Maidstone's Scott Smart admits he is now riding for pride in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship after controversially being disqualified during round eight at Snetterton.

The 35-year-old looked set for a bumper weekend at the Norfolk circuit after finishing qualifying as the second fastest rider just behind championship leader Jon Kirkham.

Moto Rapido rider Smart failed to convert that into a podium finish but looked to have done enough to pick up 11 points after taking the chequered flag in fifth.

However, following routine bike checks at the end of the race officials judged Smart’s bike to be below weight restrictions and duly threw him and his result out.

Smart (pictured) – who as a result sits 102 points away from leader Kirkham with 31 in total – insists he now has little left to play for following the decision.

"The whole championship has been bitterly disappointing for us and what happened at Snetterton is just another example of that," said Smart.

"If we can carry the speed we had in qualifying through to some of the next rounds then we have a chance of climbing the table but I think that’s just about the best we can hope for.

"It was a good solid weekend for us before we found out we had been disqualified and it was pretty unbelievable to be told that I had been."

British Eurosport 2 will be broadcasting every round of the 2010 MCE British Superbike Championship. The channel is available on Sky 411 and Virgin Media 525.