Rutter leads the way in Norfolk.

Michael Rutter underlined his determination to regain the early season chase for the THINK! British Superbike Championship as he set the pace in free practice for the double race third round at the super-quick Snetterton circuit in Norfolk.

The HM Plant Honda Fireblade rider goes into the races trailing Rizla Suzuki rider John Reynolds by a single point but is confident that he can head off any challenges.

"I'm looking forward to the races - it is such a fast track and I am sure that the power characteristics of the Fireblade are well suited to it," said Rutter. "I want to get back ahead in the points and am looking forward to getting back onto the top step of the podium."

Rutter's best lap came in a time of 1m 06.237s, an average speed 106.09mph, but Reynolds was not far adrift, running just 0.304secs slower. The Suzuki rider remains upbeat.

"The racing is mega tight this year and despite winning more races than anybody else, I still only have a one point lead in the championship," said JR. "The harder the racing gets, the harder I will race and the more determined I am to win."

Aussie Dean Thomas was third on the leaderboard, a tenth of a second up on MonsterMob Ducati rider Sean Emmett who is keen to take back-to back victories, following his success at Brands Hatch, to make further inroads in the advantage of the leading duo in the title stakes.

Steve Plater, riding the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha, set fifth best time, despite taking a tumble at around 160 miles an hour - he escaped unscathed as did James Haydon, the former Foggy Petronas rider, who returns to the series on a 'one-off' basis aboard the ETI Ducati as rider replacement for the injured Stuart Easton.

He crashed at Russells, as did Yukio Kagayama, who escaped with a shaking, setting seventh best time, slightly slower than the Hawk Kawasaki of Scott Smart.