Rutter returns to winning ways

1:04pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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KINGSWINFORD'S Michael Rutter found a return home to his liking as he raced to his first British Superbikes Championship win since 2005 in round six at Mallory Park.

Rutter used to live just outside the Leicestershire circuit before recently moving closer to his roots by switching to a base in Alveley.

Initially, Rutter's return to Mallory Park threatened to turn sour when he crashed out in race one.

But all that was forgotten in the second race as he edged out the runaway championship leader Shane Byrne on his North West 200 Ducati.

Rutter had qualified in an impressive sixth position but things went wrong just before the start of the first race when problems with his number one bike forced him to switch to his back-up.

But more problems with that bike saw him having to start from 27th on the grid His crash, three laps from home, left him with a damaged hand but all those problems were forgotten with a storming ride in the second race.

Rutter took over the lead on lap four when Michael Laverty slid out on the drying circuit and he then went on to control the race.

"It just shows how quickly things can change in racing," said a delighted Rutter.

"After all the problems we had in the first race I don't think anyone would have expected us to win the second.

"But it turned out that we made the right tyre choice and it is great to get a win again.

"It is not only great for me but also a big boost for the whole team after all the hard work they have put in."

Despite failing to collect any points in race one, the win has moved Rutter up a place in the Championship standings from sixth to fifth.

He is now on 127 points and within touching distance of third placed Leon Camier who is just 33 points ahead of him.

Rutter will seek to build on his win in the next round at OultonPark on July 20.