Leon Haslam is banking on an action replay of his dramatic victory in the corresponding round of last year at Croft to put his bid for the Bennetts British Superbike crown firmly on track.

Then the Airwaves Ducati rider pulled off an audacious last corner, last lap move at the North Yorkshire circuit to snatch the glory - it was a magical moment for the Derbyshire rider, and it set him off a run of form that took him to the sharp end of the title scrap only to be denied at the final hurdle by Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Haslam is in a better position in the title stakes than he was on his previous visit to this circuit with its own brand of challenges. He is currently third overall adrift of the HM Plant Honda duo of Kiyonari and the highly talented Jonathan Rea.

They are fighting out their own high-speed duel for supremacy but in each of the previous two rounds they have each had a `dnf' and that has allowed the consistent Haslam to make up ground on them. He is now the only rider in the championship to have scored points in every round.

However Haslam has enjoyed the winner's champagne only once so far this term, at Mondello Park back in June, but from them he has taken podium finishes in four of the next six races. Importantly in the previous round at Mallory Park he powered his Ducati to a third and then a second to move within 15 points of Rea and only 31 down on the series leading Kiyonari.

“Considering that Mallory is one of our worst tracks I am over the moon that I have come here and pulled back eleven points on the championship leaders,” reflected Haslam, although typically self-critical, he continued: “Possibly I could have got two wins there but I was finding it really difficult to overtake so I have happy to go away with solid points and progress.”

The three week break since that round has enabled Haslam to recharge his batteries and ensure that he is mentally and physically fit for the challenges that lie ahead in the final third of the campaign.

“We've had a bit of a rest but now its back to business and the start of the last leg of the season. I am feeling good and we have some of my favourite circuits coming up; I think I will be able to put in some good performances in the next few rounds.”

There are still 200 points to be played for, and with that in mind the chase is wide open, something that is not lost on his Airwaves team-mate, former champion Gregorio Lavilla who is playing catch-up after a bout of mid-term blues.

Shane `Shakey' Byrne has put himself into the frame with a first victory in over year aboard the Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda, and he will be gunning for more, with his team-mate Tom Sykes overdue success.

Adding to the front-running action expect to see Karl Harris, still disbelieving that Haslam managed to beat him in the corresponding round of last year, together with the Rizla Suzukis of Chris Walker and Cal Crutchlow. Michael Rutter will have the boost of an upgraded engine in his Isilon MSS Discover Kawasaki while Tommy Hill needs a strong performance aboard the Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha.

Around the Superbike action there is a packed supporting programme including the three rider - Michael Laverty, Ian Lowry and Dennis Hobbs - scrap for the Maxxis British Supersport title. Add to that Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship and Cup action, British 125GP Championship and Virgin Media Cup racing.

Practice and qualifying is through Friday and Saturday with racing on Sunday.

Sundays Bennetts Superbike, Metzeler Superstock and Virgin Media Cup races will be extensively covered "live" on television with a three and a half hours live broadcast on ITV 4 and ITV 1 starting at 12.30pm with all the days six race action covered on Sky Sports Xtra later at 9.00pm.  

ends.