Josh Waters stayed cool in the heat of a Phillip Island scorcher to top today’s practice at the final round of the QBE Australian Superbike Championships.

30-degrees-plus on track meant riders were searching for a setup that would afford more grip while maintaining speed at the sweeping 4.4km Grand Prix circuit.

While Waters walks away with the quickest lap, set on his final attempt, the big story to emerge was how Honda rider Wayne Maxwell walked away unscathed from a 200km/h crash into the turn 12 gravel trap.

“It was probably one of the biggest crashes I’ve had in a while,” said Maxwell. “4th gear and nearly 200km/h into the gravel there has created a bit of work for the boys to do.”

The crash meant Maxwell was limited to one machine in the final practice session, but he was able to bounce back with second outright.

“In the second session we tried a few things and got a good direction coming into qualifying tomorrow.”

Maxwell’s crew will work into the night to repair major damage to the bike.

Waters experienced the high of a race win and the low of a DNF last weekend, and is hoping today’s early pace carries over to tomorrow despite the threat of a wet track.

“The track was really hot today so the grip wasn’t there, but everyone’s in the same boat,” said Waters.

“I was lucky in the second session, I went over a second quicker than I did this morning so it was good.

“Tomorrow’s going to be really hard – we don’t know what the weather is going to do, Sunday should be dry but tomorrow it could do anything.”

Newly-crowned ASBK champion Glenn Allerton struggled to sixth on the timesheets, feeling the effects of the arm injury sustained at Symmons Plains.

There may be a championship battle going on in the QBE Australian Supersport class, but someone forgot to tell that to ‘Mad’ Mike Jones.

Wrapping up the Superstock championship a round prior, Jones entered Supersport to test the waters this weekend and for much of the final session sat atop the timesheets.

Brodie Waters, younger brother of Josh, knocked Jones off the top spot with moments remaining.

Yamaha machines sat second through to fifth on the timesheets, with points leader Kevin Curtain a comfortable fourth.

For full results of all classes, visit www.computime.com.au.

QBE Australian Superbike Championship
Phillip Island, VIC

Superbike Practice Results:
1. Joshua WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, 1:33.116
2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Team Honda Racing, 1:33.863
3. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) / Team Honda Racing, 1:34.116
4. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Mack Trucks Suzuki, 1:34.638
5. Troy HERFOSS (NSW) / Team Suzuki, 1:34.892
6. Glenn ALLERTON (VIC) / Procon Maxima BMW, 1:35.149
7. Ben ATTARD (QLD) / The i-Style Natural Aprilia Team, 1:35.181
8. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / Demolition Plus GAS Honda, 1:35.729
9. Chris TROUNSEN (VIC) / Procon Maxima BMW, 1:36.580
10. Ben HENRY (QLD) / CUBE Racing, 1:36.713

Supersport Practice Results:
1. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, 1:37.345
2. Michael JONES (QLD) / Reece Bancell Scholarship / Yamaha / Draggin Jeans, 1:37.709
3. Rick OLSON (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, 1:37.856
4. Kevin CURTAIN (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, 1:37.946
5. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) / Gobert Motorsports / Yamaha / Alpinestars / Bell Helmets, 1:38.621
6. Mitchell CARR (NSW) / Carr Bros Morotrsport / Triumph Australia, 1:39.040
7. Chris QUINN (NSW) / Coopers Pale Ale, 1:39.185
8. Paul YOUNG (SA) / AARK Racing, 1:39.271
9. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) / WNR Kawasaki / Insure My Ride / Stahlwille Tools / Motul, 1:39.319
10. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / ARAI Helments, 1:39.343