Consistency is the keyword for Michael Rutter as he powers into the second half of the campaign which he intends will bring him maiden title glory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

The Leicestershire based rider has the upper-hand, leading his HM Plant Honda team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari by 43 points, as they go into the double race eighth round at the super-fast Snetterton circuit.

There, they expect to continue their high-speed duel for supremacy, although Gregorio Lavilla riding the Airwaves Ducati has shown the speed and hard-riding determination to challenge them, beating them twice so far to be third in the standings and poised to push for the crown.

Rutter is at his most determined, and has worked with Michelin on tyre testing, following on from his pair of second placings to the runaway race winning Kiyonari in the recent Knockhill round.

"I have to do something about him, and start beating him - I cannot allow him to keep winning," Rutter reflected - he is all too well aware of the enormity of the job in hand. Kiyonari, now in his second term in the country's top series, is proving a fast learner of the circuits.

"I do many laps, gain experience, then go fast," the exciting 22-year-old smiles. "I ride hard to beat Michael - he is a very good rider and also wants to win races and the title. So do I."

There are no team-orders, their factory prepared Fireblades are identical, and it is down to the riders. Kiyonari has a remarkable record of winning eight of the ten races that he has finished - he was third in the other two.

But for the high-speed crash at Mallory Park back in April which ruled him out of four races, he would be in a much stronger position, but his game of 'catch-up' is providing breathtaking speed and action.

Rutter is ready to deal with him, building on the second and third placings he scored at the Norfolk circuit last year as he aims to add to his three wins so far - he has not enjoyed the winner's champagne since May and is now thirsting for more.

Lavilla has to finish ahead of the Honda duo to maintain his hopes of the crown, but he in turn has to overcome serious in-team challenges, with Leon Haslam, the only other rider to enjoy a victory this season, eager to build on his current fifth place in the rankings.

The emerging force of Michael Laverty aboard the Stobart Honda adds to the intriguing front-running scrap, with reigning champion John Reynolds, virtually back now to full fitness certain to be pushing hard on his Rizla Suzuki on a circuit where he enjoyed success last year.

Keep an eye also on the Hawk Kawasaki riders Glen Richards and Dean Thomas who are strengthening every race to be long overdue a victory while Scott Smart continues his seasonal rebuilding process aboard the Vivaldi Kawasaki.

Tommy Hill spearheads the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha effort, with Sean Emmett still recovering from an elbow injury, while James Haydon, coming to terms with his Rizla Suzuki, should be asking questions out front.

The race within a race for the British Superbike Cup added further dimensions, with James Buckingham riding the Quay Garage Suzuki looking for more class honours to head off the threat posed by Steve Brogan, Chris Martin and Marty Nutt.

Around the two Superbike races, there is also action counting to the Metabo British Supersport Championship, the British 125cc Championship, the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship and Cup and the Virgin Mobile Cup.

Rizla Suzuki

Rizla Suzuki's James Haydon will be building on the momentum that saw him post the fastest lap time at a recent Dunlop tyre test when he goes to the eighth round of the British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk this weekend.

It will be the 30-year-old's second race as a permanent member of the Rizla Suzuki team and already he is showing a real affinity with his GSX-R1000. Testing at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire last week, he set the quickest lap time and made progress with his bike set-up using new Ohlins gas-charged forks.

"The Croft test gave us time to work on the issues I experienced at Knockhill the weekend before," explained James. "Those are now dealt with and we are moving forward.

"I know how important it is that you have a fast bike at Snetterton. The Revett straight is very long and you need a motorcycle capable of 200mph if you want to be in with a shout. My Rizla Suzuki has the horsepower, Dunlop has developed some awesome new tyres and I'm up for the challenge - roll on Snetterton."

British Superbike Champion John Reynolds continues his fight back to form from the broken leg that marred the first half of his season. A front row qualification and two strong top 10 finishes at the previous round at Knockhill in Scotland have given him heart.

JR said: "The Croft test was useful and helped me to get back up to race speed just by doing lots of laps. James was a revelation using the new Ohlins gas forks and was fastest on the day. I have a plan to test the same forks during practice at Snetterton to see if they can help me.

"Racing in British Superbikes is at an incredibly high level and getting back on the podium is testing me to my limits. I am pushing myself through new barriers, gritting my teeth and working at racing like I have never had to before. I hate losing and my biggest motivation is to get back to winning again as soon as possible."