Johnson joins AIM Suzuki for BSB Evo

Roads star Gary Johnson will race an AIM Suzuki in the new BSB Evo class this year as well as in the three major international road races at the North West 200, TT and Ulster Grand Prix.

Johnson said: “It is a great opportunity for me to race in the new Evo class and combine it with my three road race events. It is definitely exciting and I am going to attack it from the start and be completely open-minded on what to expect.

“The new class it should be pretty equal so I know that the competition will be stiff. It is a completely new venture with the Evo class and things are shaping up well so we won’t be able to judge the competition until we are on track.

“I want to get good results for the team in the first year of the Evo class but it is also a great chance for me to get the track time and develop the bike.

“In terms of BSB we all have our fingers crossed for a good season and I think we have as good a chance as anyone to go out there and have a good shot at the first Evo title.”

AIM will also field Dennis Hobbs in the National Superstock in this full-time return to the short circuits for the AIM team that previously had success with Sean Emmett, Stuart Easton, John McGuinness and, most recently, Steve Plater in 2008.

Team owner Alistair Flanagan said: “BSB Evo a great chance for teams who have limited outside sponsorship as such to still be able to compete at the highest level in the UK as we are assured of great coverage for not a lot of outlay, and it will be a competitive, level playing field.”