Source: Supplied.

Australian Supersport Champion Troy Guenther will ride for Next Gen Motorsports in the 2017 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) as the team reunites with BMW Motorrad to field an S 1000 RR.

Guenther starred in this year’s ASBK series aboard a privateer Yamaha to clinch the title at Winton’s final round, now officially confirming he will move to the premier class next season.

“I’m very excited to be stepping up to the Superbike category with the Next Gen Motorsports team on the BMW RR,” Guenther said. “After winning the Supersport title last season, I feel it is the natural and best step to take to further my racing career.

“With Wayne [Hepburn] and the Next Gen team having extensive experience in running BMW machinery, it really gives me confidence that I will have a solid data base to help learn and develop in my rookie Superbike season. I’m also looking forward to having Ted as a teammate and together I believe we can achieve some good results for the team.”

Next Gen has had previous success with BMW, winning two ASBK championships with Glenn Allerton at the helm. The team will also continue to run Victorian Ted Collins in the Supersport division for another year.

“It’s taken a while and it’s with great pleasure that we can announce Next Gen Motorsports and BMW Motorrad Australia will be working together again on board the S 1000 RR,” explained Hepburn. “We will be competing in the rejuvenated Australian Superbike Championship for 2017.

“Our partnership in the past has had a lot of great success with two Australian Superbike Championships and one Australian Prostock Championship. Even more exciting is our new rider, current Australian Supersport Champion Troy Guenther.

“Troy recently tested Next Gen’s previous model BMW HP4 at Winton Raceway and has impressed all with his professionalism and how quickly he adapted to the huge horsepower increase from a Supersport bike, as well as the general change in characteristics.

“For sure Troy must do his apprenticeship, however the early signs and the first time on a Superbike has given us the confidence he will progress well. We have set achievable and realistic goals for Troy for the 2017 season.”

“Continuing in 2017 in the Next Gen camp will also be Ted Collins competing in his second year of the Australian Supersport Championship. The 2016 season saw Ted finish in a very respectable fifth place overall in his first year aboard the 600 at a national level. The goal we have set for Ted is to become the 2017 Australian Supersport Champion and then join Troy on a BMW Superbike for the 2018 Championship.

“We’re excited to have two very young riders that will give us all a chance to grow and develop together. Now that we have confirmed our rider line up we can begin the search for sponsors to help achieve common goals.”