Rizla Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama set a blisteringly quick lap time on race rubber to take pole position for tomorrow's 10th round of the British Superbike Championship at Croft.

Croft is new to the BSB calendar for 2004 and Factory Suzuki racer Yuki used his experience of learning tracks quickly along with his immense riding talent to dominate the practice and qualifying sessions, finishing up with pole position on his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000.

Series leader John Reynolds was second on the time sheets until the dying seconds of qualification, when he was edged back to sixth on the grid. On the pace using race rubber, JR left the pit-garage vowing to be fighting for the podium in Sunday's two races.

JR leads the Championship by 73-points from Honda's Michael Rutter going into this round. Racing starts at 1:15pm on Sunday, August 15th.

Yukio Kagayama: "Thank you my team staff for helping me take pole position. This morning I ride hard and my Rizla Suzuki feels very fast - I set pole position lap time using race tyre. This afternoon I try many small changes and make same lap time and learn more about this circuit.

"I think over race distance we have a fast bike and I think maybe a good chance to get satisfactory result. I want to win races for my fans and Rizla Suzuki, this is my main aim for rest of season."

Michael Rutter has maintained his record as the only rider to start every race from the front row of the grid in the 2004 British Superbike Championship. The HM Plant Honda Racing rider powered his CBR1000RR Fireblade into second place at Croft during the hot afternoon session with a fast time of 1:20.950.

The 31-year-old Leicestershire rider was just 0.046 seconds behind Yukio Kagayama’s pole position of 1:20.904. Second position on the grid had been held by championship leader John Reynolds throughout the morning session and until five minutes before the end of the second qualifying period.

However, a final dramatic charge from Rutter saw the HM Plant Honda Racing rider steal the front row position and relegate his main adversary for the title onto the second row. With just four of the 13 rounds remaining, Rutter is concentrating on collecting as many podium finishes as possible.

Michael Rutter: “I’m pleased to be on the front row again. It’s good news for me, especially as John [Reynolds] is starting from the second row. My aim is to try and win both races. I’ve got everything left to work for, so the championship certainly hasn’t been wrapped up yet.”

Karl Harris has qualified on the front row for tomorrow’s British Supersport Championship race at the 2.127-mile Croft circuit. It is the eighth time this season that the HM Plant Honda Racing rider has started in the top four.

Sheffield-based Harris is determined to ensure that a Yorkshireman wins at the North Yorkshire track during its inaugural British Supersport round this weekend. Although he has never previously visited Croft, the 24-year-old put in a fastest lap of 1:23.576 – only 0.089 seconds down on pole position Leon Camier (Honda).

A race win at Croft will mean that the defending champion will extend his already strong 36-point advantage and increase his chances of claiming the 2004 title for HM Plant Honda Racing aboard the all-conquering CBR600RR.

Hot and sunny conditions resulted in a track temperature of 37 degrees for the afternoon qualifying session. Harris improved on his morning times by nearly one second to move from eighth to second on the grid in the highly competitive Supersport series.

His new team-mate Billy McConnell also showed a vast improvement on the Red Bull Rookies Honda CBR600RR from the morning session. Despite running off the track on the last lap, Australian McConnell improved his time by nearly two seconds with a fastest time of 1:25.921. He will start the race from 23rd on the grid.

Karl Harris: “It’s always good to start the race from the front row and try to get an early lead. My aim for the whole season has been to win races and it is still the same. I’ve got a good advantage, so I’ve just got to make sure that I hang onto it.”

Billy McConnell: “Croft is a bit like one of the circuits I know in Australia, so it hasn’t been too much of a shock. There’s still a lot to get used to at the moment with the new bike, tyres and team. I’m a little disappointed with my position because I’m used to finishing in the top five in Superstock. I’m just really pleased to have the chance to race in Britain, especially with a professional team like Red Bull Rookies Honda.”