Superbike frontrunners back on Aussie soil for penultimate clash at Phillip Island LEADING QBE Australian Superbike Championship contenders will face off in the series’ crucial penultimate round at Phillip Island this weekend. For the riders placed first through to fourth, it marks a return to racing on a domestic scale after tackling some of the toughest international races this year. Points leader Josh Waters and positions 2 and 3 Wayne Maxwell and Jamie Stauffer were all starters at the gruelling Suzuka 8 Hour in Japan, showcasing the depth of talent that the Australian field has. Waters headed the factory Suzuki effort and set the fastest provisional pole in qualifying, impressing many during his stint. Bike problems throughout the race eventually resulted in a DNF for the team, but his charge back through the pack did not go unnoticed. “The end result wasn’t good but for me, on a personal level, the Suzuka 8 Hour was fantastic,” said Waters. “I was always in the top 3, on provisional pole and was able to lead the race away for 7 laps against some of the world’s best riders it was an amazing feeling.” The energy-sapping humidity of Suzuka will be replaced by the predicted cold, wet and windy conditions at Phillip Island this weekend, a track that has been a favourite for Waters since he began competing. In 2009, he sealed his first ASBK title at this circuit, and, is in with a shot of building a lead that could very well deliver a repeat championship. Waters is not focusing on the figures and just wants to ride two consistent races this weekend in order to setup a strong run home. “I’m playing this weekend like I’ve played the events all year, I’m going in to try my hardest and aim for the best results,” continued Waters. “In regards to thinking about taking the championship this weekend, I honestly don’t think that can happen, Wayne is just so strong around this circuit.” Maxwell and Stauffer returned to Suzuka as teammates once again, but found their campaign challenging with crashes and a ride-through penalty proving costly. It was a remarkable effort by Maxwell, who rode through the pain of an earlier crash, and Stauffer was on song, with one of the few two-rider teams recording a commendable sixth place after so many setbacks. Their focus has switched back to Team Honda’s charge in the ASBK, with both riders handily placed heading to Phillip Island. Maxwell has won all three of the races he has finished at Phillip Island this year, an enviable statistic. It was his DNF in the first race of the season that has kept him shy of the points lead and he knows that he will need to continue this form if he is to halt Waters’ charge. “We’ve got a reasonable setting for the bike having raced there two times this year already but we’re always developing things and have made a few changes to our race package,” said Maxwell. “I’ve had a good run there this year and if it wasn’t for that DNF early on then I could be a lot closer in the points to Josh. “It’s going to be about bridging the gap this weekend, we’re working hard as a team and Jamie is riding well so I’m confident we can come away with the results we need. “The weather looks like it could be a mix of conditions we’re expecting it to be pretty wet and windy early on but the forecast for race day looks more promising.” 2011 Champion Glenn Allerton heads to Phillip Island in hot pursuit of the leaders. The BMW rider made his AMA Superbike debut at the Laguna Seca MotoGP round in the United States over the break, and, like his fellow ASBK racers, put in a top showing despite a mishap early in the piece. A 240km/h high-side crash during qualifying meant his team was racing the clock to secure a grid position, and to qualify and eventually finish the race in 12th was a top effort for all involved. Allerton and the Procon Maxima BMW are sure to be quick at Phillip Island, the circuit where the bike took its maiden win in Superbike trim over 18 months ago. A strong Superbike field will line up this weekend, bolstered by the return of Beau Beaton who will climb aboard the same Racer’s Edge Suzuki machine that won the opening race at the last round. The battle of the young guns that make up the top 4 on the Motul Australian Supersport Championship standings will resume this weekend. Currently, Triumph’s Mitchell Carr has the edge over factory Honda racer Josh Hook, though Brodie Waters and Glenn Scott are in close check. The mix of four different manufacturers at the front of the pack will make the duel even more interesting at the penultimate round. A full complement of classes are on track at this weekend’s round of the QBE Australian Superbike Championships, and, like always, Phillip Island promises to deliver its unpredictable brand of racing.