Team Suzuki's Josh Waters set pole position at Phillip Island on Saturday.

Team Suzuki’s Josh Waters turned just three laps in the final QBE Australian Superbike qualifying session to claim pole position at Phillip Island today.

Yesterday riders went in search of grip on a heat-soaked track, while today’s gamble was on the fine line between a wet and dry surface.

As the clouds rolled in it was clear that the early laps would be the quickest after steady rain during the morning session saw times blow out by over 12 seconds a lap.

Track temperatures played off in stark comparison – 41.8 degrees yesterday halved to just 20.8 degrees today.

The practice pacesetter, Waters delivered a committed 1:33.852s effort just minutes into Qualifying 2, electing to wait out the weather in the garage for the remainder of the session.

The treacherous conditions saw officials cancel the 8-rider QBE Superpole shootout, with the qualifying positions setting the grid for tomorrow’s two races.

“There was a really light mist coming over this afternoon, it was enough to make you put on your windscreen wipers if you were driving,” explained Waters.

“I got out there and went for a lap early, I thought that everyone else was too but when I came back in I realised I’d probably gotten lucky.

“The grip started to go and most of us spent the rest of the session in the pit lane looking up at the sky.

“I’m happy to be on pole but it will be really hard tomorrow, it should be dry by then and it will be anyone’s race.”

Team Honda’s Wayne Maxwell left his run at Waters’ lap too late, and the declining grip level resulted in a time over a second off the pole pace.

“In the afternoon session it was really important to get out there and get a time in before the rain,” said Maxwell. “I got caught up in a bit of traffic early on and couldn’t get a clear lap.

“I don’t think we quite have Josh’s pace but we’ll work on some things overnight and I’m confident we can come out and have a good run tomorrow.

“I’m real looking to round out the season on a high note. It would be my first off-season uninjured and it will set up a strong start to 2012.”

Troy Herfoss turned just one more lap than his Team Suzuki teammate to set the third-fastest time, with Glenn Allerton holding onto a front row start on the Procon Maxima BMW in fourth.

The man defending second place in the championship, Jamie Stauffer, will start in fifth off the second row of the grid.
Brodie Waters scored the Supersport pole position to make it two-from-two for the Waters family.

He will start tomorrow’s races ahead of Mitchell Carr and Rick Olson, with championship leader Kevin Curtain rounding out the front row in fourth.

Two more national titles were decided this afternoon, with Cru Halliday claiming enough points to confirm his position as Prostock champion and Josh Hook amassing an unbeatable points lead to take the Superlites spoils.

Sunday will feature 14 additional road races plus a host of entertaining action on the Supermoto and Thumpercross courses.

2011 QBE Australian Superbike Championship
Round Eight – Phillip Island, VIC

Superbike Qualifying Results:
1. Joshua WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, 1:33.852
2. Wayne MAXWELL (VIC) / Team Honda Racing, 1:35.009
3. Troy HERFOSS (NSW) / Team Suzuki, 1:35.570
4. Glenn ALLERTON (VIC) / Procon Maxima BMW, 1:36.030
5. Jamie STAUFFER (NSW) / Team Honda Racing, 1:36.121
6. Ben ATTARD (QLD) / The i-Style Natural Aprilia Team, 1:36.245
7. Robert BUGDEN (QLD) / Team Mack Trucks Suzuki, 1:36.277
8. Craig COXHELL (VIC) / Demolition Plus GAS Honda, 1:36.840
9. Ben HENRY (QLD) / CUBE Racing Australian Outdoor Living / Weld West, 1:38.263
10. Chris TROUNSEN (VIC) / Procon Maxima BMW, 1:38.480

Supersport Qualifying Results:
1. Brodie WATERS (VIC) / Team Suzuki, 1:37.913
2. Mitchell CARR (NSW) / Carr Bros Morotrsport / Triumph Australia, 1:38.723
3. Rick OLSON (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, 1:38.764
4. Kevin CURTAIN (VIC) / Yamaha Racing Team, 1:38.810
5. Michael JONES (QLD) / Reece Bancell Scholarship / Yamaha / Draggin Jeans, 1:38.810
6. Glenn SCOTT (NSW) / WNR Kawasaki / Insure My Ride / Stahlwille Tools / Motul, 1:38.951
7. Nicholas WATERS (VIC) / ARAI Helments, 1:39.466
8. Aaron GOBERT (NSW) / Gobert Motorsports / Yamaha / Alpinestars / Bell Helmets, 1:39.516
9. Chris QUINN (NSW) / Coopers Pale Ale, 1:39.768
10. Ryan TAYLOR (VIC) / SW Racing / Powerhouse Motorcycles, 1:39.956