Glenn Allerton will contest next weekend’s round of the World Superbike Championship at Laguna Seca aboard the Next Gen BMW HP4. Image: Toby Lynch.

Two-time Australian Superbike Champion Glenn Allerton has hinted at the possibility of campaigning an entry in the EVO sub-class of the 2014 World Superbike Championship.

Allerton piloted a wildcard entry in the 2013 season opener at Phillip Island, carding 14th and 12th place finishes amongst a credentialed field.

Next week he’ll jet to the United States to contest the Laguna Seca event, but beyond that has high hopes of a move to the world championship on a full-time basis.

The EVO sub-class combines Superbike-spec chassis with Superstock-spec engines, and is designed to reduce costs and grow grid numbers.

It also places a cap on the number of engines a rider can use within a season, along with restrictions on gearbox and ECU use. Price caps are also in place on the brake and suspension packages that can be used.

“As a cost-cutting exercise it’s a great idea,” said Allerton. “Our team is possibly looking at running in the EVO class in 2014, and it’s not out of the realms of possibility.

“When we look at our budget for racing in Australia, another 100-150 grand will have us on the world stage.

“And the EVO class will also be a great opportunity for wildcards to be more competitive at their local round of the championship, so I think the introduction of the new class will be a great thing.”

Beyond his own aspirations, Allerton feels the new EVO class will offer a solid chance for more Aussies to line up on the grid and showcase their talents to an international audience at Phillip Island.

“I’m hoping a lot of the Australian teams register as wild cards for World Superbikes next February at the island,” he continued.

“We have the local knowledge, and now with the new rules it’s a real opportunity for the Aussies to show our competitiveness.”

The EVO sub-class is part of the Dorna Sports Group’s push to attract more nationalities into the championship in coming years. Australia, it is understood, is one of the countries of primary interest.

Currently, just one rider from Australia contests the premier WSBK class of competition, with Mark Aitchison substituting in a guest ride role at Team Pedercini.