Ryuichi Kiyonari recorded the fastest ever two-wheeled lap of the Silverstone International circuit to claim pole start for the double race ninth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, but he was still only a split second faster than his series leading HM Plan Honda team-mate Michael Rutter.

Kiyonari, who is bidding to become the first Japanese rider to win the British crown around the 2.213 mile Northamptonshire circuit in a time of 1m 26.111secs, an average speed of 92.51mph to not only beat the previous pole record held by Rutter, but also out-pace him on the day, albeit by a tenth of a second.

The exciting 22 year old is full of confidence, having returned triumphant from his homeland where he won the Suzuka Eight Hours race, while Rutter, who holds a 45 points advantage over him in the title stakes has recovered from the broken collarbone and dislocated shoulder sustained in a crash during qualifying for the previous round.

Rutter had good fortune on his side when he slid off at the high speed Abby Curve during the afternoon session, escaping without injury, and although he returned to the track on his spare bike, he was unable to improve on his time.

Gregorio Lavilla, the Spanish rider who is third in the title stakes, moved into third place on the leaderboard, a split second faster than his front-row completing Airwaves Ducati team-mate Leon Haslam.

Aussie Dean Thomas was fifth fastest aboard the Hawk Kawasaki, with a lap of 1m 26.419s, just ahead of the Rizla Suzuki of reigning champion John Reynolds, Vivaldi Kawasaki rider Scott Smart and James Haydon.

Michael Laverty, riding the Stobart Honda, heads the third row, with Glen Richards, who crashed his Hawk Kawasaki during the second session, Gary Mason, and the Virgin Mobile Samsung Yamaha duo of Tommy Hill and Sean Emmett in close contention.

James Buckingham, the leader of the British Superbike Cup, headed the qualifying for that class, running a third of a second faster than Marty Nutt with Steve Brogan third best.

ends