News 15 Sep 2014

Allerton set for EWC debut alongside Barrier at Le Mans

Top Australian making surprise World Endurance appearance.

Image: Keith Muir.

Image: Keith Muir.

Triple Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton will depart Australia this afternoon ahead of his FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) debut at the Le Mans 24-Hour in France.

Allerton will partner Superbike World Championship regular Sylvain Barrier and experienced American Jason Pridmore in the Penz13.com Racing Team, on board an EWC-spec BMW S 1000 RR.

“I’m excited to race World Endurance and it’s full Superbike spec, so the chance to ride for BMW under the Penz13 banner in EWC is a great opportunity,” Allerton told CycleOnline. “If I can produce some good results it could be good for the future.

“I’m under no illusions that it will be an easy race – it’s going to be difficult both mentally and physically. I’m looking forward to the challenge though, that’s for sure.”

The Penz13.com Racing Team, which currently sits second in the Superstock World Cup title chase, will expand to two bikes in preparation for a potential full EWC assault in 2015.

“Le Mans will be a big task for all of us as we are fielding two BMW S 1000 RR teams there,” said team principal Rico Penzkofer. “The Open-squad more or less is testing under real racing conditions for 2015.

“We’ve been thinking about to step up to the EWC category for quite a while and this will be our first attempt. Our highest priority has to be to finish the race so we can collect as much data as possible for the upcoming season. Looking at our strong rider line-up we of course do also hope to be involved in the sharp-end of the race.”

Pedro Vallcaneras, Didier van Keymeulen and Steve Mercer will compete aboard the Penz13.com Superstock entry at Le Mans.

The Penz13.com team already took the FIM World Endurance Superstock Cup in 2012 and with it has one world title to its credit.

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