Gary Johnson saves Supersport TT campaign with Martrain Yamaha

Just weeks after failing to agree terms with Smiths Triumph – despite the combination racing to victory at last year’s Isle of Man TT – Gary Johnson has saved his 2015 supersport plans with an eleventh hour deal with Yamaha’s officially backed team Martrain Racing.

Johnson, who took the squad to victory in their maiden TT campaign, started a war of words with the team in recent weeks after being replaced by TV star Guy Martin.

However, the Lincolnshire racer, who has just ocndluded Spanish testing on the GBmoto Kawasakis he will ride in the superbike and superstock classes, will now line up for the Northern Irish team, where he will line up alongside Dean Harrison; much to the delight of team boss Tim Martin.

“Adding a second rider really wasn’t in my plans for this year but when the opportunity arose to do something with Gary I couldn’t turn it down. He’s a double TT winner and perfectly capable of winning for us at the North West as well, he’s a nice lad and gets on with Dean too so he fits in very well. Dean is still our focus for the year as a whole but having Gary on board as well makes for a very exciting May and June for Mar-Train racing.”

Johnson added: “I’m really looking forward to getting on the Yamaha, it’s one of the fastest bikes out there and it would be fantastic to win three TT’s for three different manufacturers. The Mar-Train boys do a proper job, they’ve won North West 200s and came close to winning three British Championships from three attempts so you cannot argue with their credentials.” 

“Contacting Tim about a supersport ride was an easy decision, as the standard of his bikes and team are unquestionable. I’m also looking forward to teaming up with Dean; he’s one of my good friends in the paddock and his speed speaks for itself so he will be one of my biggest rivals come race day.”