Michael Rutter of England will be in pole position for Saturday's Superbike race at the North West 200.

The Ducati rider clocked the best average lap speed of 118.96mph with Welshman Ian Lougher second on his Suzuki (118.25 mph).

David Jefferies encountered more mechanical problems on his Suzuki.

He completed just one lap and failed to qualify and may have to start Saturday's races from down the grid.

Lougher, who claimed the fastest speed of the night with 189mph, was the quickest 125cc rider on a Handa.

Kiwi Bruce Anstey, making his North West debut, came out on top in the Production race.

John McGuinness from England claimed pole position in the 600cc category.

Practice times - 125cc: I Lougher 101.36mph, D Lindsay 101.19, R Dunlop 100.62, M Wilcox 100.06, C Palmer 99.64, J Crumpton 99.61 (all Hondas).

250cc: A Patterson 108.52, D Lindsay 106.42, C Palmer 104.16, N Rank 103.43, D Burns 102.48, T Cawte 102.28 (all Hondas).

600cc: J McGuinness (Honda) 113.35, J Moodie (Yamaha) 113.09, I Lougher (Suzuki) 112.46, A Archibald (Honda) 112.14, I Duffus (Yamaha) 111.79, G Jess (Yamaha) 111.11.

Production: B Anstey 116.67, I Lougher 115.50, R Britton 114.46, D Jefferies 114.22, I Duffus 114.05, A McFarland 112.14 (all Suzukis).

Superbike: M Rutter (Ducati) 118.96, I Lougher (Suzuki) 118.25, A Archibald (Honda) 116.75, J Moodie (Yamaha) 116.44, B Anstey (Yamaha) 116.24, R Britton (Suzuki) 116.16.