Image: Alex Gobert.

Multiple national champion Glenn Allerton was quickest in today’s official Swann Insurance Australasian Superbike Championship pre-season test at Wakefield Park.

The Next Gen Motorsports BMW rider set a scorching 58.5s at the technical Goulburn-based circuit – the lone rider to break into the 58s bracket and unofficially half a second ahead of the field.

Fresh from his 11-15 finishes with BMW Motorrad Italia in World Superbikes at Phillip Island, Allerton was aboard a brand new ASC Superbike-spec HP4 on Tuesday equipped with the series’ latest specification Dunlop control tyres.

Kawasaki privateer Sean Condon was also consistently quick aboard his ZX-10R, second overall with a 59.0s. It was a promising performance for the New South Welshman entering his second season on the Superbike.

Superbike rookie Cru Halliday was another rising star to feature toward the top of the unofficial time sheets, third overall with a 59.1s lap time. Halliday was immediately quick back aboard the YZF-R1 following a year in Supersport, and out-pacing highly credentialed teammates Robbie Bugden and Kevin Curtain.

Last year’s ASBK Superbike Privateer Cup winner Glenn Scott was fourth on his InsureMyRide Honda at 59.4s, riding an ASC-spec bike that the team only took delivery of last week. He’s expecting an SP model before the season opener next month.

ASBK number three Bugden completed the top five in his second outing for Yamaha, half a second in arrears of Halliday at 59.6s as he continues to adapt to the Yamaha. It was the Queenslander’s first laps at Wakefield Park since 2004.

Honda-mounted privateer Chris Trounson matched Bugden’s time for equal fifth, while Kawasaki rookie Mike Jones was seventh with a 1m00.0s.

Jones’ lap was identical to multiple ASC champion Curtain, who also posted a 1m00.0s after experimenting with set-up throughout the test. Confident he can apply his best laps from last year, the veteran opted to search for a refined setting today – eventually returning to his settings from last season.

The test saw the welcome return of former Australian Supersport Champion Troy Herfoss aboard a borrowed Honda in ninth at 1m00.2s, he too anticipating delivery of a CBR1000RR SP before round one. He’s also been linked to replacing Josh Hook at Team Honda Racing following his injuries sustained at Phillip Island.

Beau Beaton was back onboard a Ducati in ASC trim, setting a 1m00.4s late in the afternoon after over a season with Racer’s Edge Suzuki. Beaton was pitted with long-time Ducati campaigner Craig McMartin, who himself posted a 1m00.5s on his Pro-Twins Panigale.

Cube Racing Kawasaki rider Ben Henry spent much of the day aboard Pirellis he used at Phillip Island last weekend, before slotting in a set of ASC Dunlops at the end of the day. His fastest lap was a 1m01.0s.

Another rider quick during the test was veteran Phil Lovett, the Kawasaki standout lapping at a highly respectable 59.6s on his Formula Oz entry. Allerton’s teammate Ben Nicolson posted a 1m01.0s on his Formula Oz bike – both using Pirelli tyres.

In Supersport Yamaha duo Aaron Morris and Callum Spriggs were fastest with 1m00.9s laps, heading local Michael Lockart with 1m01.3s and fellow Kawasaki rider Aaron Gobert at 1m01.6s.

Fastest unofficial Kawasaki Insurances FX-300 Ninja Cup lap belonged to Australian 250 Production Champion Brandon Demmery at 1m10.4s.

Selected riders were planning to stay on for Wednesday during the circuit ride day.

2014 Swann Insurance Australasian Superbike Championship
Test – Wakefield Park, NSW

Superbike results (unofficial):
1. Glenn Allerton 58.5s
2. Sean Condon 59.0s
3. Cru Halliday 59.1s
4. Glenn Scott 59.4s
5. Robbie Bugden 59.6s
5. Chris Trounson 59.6s
7. Mike Jones 1m00.0s
7. Kevin Curtain 1m00.0s
9. Troy Herfoss 1m00.2s
10. Beau Beaton 1m00.4s
11. Ben Henry 1m01.0s

Supersport results (unofficial):
1. Aaron Morris 1m00.9s
1. Callum Spriggs 1m00.9s
3. Michael Lockart 1m01.3s
4. Aaron Gobert 1m01.6s
5. Aiden Wagner 1m02.1s
6. Mitch Levy 1m02.6s
7. Dylan Mavin 1m02.8s