TT: Lee Johnston parts company with Jackson Racing

Lee Johnston has parted company with the Jackson Racing team ahead of the 2017 Isle of Man TT, which gets underway this Saturday.

MCN understands the decision was made between Johnston and the team shortly after the North West 200, where the Northern Irishman finished on the podium for the family-run outfit in the Superbike race.

It’s believed Johnston will campaign his East Coast Racing BMW S1000RR in the Superbike and Senior races as well as the Superstock outing.

While the Jackson team have confirmed Australian Josh Brookes will take over the CBR600RR machine set to be ridden by John McGuinness, the squad have no replacement for Johnston at the present time. However, they will be taking their ex-Nicky Hayden WSB-spec Superbike to the TT and will field it should the right rider come along.

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“After a mixed week at the North West 200 it’s fair to say the team experienced the highs and lows of the sport, John getting injured was both a shock and blow to the team and we wish him a speedy recovery, finishing on the superbike podium was great for all involved in the team,” the team said in a statement on Facebook.

“Since the NW200 things have taken a different route, Josh Brookes will now ride John’s CBR600RR in both Supersport races. Jackson Racing have parted company with Lee and wish him all the best. This wasn’t in the plan but that’s racing

“We had a positive test with Josh yesterday, the team worked well together and are now focusing on the Isle of Man TT. It’s late in the day but we are talking with another rider and are hopeful we can have at least have two Supersport machines on the grid.

The superbike will be prepared ready with the view if the right rider comes along (as we all know anything can happen at the TT) then we will run it.” 

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