Maxwell was fastest in morning warm-up, but he'll need luck on his side if he is to win the ASBK title this afternoon. Image: TBG Sport/Andrew Gosling.

Demolition Plus GAS Honda Racing’s Wayne Maxwell believes that the rain currently falling at Symmons Plains in Tasmania will boost his hopes for a first Australian Superbike Championship title come race time this afternoon.

The Victorian-based title contender lost one point to arch-rival Bryan Staring in the title chase during yesterday’s opening race of the weekend contested in the dry, but the rain has blown things wide open heading into race two of the weekend.

Maxwell was fastest in this morning’s warm-up ahead of Staring, and he’s determined to take advantage of the conditions in the 16-lap race that will air live on Channel 7 at 2.00-2.30pm AEST today.

“It throws another spanner in the works, but look, it’s really up to Bryan and what decision he wants to make out there this afternoon,” Maxwell commented to MotoOnline.com.au.

“Whether he’s going to settle to finish the race or keep pushing hard, who knows, but if he makes a mistake and I get first or second then the championship will be ours.

“Realistically, I can’t see that happening to be honest.”

Maxwell now sits 19.5 points in arrears of Staring after taking fifth yesterday as the series goes down to the wire, and he hopes to redeem himself in race two in a bid to put himself back in contention.

“We had the speed yesterday to win, but we just struggled to race head-to-head with the guys yesterday because of the setting that we had,” he explained. “Hopefully today the changes we’ve made will work in the rain and we can compete for the win.”

Maxwell will need to finish first or second and Staring will have to DNF if he is to stand a chance at mathematically claiming the crown for 2010.