Allingham Targets Championship Double Amid Personal Resurgence
David Allingham credits renewed confidence and support from SMS/Nicholl's Oils BMW team for overcoming previous injuries and mental struggles.
Northern Ireland motorcyclist David Allingham is pursuing the British Superstock Championship title after securing seven wins from nine races this season. The rider, who competes for the SMS/Nicholl's Oils BMW team, attributes his current form to a significant personal turnaround and renewed confidence. Allingham described the transformation as vital, noting that belief is "everything" in his performance.
A pivotal shift in mindset occurred following a double victory at Brands Hatch last year. The result altered Allingham’s perspective on his capabilities, leading him to conclude that he could win at every track, not just his home circuit. This confidence has translated into a dominant run in the current championship, a trajectory he admitted he "would have taken all day long" if offered at the start of the year.
The path to this success has not been without significant obstacles. Allingham previously struggled with mental battles that he felt were exacerbated by external advice, describing sports psychologists as "nearly over complicating the whole job." His determination was further tested by a broken leg sustained in a crash at Thruxton, an injury that left him questioning whether to continue in the sport.
Support from his fiancée, Megan, played a crucial role in preventing him from quitting. Allingham recalled telling her he no longer knew if he wanted to continue, only for her to encourage him to start believing in himself. This personal support system, combined with the backing of his team, helped rebuild his self-assurance after a period of self-doubt and injury.
Allingham highlighted the role of his team, describing them as a "little team from Eglinton and Greysteel" that helped stabilise his career. He noted that the team’s initial response to his struggles was to offer support, allowing him to compete against larger organisations with renewed vigour.
The rider has now set a specific goal for the remainder of the season: winning the championship before his planned wedding. He described this sequence of events as the "perfect ending" to a defining year, aiming to secure the title and then marry in the following week.
A full interview with Allingham is available on the BBC NI YouTube channel as part of the BBC Bikes podcast, where he discusses the mental aspects of his resurgence and his strategy for the final races.
