The fine form of Honda pilot Bryan Staring continued this afternoon as the Viking Group Australian Superbike Championship hit the track for the first of two 10-lap races at Phillip Island.

The points leader snared a front row start with the third-fastest time in Motul Superpole, though it was Ducati Motologic Racing’s Jamie Stauffer who enjoyed his time in the sun early on, demolishing the competition with a 1:34.210s lap of the 4.45km circuit, 0.594s clear of second.

Wayne Maxwell led the field away with a blistering start aboard his Demolition Plus GAS Honda.

Maxwell fired off a series of quick, consistent laps, and would have been oblivious to a heart-stopping moment just metres behind him when Stauffer and Staring touched heading into the high-speed turn one on lap four.

Stauffer was forced to sit his Ducati up and had no option but to traverse the gravel trap as a potential win went begging.

Staring continued on and was able to bridge the gap to Maxwell who relinquished the lead on lap seven after his tyres began to wear.

Glenn Allerton benefited from Stauffer’s misfortunate but ultimately suffered the same fate as Maxwell, with a lack of grip forcing the Valvoline Superbike Team pilot to simply consolidate for third.

Staring’s 6.281-second win was his fifth in a row as he firms as favourite for the title.

“We haven’t quite matched the pace of Wayne (Maxwell) and Jamie (Stauffer) in qualifying but I knew we’d have a good race bike,” said the Cougar Bourbon Honda rider. “I got a safe start and settled in for a few laps behind Wayne before I was able to make a move.

“The team worked hard today and we took good points from the race – I’m really hoping to continue this momentum tomorrow and prepare us for a strong final round.”

Honda secured positions 1, 2 and 3 and Suzuki wrapped up positions three through six thanks to the efforts of GSX-R1000 riders Shawn Giles, Scott Charlton and Robbie Bugden.

Craig Coxhell was the first of the Superstock-spec machines home in seventh, a commendable result given his struggle with setup across the wet and dry sessions aboard the CJC Racing BMW.

“We didn’t race here at the start of the year so were behind the eight ball at Phillip Island,” explained Coxhell.

“Finding a setup over the course of the few dry laps we’ve had has been tough.

“We’ve made changes but they haven’t hit the mark this weekend, so it’s good to still get maximum points in the Superstock class and place seventh overall.”

KTM Superbike Team rider Shannon Johnson was dealt a ten-second penalty for a jump start, relegated from fourth to eighth.

The leader of the Insure My Ride Australian Supersport Championship also added a fifth win to his name today.

Team Suzuki’s Troy Herfoss won from pole position on his GSX-R600, beating home fellow Suzuki rider Brodie Waters and Triumph’s Christian Casella.

Yamaha pilot Ben Burke made a move on the last lap to secure fourth in a tight battle pack.

Both classes will contest a second, 10-lap race tomorrow to decide round honours.

Tune in to Channel 7 from 11:30am tomorrow to see the second Superbike race broadcast.

SUPERBIKE RACE ONE OVERALL RESULTS:
1. Bryan STARING (QLD/WA) / Cougar Bourbon Honda Racing 

2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / GAS Honda Racing / Demolition Plus

3. Glenn ALLERTON (NSW) / Valvoline Superbike

4. Shawn GILES (VIC) / Team Suzuki

5. Scott CHARLTON (NSW) / Racers Edge Performance Suzuki

6. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Mack Trucks Suzuki

7. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / CJC Racing

8. Shannon JOHNSON (VIC) / KTM Superbike Team

9. Craig McMARTIN (NSW) / North Coast V-Twins / Agip Racing

10. Kris McLAREN (VIC) / McLaren Motorsport

SUPERSPORT RACE ONE OVERALL RESULTS:
1 . Troy HERFOSS (VIC) / Team Suzuki

2. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Sunstate Waters
3. Christan CASELLA (VIC) / Aark Electrics / Peter Stevens M-cycles / Triumph

4. Ben BURKE (NSW)

5. Dylan MAVIN (QLD) / Mavin Industries / Jetset Alice Springs

6. Michael JONES (QLD) / California Superbike School Race Team / Yamaha

7. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) / Gobert Motorsports / Bell Helmets / Yamaha / Dynojet

8. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) / Pakenham Yamaha / Monitor My Super

9. Des DARBY (QLD) / Aark Electrics / Peter Stevens M-cycles / Triumph

10. Andy LAWSON Jnr (QLD) / Champion’s Ride Days Race Team / Palfinger