and return to action.

Both tested well at Lagauna Seca earlier this year - Fogarty setting an unofficial new lap record.

He added: "I have had time to get used to the circuit and I now let the bike flow whereas I perhaps used to steer myself round the track."

Chief threat to the Ducatis will be American John Kocinski, appearing in his own backyard.

And there is no love lost between Fogarty and the American crowds - or riders.

He added: "They do not like me too much.

"I have never had too much time for Americans and I have often been battling them for the championship.

"Some of their fans think I'm ace and others hate me.

"But that doesn't bother me."

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