Words: Russell Colvin

Image: Russell Colvin.

Three-time Australian Superbike Champion (ASBK) Glenn Allerton was today reunited with the Next Gen Motorsports team as he took part in a single-day test at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria alongside new Supersport champion Ted Collins.

The 36-year-old was putting the 2018 BMW S 1000 RR through its paces around the rural 3.0-kilometre circuit, describing it as like ‘putting on an old set of gloves’ after winning the 2011 and 2014 ASBK titles with Next Gen.

Allerton, who recently lost out on his Yamaha Racing Team seat to Daniel Falzon for 2018, said that he felt comfortable straightaway aboard the BMW and, with his title-winning experience on the German machinery, he was impressed with the latest variant.

“The power delivery is second to none,” Allerton explained to CycleOnline.com.au, who is still working back toward full fitness following an injury-filled year. “The 2018 BMW S 1000 RR has so much power and the best part of it now is the fact that it has been smoothed out and everything is just refined. I’m working really hard to make sure come round one at Phillip Island next year in February I’m going to be 100 percent fit.

“Overall however, it was good to come and try the Next Gen Motorsports BMW machine and work with Wayne [Hepburn], Shane [Kinderis] and the rest of the team. I was a part of this team for a long time and we are like family, so it was great fun to come back and work with the team and have a blast around Winton in the process.”

The last time Allerton rode a BMW was all the way back in 2014, which was the HP4 model. He said there are notable differences between that and the new model: “It is a lot different. The last time I rode the HP4 we were on controlled tyres as well, which made the bike difficult to ride.”

“It’s just a matter of getting used to the tiny little things which feel different, such as how the brakes work and how the power delivery comes on. Overall, the bike feels really good, which is a massive credit to the Next Gen Motorsports team as they have done a really good job in setting it up.”

Just yesterday, Allerton also threw his leg over Craig McMartin’s Ducati Panigale at Sydney Motorsport Park, currently assessing what the next step will be in his illustrious ASBK career. Right now his options remain open as he works toward securing his place on the 2018 grid, which will commence at Phillip Island on 23-25 February.

“It’s something I wish I could do all the time, but when you ride for a particular manufacturer you are obviously not allowed to jump on people’s bikes and test them,” explained Allerton.
“I’ve had a blast over the last two days and it really has been a lot of fun. All of these motorcycles have their own strengths and their own weaknesses.

“For me it’s all about having a good team, good bike and being able to have fun going racing. Every championship that I have won I’ve had a lot of fun going racing, so that’s what it’s all about for me now. I want to win another championship and have fun doing it,” he concluded.