Rizla Suzuki rider John Reynolds powered ahead of his rival Michael Rutter with a seasonal first winning double in the previous round at Oulton Park, to open up a 43 points advantage, but Reynolds from nearby Nottingham is not thinking about riding tactically for points.

"I want to win the title from the front, like a true champion - that is what racing is all about," smiled Reynolds, who has tasted the victor's champagne on seven occasions already, but none was sweeter than that he earned at the Cheshire circuit.

"That was my first winning double for a long time, and it could not have come better - I was hungry there - I want the championship, that is what racing is all about, but, the week between that round and Donington will seem an awful long time."

Rutter, riding the HM Plant Honda, trailed Reynolds home in both races at the penultimate round and is almost resigned to having to settle for second best in the title stakes. "John will have to make a big mistake to lose the title now, but, in this sport anything can happen."

He is intent on a winning end to the season, to show what might have been, and for these races is expected to be joined in the team not only by series regular Ryuichi Kiyonari but also Karl Harris, who retained the British Supersport title for a second year. The Sheffield rider graduates in Superbikes with Honda next season and will be given a taste of the Fireblade's power at the Leicestershire grand prix circuit.

His presence will add spice to the front-running pack in which Yukio Kagayama, aboard the second Rizla Suzuki and Scott Smart on the Hawk Kawasaki continue their duel for third place in the overall standings, with Sean Emmett still in with a chance of heading them both off if he can add to his two race victories in his sign-off appearance with the MonsterMob Ducati team.

Emmett, among others, is keen for strong showings with next season in mind, and that could provide some classic confrontations. James Haydon, drafted into the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha squad at the time of Steve Plater's injury, is long overdue a second victory of the season, while Plater himself needs a positive showing.

James Ellison, the 23 year old Cumbrian rider, is already assured of the Superbike Cup - the series within the main championship for independent teams and riders - but, before he jets away to ride in the final rounds of the World MotoGP Championship, he is keen to add another couple of victories, at the expense of local rider Jon Kirkham from Derby.

There is still all to play for in the double race finale to the National Superstock Cup. Danny Beaumont has the advantage following his success at Oulton Park, but by only 11 points from the reigning champion Andy Tinsley. Packed in behind him, and separated by only a further five points are both Ben Wilson and Tristan Palmer.

Eugene Laverty has the upperhand in the chase for the British 125GP Championship crown - the young Ulsterman is 14 points ahead of Christian Elkin who tumbled out of the previous round, while in the British Supersport Championship Michael Laverty still has a chance of heading off Leicester's Jason Vincent in the scrap for runners-up spot to Karl Harris.

Adding to the action are the final rounds of the Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup, the National Superstock Cup and the Benelux Kawasaki ZX6-RR Cup makes it's second appearance of the year to the UK.

Practice and qualifying begins on Friday 17 September (09.00-17.40) and continues into Saturday 18 September from 09.00, with three races during the afternoon from 15.30 counting to the National Superstock Championship, Benelux Kawasaki ZX6-RR Cup and the National Superstock Cup.

Action begin at 09.00 on Sunday 19 September with warm-up practice for all classes, with the first of the day's seven races, the final of the National Superstock Championship getting underway at 11.15. Following on from the pit-lane walkabout, the first of the two THINK! British Superbike races starts at 13.15, the second at 15.45. In between are the Yamaha R6 Cup and the British Supersport Finals, with the meeting rounded off by the British 125GP and National Superstock Cup Finals.

Adult admission is £5 Friday, £10 Saturday and £20 Sunday. A paddock transfer charge of £5 is applicable on Sunday. Accompanied children aged 15 year and under are admitted free of charge on all three days.

ends