Johnston Confirms TT Return

Lee Johnston will make a welcome return to the Isle of Man TT with the Ashcourt Racing team, confirming his 2024 entry having been forced out from last year’s event through injury.

Johnston missed the 2023 event due to life-threatening injuries sustained at the preceding North West 200.

He will line up on Glencrutchery Road in just over four months’ time, campaigning a Honda CBR1000RR-R SP in the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock and Milwaukee Senior Races, and an Aprilia RS 660 in the two Carole Nash Supertwin Races.

Still working his way back to full fitness, the 34-year-old has completed a number of tests over the winter period and has more planned in the upcoming months before his season gets underway.

He said: ‘It’s never good to miss a year at the TT, but even more so when the weather was as good as it was last year. The amount of track time and the sheer number of laps completed saw the game move on considerably. You’ve got to do 130mph+ now to win a Supersport race which is unreal.

‘I’m being realistic about it. This will be somewhat of a rebuilding year but I can’t wait to get back on my bike at the TT. Obviously I want to do as well as possible, particularly in the Supersport and Supertwin Races, but I want to enjoy it as well.’

While the TT comes round in May, Johnston will be competing in the British Championship come April.

He added: ‘I’d say I’m at about 80% fitness right now. That’s amazing considering where I was and I’m feeling really good. Of course, some days are worse than others but I’m feeling positive and am going to try and win some races in 2024.

‘After the injuries I received last year, many people assumed I’d be quitting but it’s not for them to say that as they don’t know what racing means to me, and one thing I learnt from watching from the sofa last year is that I’m not done with racing yet. There’s a lot of life and a lot of races in me yet.’