Edwards is bidding to win both races as he looks to use the advantage of his home circuit to reduce the points deficit to series leader Troy Bayliss.

"I think I can make the home round advantage count," says Edwards. "Laguna Seca is one circuit where I should be able to beat Troy. A lot will depend on how the new Michelin tyres take to the Laguna track but it's been so far so good with tyres at every circuit we've been to this year."

Former champion Edwards and defending champion Bayliss have made the series their own in 2002 and only Honda wild card rider Makoto Tamada has been able to break the pair's stranglehold on race wins.

Edwards, now 117 points ahead of third-placed Neil Hodgson, is also setting records with 15 consecutive podium finishes so far this year.

"I'm not too bothered about records," Edwards admits. "I'd rather get 20 points back on Troy and give him a real fight to the end of the season. Honda's working hard back in Japan so neither Honda or Colin Edwards has given up on this year's title."

Mark Heckles will give the Castrol Honda Rumi machine its debut at Laguna Seca as the 24-year-old also makes his first appearance at the 2.24-mile California circuit.

"I'm not sure what to expect, all everyone seems to talk about is the Corkscrew part of the circuit," says Heckles. "I know it's going to be a bit tricky, especially with a few American wild card riders thrown in too."

Heckles is 24th in the championship and hopeful of a strong finish to his first year in the World Superbike championship aboard the HRC kit SP-2 machine.

"It's been a demanding first year with the team and the new machine but we've arrived at a little bit of consistency," Heckles adds. "After Laguna Seca we've got the last four rounds, all on circuits I know so I think there's every chance of breaking into the top 20."

World Supersport action takes a break with the 600cc aces not making the transatlantic journey to Laguna Seca. The World Supersport championship resumes with round nine at Brands Hatch on July 28.

Laguna Seca data:
Superbike:
2001 Qualifying: Ben Bostrom (Ducati) 1m 25.248s
2001 Superpole: Ben Bostrom (Ducati) 1m 25.705s
2001 winner: Ben Bostrom (Ducati) x 2
Lap record: Troy Corser (Aprilia) 1m 26.144s (July 2001)

World Superbike championship points after eight of 13 rounds: 1 Troy Bayliss, Australia (Ducati) 360, 2 Colin Edwards, USA (Castrol Honda) 311, 3 Neil Hodgson, GB (Ducati) 194, 4 Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Aprilia) 182, 5 Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati) 165, 6 Ruben Xaus, Spain (Ducati) 152, 7 James Toseland, GB (Ducati) 107, 8 Chris Walker, GB (Kawasaki) 97, 9 Gregorio Lavilla, Spain (Suzuki) 84, 10 Pier-Francesco Chili, Italy (Ducati) 77. Manufacturers points: 1 Ducati 370, 2 Honda 316, 3 Aprilia 182, 4 Kawasaki 134, 5 Suzuki 84, 6 Yamaha 16, 7 Benelli 8.