MICHAEL Rutter has happy memories of Knockhill but couldn’t add to them during MCE Insurance British Superbike round five.

The MSS Bathams Kawasaki rider celebrated BSB victory at the Scottish circuit back in 2010 — a performance that helped him finish fifth in the overall standings that year.

However, Rutter is facing a battle to get back up to such heights this season having completed just one race.

The Kingswinford ace took the chequered flag in 10th in race one but was forced to retire in race two and now sits 15th in the overall standings with 36 points.

Since finishing third in the first race of the season, Rutter’s best is an eighth during race one at Oulton Park in May.

He said: “It’s always nice to come up to Knockhill — I won here in 2010. Things aren’t going too bad at the moment, we’ve had a bit of bad luck this season but we are hoping our luck will change.

“I almost lost the bike during qualifying but I had to put it to the back of my mind. I overshot the corner and that left me quite far back.

“At Knockhill you need to get a good start and be on the first two rows. I seemed to be struggling a lot in the first and last corner — I couldn’t pass people.”

Rutter is capable of challenging the BSB front runners and his form on the roads gives weight to that following victory at the North West 200 and Isle of Man Tourist Trophy this year.

But he insists it is time to stop talking about those wins and start concentrating on breaking into the BSB top-six that break off into the Showdown for the overall title after round nine.

He added: “I’ve not had much chance to rest since the TT; it was hard work for the team to get everything ready for Knockhill.

“The North West 200 was fantastic, the road has treated me well, but it’s about getting back into the BSB now though.”

But there was better news for Brierley Hill’s Luke Quigley, whose GB Moto team enjoyed their strongest weekend since stepping up to Superbikes from Superstock last winter.

Quigley finished 14th and 15th in both races, after qualifying 16th, to make it four consecutive points scoring finishes.

He said: “I'm really happy with two points scoring results here at Knockhill.

“I think the team have moved forward some more, so I hope we can keep it up for Oulton Park in the next round.

“The bike is feeling better every session. Being competitive with these factory teams isn’t something that will happen overnight but we’re well on our way.

“I'm ready to push on to the top-10 now, although it will still need a bit of luck.”

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