Maxwell draws first blood at Phillip Island

The 2009 Woodstock Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) took centre stage as round six got underway at Phillip Island today, with three classes making the most of what sunshine was available and a dry track. In the Superbike class Olean Motologic Racing's Wayne Maxwell took out the first six lap race ahead of Joe Rocket Suzuki‰Ûªs Josh Waters and Bisley Workwear's Craig Coxhall and with three races to go over the next two days, reigning Champ and points leader Glenn Allerton (Olean Motologic Racing) will have to put in some strong rides to make up for his fourth place finish in race one. Maxwell looked good at the start of the day clocking the fastest time (1:35.361) in qualifying on a dodgy track. Maxwell clocked the fastest lap of the race with a 1:32.711 in his third lap "It was great to start from pole and then go on to win the race after leading from start to finish today," Maxwell said. "It came fairly easy, just got a good start and got into a good rhythm. It was only a short six-lap race today, so after the first few laps I was able to just cruise it home. I‰Ûªm sure not all of the races are going to come easy this weekend, but we‰Ûªll take the easy ones when we can. "I tried a few settings this morning and, to be honest, they didn‰Ûªt quite work out, but in the race this afternoon I was able to go faster and it gave me great confidence for the remainder of the weekend. I‰Ûªm happy with the way the race went today, we were a fair bit quicker than the other guys, did what we had to do and then tomorrow I‰Ûªll be trying a little bit harder to stretch that lead, which will hopefully set us up for some good points come the championship-scoring races on Sunday. The Supersport riders took to the track a massive four times on Friday, getting their free practice, qualifying, and first two races in before gates closed to the public. Jamie Stauffer (Yamaha Racing Team) took line honours in both races ahead of Bryan Staring (Yamaha Racing Team) and Shannon Johnson (Woodstock Bourbon Honda) who secured a second and third place each. Also making an appearance at Phillip Island was the Australian Historic Class, where Beau Beaton (Vincent), Rob Phillis (Suzuki) and Scott Webster (Moto Martin) took out first second and third respectively in both races. Race two of the ASBK category will be run tomorrow afternoon, before Sunday‰Ûªs pair of eight-lap races will feature as the point-paying rounds toward the Australian Superbike Championship, where Maxwell currently sits third with an 18-point deficit after scoring a single point for pole position this morning. Main Photo: Wayne Maxwell leads te field in race 1
Credit: Damir Ivka - www.fv.com.au