Ryuichi Kiyonari takes a one point lead over Gregorio Lavilla into the double race penultimate round at the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Donington Park on Sunday 25 September and that should ensure a fast, frantic and fiece 'shoot-out' for supremacy.

Neither rider can afford to lose as they power into the action at the Leicestershire Grand Prix circuit for races that could provide the decisive action in the chase for the country's premier crown.

The way was paved for this terrific winner takes all confrontation was set-up earlier in the month at Oulton Park where the exciting 22 year old Japanese rider charged his HM Plant Honda to a winning double, taking the second race of the day at the Cheshire circuit by inches, or officially 0.004 seconds, from Lavilla.

That fast, desperate dash to the finish line by Kiyonari gave him the lead in the title stakes over his Airwaves Ducati rival who could hardly believe he had been beaten, as he had held the advantage going into the final corner.

Those heroics put Kiyonari on course to become the first Japanese rider to win the British crown - already he was won a dozen times this season, but a couple of crashes have cost him dearly, allowing first his team-mate Michael Rutter and then Lavilla to head the points tables.

Rutter, having ridden strongly for much of the season, has lost the initiative with a run of ill-fortune that has seen him tip-off his bike in each of the last three rounds and now he is playing 'catch-up,'£ trailing the leading duo by 36 points, and a mountain to climb if he is secure the title that he has come so close to claiming in recent years.

Twice the runner-up in the series, Rutter knows that he too has to go all out for victories, but given the pace and confidence of both Kiyonari and the 30 year old Spaniard Lavilla, that is a tough order.

Kiyonari, who has already sealed one major prize, winning the £30,000 Audi Quattro Performance Award, as a result of his consistent speed over qualifying and racing, has a simple strategy. "Win races, ride hard, finish well - in that way the championship takes care of itself."£ He knows the Donington circuit well, having enjoyed his first victories in the series there, chalking up a winning double in the finale to the 2004 season.

Life however will not be that simple for the leading trio in the championship with other riders keen to impress. Leading them will be Nottingham's John Reynolds, the defending champion aboard the Rizla Suzuki. A pair of third placings last time out, the result of characteristic hard riding, show that he is back to form and fitness following a long recuperation for the serious leg injuries sustained in a pre-season testing crash.

Leon Haslam, riding the second Airwaves Ducati, is keen to take a third victory of the season on 'home' ground and at a circuit where he has a strong pedigree, while both Glen Richards and Dean Thomas are eager to impress aboard their locally prepared Hawk Kawasakis.

Tommy Hill is riding well aboard the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha and needs another strong performance, as does his team-mate Sean Emmett, while Scott Smart, returning from injury is looking for a strong finish aboard the Vivaldi Kawasaki.

James Buckingham, already assured of British Superbike Cup glory, is keen to turn on the speed and style again, pushing his Quay Garage Suzuki hard, as he bids to catch the eye of team-bosses, in his efforts to secure a factory backed ride for next season.

Around the two Superbike races, there is plenty more hot-action. Leon Camier, riding Padgetts Honda, knows that solid points will ease him towards the Metabo British Supersport Championship crown, with his rivals Craig Jones and Cal Crutchlow in must win situations.

British 125GP pace-maker Rob Guiver is under threat from defending Champion Christian Elkin, with James Westmoreland also well in contention while in the Metzeler National Superstock Championship Lee Jackson defends a four point advantage over Paul Young, with Adrian Coates a further three points down.

And in the Virgin Mobile Cup Bill McConnell knows that another victory will ease him clear of threats posed by Jon Boy Lee, Brendan Roberts and Tommy Bridewell.

ends