This weekend will mark the second wildcard appearance for Aussie Glenn Allerton in the World Superbike ranks for 2013.

Allerton opened the season on home soil, scoring points with an impressive performance at Phillip Island.

This time around he’s racing on the other side of the globe as the WSBK circus travels to Laguna Seca.

The ace up Allerton’s sleeve is his prior knowledge of the track – in 2012, Wayne Hepburn’s team headed stateside to contest the AMA Superbike event run in conjunction with the US Grand Prix.

It was a promising showing for Allerton, but one that was ultimately brought undone after he hit a patch of oil on the track during qualifying, resulting in a costly crash for the team.

Starting from 13th on the grid the Aussie forged onwards despite nursing various bumps and bruises and held his own amongst the experienced field.

After his first foray in the AMA ranks in 2012, Allerton is back to take on the best in WSBK at Laguna Seca. Image: Brian J Nelson/AMA Pro Racing.

A late race run off dropped him back but he was able to pick up 12th place at the conclusion of the race.

“I look back and there are a lot of upsides to the weekend, firstly to get the bike back out on the track with limited parts and time I have to say was amazing,” he said.

“A really big thank you to the team as they pulled of the nearly impossible to get me back out. I was very lucky I was not injured any worse then I already was, sustaining a really big bruised toe which caused me some discomfort.

“We improved everything we went out on the track which is a big positive. It is a tough competition in the AMA with only a second separating the top 10 and to be only half a second off 10th position with limited track time I am happy with our efforts.”

It was a promising yet frustrating exercise for the team, who go back to try their hand once more, this time at the ultimate level of competition.

Hot lap of Laguna Seca with Glenn Allerton:

Allerton debriefs after tough Laguna Seca race: