Dave Johnson to make Classic TT debut

Australian Dave Johnson will make his Classic TT debut in 2015, with the TT frontrunner signing up to ride a Suzuki GSX-R1100 in the Formula One class for Yorkshire based Team York Suzuki/Big Dog Classic Racing.

Johnson, who narrowly missed out on a podium in the Superstock TT at last year’s event, is no stranger to classic machinery, taking a number of wins and podium finishes at January’s Phillip Island Classic in his native Australia.

The team will be run by former racer Kevin Pearson, a committed supporter of the Classic TT since its inauguration. The team took a podium finish in the F1 class in 2014 with Russ Mountford onboard.

Speaking after the announcement, Johnson commented: “I’ve been following the progress of the Classic TT the past two years and really wanted to be involved. I’ve done a lot of Classic racing in my career and I can’t wait to get out on the Mountain Circuit for the first time on something other than a modern Superbike. I’m really grateful to Kevin at Team York Suzuki for giving me the chance to ride what is obviously a very fast motorcycle having finished on the podium last time out. Hopefully I can get it back into the winners enclosure in 2015.”