Michael Rutter heads the chase for the Bennetts British Superbike crown going into the double race fourth round at Oulton Park on Bank Holiday Monday, 2 May, and the HM Plant Honda rider is eager for more of the victor's champagne.

He enjoyed that for the first time last Sunday as he powered to a winning Mallory Park double, moving ahead of his team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari who was ruled out the action as he took a bruising in a heavy tumble early on in the opening race.

The exciting Japanese rider, unbeaten prior to that, faces a race against time to be back in action at the Cheshire circuit, and, along with Sendo Kawasaki rider Steve Plater, will be having a scan to determine his fitness to participate.

Rutter, the runner-up last year, is keen to build on his success, and is eager for Kiyonari to be back on track: "I would rather have been winning with him out there and am keen for more success - there is a long way to go in the championship and my focus is all about winning races.

There's no doubt that the bike is going well at the moment and the input from both HRC and Michelin has been invaluable - we're seeing the fruits of our labour now," smiled Rutter who holds a 19 points advantage over his team-mate.

"I aim to be riding at Oulton Park, and I was happy for Michael that he took the victories - I feel OK except for a bit of a sore head and neck and will be out there if I am fit to ride," said Kiyonari who has bitter-sweet memories of the circuit from his first visits last year.

Between them the two Honda riders have won all six races so far, but the opposition is closing in on them. Gregorio Lavilla, whose presence in the Airwaves Ducati team for the remainder of the season has been confirmed, is riding superbly and poses a real threat, although he has not ridden the circuit before.

He is looking to build on his third place in the overall rankings, earned by five top three finishes, but will be hard pressed by his team-mate Leon Haslam, who is putting some top performances together.

That is also the case with Hawk Kawasaki's Glen Richards who is putting together hard charging performances to be on the fringe of the title scrap while Sean Emmett, his arm injury improving, is keen to take seasonal first glory aboard the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha.

Last year, Rizla Suzukis dominated, winning all four races at the circuit, and the team, bidding to re-live those heady times, have called in James Haydon to deputise for their injured defending champion John Reynolds who has been battling bravely to race on, despite suffering a badly broken right leg five weeks prior to the start of the season.

Reynolds will also miss the Mondello Park round as he fully recovers from those injuries while for Haydon, it is a repeat of his 'super-sub' role of last season and comes just a week on from him agreeing to stand down at the Airwaves team, having missed the opening action through injury. He lines up alongside Scott Smart in the team.

Meanwhile Jeremy McWilliams, the former grand prix rider, is hoping to put an end to his nightmare return to domestic action by putting in a couple of strong and positive results aboard the Stobart Honda.

Liverpudlian Steve Brogan will be looking for local support in his efforts to tighten his grip on the British Superbike Cup, but is under pressure from Chris Martin and James Buckingham.

Around the two Superbike races expect to see a terrific front-running scrap for supremacy in the Metabo British Supersport Championship between the series leading Leon Camier, former champion Stuart Easton and Jason Vincent.

Ian Lowry has to defend a single point lead over Mark Pollock in the Virgin Mobile Cup and in the British 125cc Championship, former title holder and local favourite Christian Elkin is aiming to complete a hat-trick of victories.

Lee Jackson has the edge over Andy Tinsley in the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship, but neither can relax with Craig Fitzpatrick and Adrian Coates hot on the charge.