Rutter takes NW 200 pole

Michael Rutter went through the speed trap in 196mph

Michael Rutter will be on pole position for the Superbike races at Saturday's Junction One North West 200.

Rutter was fastest in Thursday's rain-affected practice session with a time of 108.62mph.

With all the main riders well down on the lap record of 123.36, John McGuinness was next best on 108.50 with Ian Lougher third on 107.68.

While overall times were slow, Rutter did clock a record 196mph during the university stretch of the circuit.

Local hopefuls Richard Britton, Adrian Archibald and Ryan Farquhar also experienced problems in Thursday's superbike practice.

Archibald failed to register a qualifying time and his TAS Suzuki team will now hope that the stewards use their discretion to allow him to gain entry to Saturday's main races.

Britton's Rizla-Suzuki suffered serious vibration problems while Farquhar managed only a few laps on his Kawasaki before switching back to last year's Suzuki.

"It will be a toss up as to which bike I ride on the day," said Farquhar.

Thursday's wet conditions meant that Tuesday's grid times from the production, 600cc, 125cc and supersport 400cc classes could not be bettered.

Top qualifiers

Superbike: M Rutter 108.62mph, J McGuinness 108.50, I Lougher 107.68.
Production:
I Lougher 114.41, R Rainey 112.84, R Frost 112.73, L Shand 112.52, P Cranston 112.91, S Thompson 112.11
600cc
B Anstey 112.30, M Rutter 112.12, J McGuinness 111.96, M Finnegan 111.79, R Britton 111.24, C Ramsay 110.61
125cc
D Lindsay 100.34, C Palmer 99.66, M Wilcox 99.02, M Curtin 98.58, I Lougher 98.53, W Dunlop 97.63
Supersport 400
Alex Donaldson 100.16.