Leon Haslam dictated terms in free practice for the double race ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone, powering his Airwaves Ducati top of the leaderboard with a series of consistently fast laps on a drying track.

His best lap came in a time of 1m 27.664s, easing him clear of Glen Richards and Gregorio Lavilla, to boost his hopes of taking the victories he needs to stay in contention for a late season challenge for the crown.

Haslam, fourth in the standings, was building on the progress made earlier in the month during a productive test session at the Northamptonshire circuit: "That was really successful and gave me plenty of confidence for the remaining rounds.

“We've been battling for results at all the circuits this year and have suffered a few niggly problems. I'm hopeful that they won't reoccur in the remaining races and we can challenge for race victories. I like Silverstone and am pretty confident.”

Karl Harris was fourth fastest, running a third of a second ahead of Ryuichi Kiyonari, who is buoyant after his recent success in the Suzuka Eight Hours race, and ready to continue his scrap for the crown with his HM Plant Honda rider Michael Rutter.

They are separated by 45 points, with Rutter, now fully recovered from the broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder suffered in a crash during qualifying for the previous round, determined that he will further tighten his grip on the crown.

“I've been so close to it several times, and now I am fully focussed on winning the title,” said Rutter whose determination was underlined as he rode through the pain barrier at Snetterton to take fifth and third placings.

“Time has been on my side, with the lengthy break since that round - I'm back and ready and enjoy racing this circuit where I had a win first time out on the bike last year.”

Rutter, however, was back in tenth place on the leaderboard, a little over a second down on Haslam, and that after twice leading the session, as did reigning champion John Reynolds, also back to fitness after suffering horrific leg injuries in a crash during pre-season testing.

The Rizla Suzuki rider was a tenth of a second down on Rutter, after using his spare bike for much of the session.

Steve Brogan, despite a tumble during the rain-lashed morning session, set the pace in the British Superbike Cup, running half a second ahead of the series leading James Buckingham, with Chris Martin third fastest.

ends.