The Scot believes that his home race provides him with the perfect opportunity to put the skids on Airwaves Yamaha’s unrelenting march to the British Superbikes championship crown and he’s even promising to foot the drinks bill if he can secure the top podium place.

To date, only Sylvain Guintoli has managed to beat Airwaves Yamaha pair Leon Camier and James Ellison, with Camier taking eight wins from ten BSB races so far this season but Easton his talking up his chances of victory at Knockhill.

Easton was close to double race winner Camier at Thruxton two weeks ago, with a second and a fourth putting him third in the rider’s standings heading into round six at his home circuit.

“I can’t wait to get there. It is my home round and I hope that all the Scottish fans will come and get behind me,” said Easton.

“The last time the fans had a Scottish winner was probably Steve Hislop so if I can replicate that then of course I would be celebrating with them.

“If I can pull it off I will be buying everyone a drink.”

Rutter, cut from the NW200 Yamaha team earlier this year, was drafted into the Suzuki factory team after regular rider Sylvain Guintoli was ruled out of the British Superbike Championship for ten weeks following a crash at Donington Park back in May that left him with two breaks in his right leg.

Since then, Rutter has stood in for the Frenchman with two fifth place finishes at Thruxton three weeks ago before a more disappointing round at Snetterton on Sunday saw him finish seventh in race one before retiring in race two.

But team manager Jack Valentine remained coy on the 37-year-old’s immediate future, refusing to confirm the extent of Rutter’s involvement in Scotland, with speculation circulating that the team may move for recently cut Honda Althea rider Tommy Hill, although he did concede that Rutter was a “strong contender” for the Suzuki ride.

“This has been a weekend to forget,” admitted Valentine. “We’re going back to the workshop, find out what went wrong with the bike in that second race, and regroup ready for Knockhill.

“Michael put in a good performance in that first race and was looking stronger still in the second so to come away with an incomplete picture is a cruel end. Michael has again ridden well and he’s capable of front row qualifying and podium finishes - what’s happened isn’t his fault.

“What we’ll do now as regards rider selection for the next round, at Knockhill, it’s too early to say. Like I’ve said, Michael’s ridden really well and it’s fair to say his results haven’t fully reflected what he’s put in - so he most certainly remains a strong contender.”

The Airwaves Yamaha rider increased his lead at the top of the championship to 55 points over teammate James Ellison with eight wins in ten BSB races this season.

But the championship leader was made to work hard for both victories, fighting through the pack in a thrilling race one to take Ellison in a nip-and-tuck battle before beating Hydrex Honda rider Stuart Easton to the line to cap a memorable first race at the Norfolk circuit.

Ellison was also forced to miss out on a podium place in race one, with HM Plant Rider Josh Brookes showing the form that prompted team bosses to draft him in from Australia to hold on to third.

Race two saw yet another see-saw battle for the lead with both Easton and Brookes leading early on before both Camier and Ellision past Easton to put the Hydrex Honda rider back into fourth position. The Airwaves Yamaha pair then went on to pass Brookes before Camier led the procession for the remaining laps for his second consecutive double weekend. Ellison held on to second to make up for his race one disappointment with Brookes in third.

Speaking after his second win of the day, Camier said: “I have had another good weekend and to come here and have done that is amazing as I thought this might be one of our tougher events. Everyone has been so close here over the whole weekend so to come away with the double feels fantastic and we now have to look forward to the next round.”

Easton came in fourth and John Laverty came on top in a thrilling battle for fifth, beating Julien Da Costa and Ian Lowry who had to be seperated with a photo finish for sixth. Da Costa was later declared sixth on his MSS Colchester Kawasaki.

The Airwaves Yamaha rider is riding high at the top of the BSB rider’s championship with six wins from eight and a 38 point lead over teammate James Ellison and heads into this weekend full of confidence at a Snetterton circuit which has been good to him in the past.

Camier secured his first ever victory in the British Superbike Championship at the Norfolk circuit last year and is hoping to build on that success this weekend when the championship returns following a three-week break for the Isle of Man TT.

“I’m looking forward to getting back on a race bike as Thruxton seems like a long time ago,” said the championship leader.

“I won my first British Superbike race at Snetterton so I’ve got some great memories of the circuit.”

Despite his confidence, Camier is still expecting a stiff challenge from the rest of the field on a circuit that plays into the hands of the quicker bikes.

He said: “It would be fantastic if we could get on the top step of the podium again but I think we’re going to be in for some tough competition.

“The Hondas are looking fast, in particular Josh Brookes, who finished on the podium last time out.

“My team-mate James is also riding really well so it should be an exciting weekend.

“Snetterton is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar but, with the new engine, the Airwaves Yamaha should perform well.”

Kirkham comes into the team from Jentin Racing Yamaha to replace Michael Rutter at the NW 200 team, who was cut earlier this year following a poor start to the season.

Kirkham himself was forced to sit out of the previous BSB round at Thruxton after failing to break into the top ten this season but the move to a new team has reignited his enthusiasm for the championship and the challenge that lies ahead, starting this weekend at Snetterton..

“I am really made up after this news, the past few weeks have been a real downer for me but now I just want to get to Snetterton and get going,” he told the BSB website. “I worked with Rob McElnea last season when I was in the R1 Cup and I have wanted to ride for him for years so this is like a dream come true. I am really looking forward to settling into the team and it will be good for me to work with both Chris (Walker) and Graeme (Gowland) and be able to compare myself to them and see where I can improve.

“It just hasn’t worked out with the Jentin Racing Yamaha team but now I am looking ahead to the weekend like I would at the first round of the season. The team have done a fair amount of development work so I am hoping to be able to go straight out on track and not have to adapt too much to the bike as I already have some experience of the big bang Yamaha. I have not ridden since Donington Park but I am going to use practice on Friday to get used to the NW200 Coke-Cola Zero Yamaha and go from there. I am really looking forward to Snetterton now and I just want to get going!”

Ellison has been forced to stare at the exhaust pipe of Airwaves Yamaha teammate Leon Camier for much of the season, with the Lancastrian scoring just one win from eight so far whilst Camier has taken the chequered flag in six of the remaining seven to establish a strong lead at the top of the rider’s standings.

The last BSB outing at Thruxton three weeks ago saw Ellison finish second to his teammate in both races but whilst the BSB championship took a three-week break for the Isle of Man TT, he had spent most of the time in the gym.

“I have been working extra hard on my diet and fitness at Pride Gym in Kendal so that I am fully prepared for Snetterton next weekend,” he told the BSB website. I am continuing to get fitter and have actually dropped over a kilogram since Thruxton.

“I need every advantage I can to get the better of Leon as he is really on form right now so that’s a step in the right direction. Snetterton has an ultra long straight so less weight means more power! I’ve also been riding a WR250 enduro bike courtesy of J and L Yamaha in Carlisle just to stay sharp in-between races. I haven’t won outright at Snetterton since a CB55 Cup race there back in 1998 so hopefully we can change that at the weekend.”

Ellison also warned of the challenge from outside of the Airwaves Yamaha team, with the Hydrex and HM Plant Honda riders both highlighted as potential threats.

“Leon is going to be the one to beat, but I think that the Hydrex Hondas of Stuart (Easton) and Karl (Harris) will be up there. I think they have had a couple of tests there already this year and those bikes are quick. You have also got to expect Josh (Brookes) to be up there as he will be brimming with confidence after Thruxton and the HM Plant Honda is also a quick bike.”

The 37-year-old rider, who was dropped by the NW 200 Yamaha team earlier this year following a poor start to the season, was drafted in by Suzuki to replace the injured Sylvain Guintoli at Thruxton last weekend.

Despite the last minute decision, with only two days preparation before heading to practise at Thruxton, Rutter impressed Suzuki bosses with a front row qualifying position and two fifth place finishes.

That has prompted team bosses to extend their association with Rutter, who will ride at Snetterton with the option of further rides whilst Guintoli remains on the sidelines.

“We were very pleased with Michael’s performance at Thruxton,” said Crescent Suzuki team manager Jack Valentine. “It’s not an easy circuit to set-up for and for Michael coming into the team at such late notice and with no prior time on the bike, he really did an excellent job.

“With Sylvain’s injuries clearly now indicating a long recovery we have to consider a medium to long term solution in terms of this season. Obviously the championship is beyond us now, but the capability of the 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000, as Sylvain showed, is to be the class leader. So our goal now is to secure podiums, if not wins, for the rest of the season.

“In that respect rider selection is crucial. Michael has shown he has the lap speed but, by his own admission, at Thruxton he was a little combat rusty. We are therefore going to Snetterton together with the joint goal of translating Michael’s undoubted speed into podiums. Pending the outcome of those races we’ll make a further announcement on our rider selection.”

The former BSB rider was cut from the Lorenzini by Leoni Yamaha team in the Italian Superstock championship after a string of poor results, leaving him without a ride for the remainder of the season.

But the promising 20-year-old has announced that he will be returning to British Superbikes as a privateer entrant, starting at Snetterton on June 19-21.

Bridewell has secured a private Suzuki; the one used in BSB back in 2007 by his late brother Ollie, and will compete in the mirror.co.uk privateers cup for the remainder of the season.

Speaking ahead of his comeback, the Wiltshire man said: “It’s very much a family effort and I’m really looking forward to racing in England again.

“I’ve got the old man on the spanners and we’ve got family and friends involved in the effort as well as a couple of sponsors onboard.

“After Ollie’s accident, we needed time to get away and gather our thoughts but now is the time to come back and we’re delighted to be racing in Britain again.

“We’re doing Snetterton as a bit of a test to see exactly how competitive we are and then we’ll go away and do what’s needed before racing at the final five rounds starting at Brands Hatch in August

Camier’s double victory was backed up by two second-place finishes for teammate James Ellison, completing a perfect weekend for the GSE Racing team.

The result, which gave Camier his sixth win in the eight BSB races so far this season, leaves the man from Kent 38 points clear of Ellison and 60 points ahead of third placed Honda rider Stuart Easton.

Camier had to work hard for his first victory of the day, fighting back from fourth early to take the lead from his teammate on lap three before leading a somewhat processional victory.

Race two was somewhat easier for the man who finished fifth in last year’s championship although he was once again forced to take the lead from Ellison despite starting on pole.

“To get another double win, and to see Airwaves Yamaha achieve one-two’s in both races feels fantastic,” Camier claimed afterwards.

“Race one was tough. As usual I didn’t get a great start and the times weren’t as we’d expected. We made a few changes to the bike in between and race two was a lot more enjoyable.

“I had my best ever start in race two! I really want to thank everyone at GSE Racing and Airwaves Yamaha for all their hard work. We riders get all the congratulations, but it’s thanks to them.”

“After struggling at the start of this weekend, a double podium is a fantastic result,” added Ellison. “Leon rode superbly in both races, so congratulations to him. The Airwaves Yamaha is such a good bike to ride, I’m having so much fun and I can’t wait to get to Snetterton.”

The 37-year-old has been drafted in to the Worx Crescent Suzuki team just days after being released by Rob Mac Racing following a poor start to the new season.

The announcement comes after Guintoli, Suzuki’s sole rider in this season’s championship, was ruled out for up to ten weeks with two breaks in his right leg following a collision with Josh Brookes at Donington on Monday.

Rutter, who will ride a Crescent Suzuki at the forthcoming Isle of Man TT, spoke of his delight at securing a ride for this weekend.

“I’m still in shock about was has happened and foremost I extend my sympathies to Sylvain, I wish him a full and speedy recovery,” he said.

“For me, this is a great opportunity and having seen Sylvain’s progress on this bike I’m very excited to get this opportunity to ride it. I like Thruxton, it’s a real rider’s circuit, and with two podiums there last year I’m confident we can put together two good results.”

Suzuki team manager Jack Valentine added that the choice was clear for the team, given Rutter’s vast experience at BSB level.

“We have given Michael Rutter the opportunity to ride our bike at Thruxton as this is a very very fast and technical circuit and it was our feeling that we needed a very experienced and capable rider for the job. I have worked with Michael in the past - to good effect - as has our crew chief Les Pearson, and we are confident in his ability.

“Within the short period of time we have before the weekend Michael will not be able to test the bike beforehand. All the same, Michael has a self-professed love of the circuit so we anticipate a strong performance.”

Rutter’s appointment is, as of yet, not a long term arrangement but the NW200 is in the frame as a longer-term candidate according to Valentine.

“Regarding a longer term replacement, we are still reviewing the situation and we would ideally like to have a rider in place ready for Snetterton. Michael is certainly part of considerations there.”