Ducati Motologic's Jamie Stauffer was fastest on Friday in Queensland.

Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer has topped today’s merged practice session at the third round of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship at Queensland Raceway.

The two-time series champion showed early pace and was able to edge out current points leader, Demolition Plus GAS Honda’s Wayne Maxwell, on his final flying lap of the 3.12km circuit.

The 1198R-mounted Stauffer stopped the clock at 1:10.376, just over a tenth quicker than the CBR1000RR of Maxwell.

It’s a welcome return to form for the New South Welshman who is racing in his first year with the Ducati factory outfit.

“We’ve been trying a few new things with the bike today and got a good handle on it this afternoon,” explained Stauffer.

“There’s a bit more to be found, the team are working hard at understanding how the bike responds to the changes and how it rides the bumpy sections of the track.

“With the progress we’re making we should be on for a good shot at the Superpole, its a fairly high-pressure lap and one you can’t afford to make mistakes on.”

Stauffer praised the efforts of his team who said were making good inroads with the bike.

“It was all new for us at the start of the year so the learning curve was steep. Everyone has put their heads together and each time we hit the track we make some sort of progress.”

Maxwell, who was named as a starter at the iconic Suzuka 300 and 8 Hour events earlier this week, felt certain he would have a better package for tomorrow’s qualifying sessions.

He is focused on maintaining the slender advantage he currently enjoys over 2009 champion, Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters.

Waters wrapped up the day’s proceedings in third position, ahead of two Queensland riders battling for supremacy at their home race.

Gold Coast-based talent Bryan Staring of the Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing team finished fourth, and was the final rider to record a lap in the 1:10 bracket.

“We’re in good stead, we’re pretty happy with fourth but know we need to step it up tomorrow. The goal is to start off the front row and I’m confident we’re well and truly up to that challenge,” said Staring.

“The layout here might be boring but the bumps give it character. It’s very hard on the rider, the fast acceleration, hard braking and slow corners really make it physically demanding.

“But if anyone looks at the layout here and thinks its not challenging, they need to think twice.”

Brisbane’s Robbie Bugden slotted his Team Mack Trucks Suzuki GSXR-1000 into fifth ahead of 2008 champion Glenn Allerton.

Daniel Stauffer made it three Queenslanders inside the top 10, enjoying his best performance of the year on his factory Aprilia Superbike after a horror start to the season.

In the Insure My Ride Supersport class it was again a battle between leading Suzuki riders Troy Herfoss and Brodie Waters, with Herfoss setting a flying lap of 1:13.316 ahead of Waters’ 1:13.461.

Gobert Motorsports Yamaha’s Aaron Gobert was third quick ahead of Chris Quinn and local rider Dylan Mavin, an ex-Red Bull Rookies Cup rider.

The second day of competition features qualifying for all classes, including the fan-favourite Superpole where the top 8 qualifiers from both Superbike sessions will have one flying lap to set their fastest time and determine the front two rows of the grid.

Action begins at 9:00am. Visit asbk.com.au for ticketing details.

SUPERBIKE RESULTS:
1. Jamie Stauffer (NSW), Ducati, 1:10.376
2. Wayne Maxwell (Vic), Honda, 1:10.490
3. Josh Waters (Vic), Suzuki, 1:10.543
4. Bryan Staring (Qld), Honda, 1:10.870
5. Robert Bugden (Qld), Suzuki, 1:11.165
6. Glenn Allerton (NSW), Honda, 1:11.357
7. Scott Charlton (Vic), Suzuki, 1:11.545
8. Kris McLaren (Vic), Honda, 1:11.578
9. Dan Stauffer (Qld), Aprilia, 1:11.731
10. Shawn Giles (NSW), Suzuki, 1:11.889

Click here for detailed results