Maxwell leads Stauffer, Staring and co. in today's thrilling second Superbike race. Image: TGB Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Demolition Plus GAS Honda rider Wayne Maxwell emerged the victor of an enthralling, race-long battle with Jamie Stauffer in today’s second and final race at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, host of round six of the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship.

Coupled with second place yesterday, today’s result also secures round victory for Maxwell, who won the opener at the same track in February.

The 10-lap race looked certain to end in redemption for Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer, who recovered quickly after a slow start from pole position.

The two-time Australian Superbike Champion passed Maxwell for the lead on lap four, and the lead changed twice more across the course of the same 4.45-kilometre lap.

The see-sawing battle continued for much of the race, and Maxwell took full advantage of a small mistake from Stauffer on the final lap, diving into the lead and greeting the chequered flag in first.

Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing rider Bryan Staring slipped past Stauffer for second in what has been another solid showing.

Maxwell ended Staring’s win streak and is still well in contention for the championship with a round remaining.

“The lead changed every lap and I was just hanging it out there, taking anything that came to me,” said Maxwell. “In the last few laps we were probably all lacking the grip to pull away. Jamie made a small error and I was able to get by him.

“It’s been a better weekend for us, and to take the round win is a good result considering the last few have been shockers.”

Staring congratulated his fellow competitors on a closely-fought race.

“I had a good view of Wayne and Jamie and knew I’d need to stay with them should any opportunity come up,” said Staring.

“The bike was working well and I put myself in a position to make a move on Jamie when he slowed and ran wide. It was a great battle and hopefully got the attention of a few four-wheel fans both at the track and on TV.

“We finished equal on points with Wayne which is good in terms of the championship. The team worked hard to get a front row start and despite the tyre wear the bike was one of the best out there.”

Staring and Maxwell collected 45 points each, with Valvoline Superbike Team rider Glenn Allerton coming home in third on the back of two consistent race finishes.

Stauffer scored his fourth race podium of the season despite luck deserting him this weekend.

“It’s disappointing to not come away with a win today when we clearly had the pace to do so,” said Stauffer. “The bike was fantastic this weekend, it just seems like the only thing we’re missing is luck.

“I’m really hoping we can come out of the blocks fast and take two wins at the final round as a reward for the team’s efforts this year.”

Racer’s Edge Suzuki’s Scott Charlton was one of the big movers today, leading the race early on before settling in to finish fourth for the race and the weekend.

The result sees him leapfrog Team Suzuki rider Shawn Giles, albeit by half a point, and close the gap to Allerton to just six points.

Multiclad GAS Honda rider Kris McLaren’s return to the track went awry today as he collided with a competitor on the opening lap. McLaren and his bike were sent tumbling across the grass at turn six, ending his race.

The second of the weekend’s Insure My Ride Australian Supersport races was just as entertaining.

It was a race of three as Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss, Sunstate Racing’s Brodie Waters and Triumph’s Christian Casella swapped places lap after lap.

The entry to turn one was the site of numerous overtaking moves, with each of the riders leading the race on multiple occasions.

The eventual result could not have been scripted. Casella led Herfoss out of the final turn but appeared to lose his advantage as the championship leader pulled out of the draught at the finish line.

0.003 of a second was all that separated the pair as the race came to a close, with Casella securing his first win of the year.

The round podium result mirrored the current points placings – Herfoss first, Casella second and Waters third.

With the penultimate round wrapped up, riders and teams will turn their attention to the final event on the 2010 calendar, Symmons Plains.

Three class champions will be crowned at the 12-14 November event in Tasmania – Superbike, Supersport and Superstock 1000 A&B.

The favourites were on form this weekend but there are still plenty of points up for grabs in Tasmania where the ASBK will once again feature in conjunction with the V8 Supercars.

VIKING GROUP SUPERBIKE RESULTS AND STANDINGS:
1. Wayne MAXWELL (NSW), 45

2. Bryan STARING (QLD), 45

3. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 34

4. Scott CHARLTON (VIC), 33

5. Shawn GILES (VIC), 31

6. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 29

7. Shannon JOHNSON (VIC), 29

8. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 28

9. Craig McMARTIN (NSW), 25

10. Cru HALLIDAY (NSW)22



1. Bryan STARING (QLD), 211

2. Wayne MAXWELL (NSW), 192.5

3. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW), 149

4. Scott CHARLTON (VIC), 143

5. Shawn GILES (VIC), 142.5

6. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW), 127

7. Shannon JOHNSON (VIC), 119

8. Robert BUGDEN (QLD), 115

9. Joshua WATERS (VIC), 105.5

10. John ALLEN (QLD), 77.5

INSURE MY RIDE SUPERSPORT RESULTS AND STANDINGS:
1. Troy HERFOSS (VIC), 46

2. Christan CASELLA (VIC), 43

3. Brodie WATERS (VIC), 38

4. Ben BURKE (NSW), 32

5. Aaron GOBERT (NSW), 31

6. Michael JONES (QLD), 31

7. Dylan MAVIN (QLD), 30

8. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC), 24

9. Blake LEIGH-SMITH (QLD), 22

10. Des DARBY (QLD), 22



1. Troy HERFOSS (VIC), 224

2. Christan CASELLA (VIC), 193

3. Brodie WATERS (VIC), 179

4. Aaron GOBERT (NSW), 129

5. Chris QUINN (NSW), 128

6. Ben BURKE (NSW), 119

7. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC), 104

8. Blake LEIGH-SMITH (QLD), 85

9. Des DARBY (QLD), 85

10. Sam HEATH (QLD), 80