Tyco Suzuki's Josh Brookes will go into this afternoon's British Superbike qualifying session at the top of the timesheets after heading the final free practice, held in the wet at Knockhill, but he was chased hard by Michaels Laverty and Rutter.
The Australian's 52.786 was three-tenths better than the pack right until the last few seconds of the session when Samsung Honda's Laverty got to within five one-hundredths and Rutter, on the Bathams Kawasaki, slotted into third place and only a tenth slower than the Irishman.
Swan Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga picked his way through the traffic to go fastest with seven minutes left but then slid down to fourth on a 53.117 but he is one place higher than team-mate and reigning champion Tommy Hill who is half a second off the pace in fifth place.
Brookes' team-mate Alastair Seeley was consistently quick throughout the session and finds himself in sixth and a tenth quicker than lap record holder Shane Byrne, who just hopped ahead of James Westmoreland's WFR Honda with his final run of laps on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki.
Jon Kirkham found some pace in the tricky conditions in which he always rides well, taking ninth place ahead of Alex Lowes and Ian Lowry. Tommy Bridewell is 12th, James Hiller 13th, John Laverty 14th and Patric Muff rounds out the top 15.
Chris Walker was passed fit to ride this morning after yesterday's sizeable crash and will take part in qualifying. He elected to sit out final free practice.
