Lap by lap – Allerton Surpasses in Q2, work continues with Collins

For the second time this year in the Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK), Maxima BMW’s Glenn Allerton will go directly into Q2 after the three-time Australian Superbike Champion posted the ninth fastest time in Timed Practice today.

Allerton, who felt like the session was ‘good’ for him, managed to post a 1min54.655 around The Bend Motorsport Park circuit on his first flying lap.

The New South Welshman expressed that ninth place was “ideal and honestly felt like the session was good as the Next Gen Motorsports team and I progressed with the BMW S 1000RR. We made some changes to the front end, which made it feel a lot better.”

Both Allerton and his teammate, Ted Collins decided to sit out Free Practice three this morning, with wet conditions. This has not fazed Allerton, as he understands with more track time tomorrow he can find more speed out of himself and the Maxima BMW S 1000RR machine.

Overall, Allerton is happier than what he was yesterday with a goal of moving further up the leader board.

“I want to be doing 52’s. However, we are just not in the ideal position at the moment as we didn’t get to test here a few weeks ago. Currently, the team and I are doing the best that we can. I personally feel that I am getting my head around the track more and more with every lap we do. We just need to keep working hard and push on for tomorrow,” concluded Allerton.

In contrast to, Collins wasn’t at all happy with his Timed Practice session, which saw him finishing in fifteenth place with a time of 1min57.215. 

“I felt not a lot was working for me – I think I’ve really got to take the time tonight and have a think about what I’m doing, because what I’m doing now is not working and I’m a hell of a lot further back then where I want to be,” said Collins.

This evening both Collins and the team will discuss how and where the 2017 Australian Supersport Champion can improve himself and get him back to where he needs to be. 

Maxima BMW’s Team Manager Wayne Hepburn expressed that he was more than happy for Allerton as he has improved in the areas he has been working on. More importantly, Allerton is happy with his BMW S 1000RR.

“We did contemplate going out on another tyre knowing we could improve our time, but we decided that we were already in Q2. So, we decided to save the tyre for Saturday,” said Hepburn.

“Yes, we’re happy with the progression Glenn has made considering the lack of track time he’s had and having missed out on track time this morning which can cost a lot.”

“With Ted, it’s a little more frustrating – as he’s lapping near enough to yesterday. So, I think we need to sit down and have a chat and just work out where he’s struggling. But overall, I know he will improve tomorrow with the opportunity to advance in Q1 to Q2,” finished Hepburn.

The Australian Superbike category will have a twenty-minute warm up session tomorrow morning, which begins at 8:10am ACST, while qualifying one gets underway at 10:20am, followed by qualifying two which starts at 10:45am.

The first of three ten lap races for the weekend ignites into action at 3:40pm ACST.