Croft holds crown.

The Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars into town this weekend when Croft Circuit stages round ten of the prestigious series.

And with the title race precariously poised and as close as it's been all season, the meeting looks set to play a pivotal role in deciding the eventual destiny of the BSB crown.

Just 14 points separate the top three riders following three dramatic rounds in recent weeks.

Early season pace-setter and defending champion Gregorio Lavilla has seen his healthy lead slashed following just one podium finish in the past five races aboard his Airwaves Ducati F06.

Taking over at the head of the standings is Japanese rider Ryuichi Kiyonari who has won six of the last eight races.

The 23-year-old HM Plant Racing rider has just returned from the Suzuki eight-hour race in Japan where he finished fifth.

But the man who could really upset the apple cart is Britain's Leon Haslam.

Despite not winning a race so far this year, he has been far and away the most consistent rider in the series with only one non-finish to his name when he crashed his Airwaves Ducati in the very first race of the season at Brands Hatch.

Local interest will be centred upon the Guisborough-based Hydrex Honda team, run by ex-racer Shaun Muir, who will be hoping to see Australian Glen Richards and Midlander Gary Mason challenge the top men.

Hoping to maintain local interest in the British Supersport Championship is Guisborough's Dennis Hobbs (Team Padgetts Honda) who will be hoping to go one better than his second place at Knockhill earlier this season.

Middlesbrough's Paul Veazey (Astro GVD Kawasaki) races in the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship while Michael Hill from Norton (Team Taboo Honda) has been a regular points scorer in the British 125cc Championship this year and will also be looking for a good result on his home track.

Saturday sees the all-important Audi Performance Qualifying for the Superbikes in which points are awarded for grid positions with the overall winner taking home a pounds 50,000 car at the end of the season.

The superstocks also make their first appearance of the weekend on Saturday, with the remainder of the weekend's seven races taking place on Sunday.

Sunday's warm-up sessions are followed by the first race at 1.10pm.

Before that, from 10-11am is a pit walk, during which fans can meet the riders.

Adult admission is pounds 12 on Saturday and pounds 25 on Sunday with a weekend ticket costing pounds 32 - children aged 15 and under are admitted free.

Limited grandstand seating is available at pounds 8.

FOLLOWING the success of their recent Night with the Stars, North Yorkshire Road Racing Supporters' Club have organised another chat show at Club Amadeus in Northallerton tomorrow evening.

Helmet manufacturers Arai sponsor the event which will feature a host of their sponsored riders.

Kawasaki's World Superbike star Chris Walker will be joined on stage by Airwaves Ducati rider Leon Haslam, rising BSB star Jonathan Rea (Red Bull Honda) and Hawk Kawasaki duo Craig Coxhell and Dean Thomas.

Also attending will be Superstock ace Ian Hutchinson, Vivaldi Superbike rider Ollie Bridewell and a host of other top riders in the show which gets under way at 8pm.

Admission is pounds 6 per person (members pounds 4) and there will be the usual late bar, raffle, auction and giveaways.

Arai technicians and staff will be on hand to offer advice and service - so remember to take your crash helmet along!