“I have always wanted to do the North West but the deal has always gone wrong at the last minute!” he said as he announced his debut on one of Paul Shoesmith’s2015 spec BMW S1000RRs in the Superbike and Superstock races.

Johnson has established a strong pedigree on both the roads and tracks in recent seasons. He is currently competing in the BSB series on a MotoDex BMW but his best results have come in the British Superstock championship where he has been a regular winner. The 30 year old finished fifth in the series in 2005 although injuries have hampered his final positionin the overall standings over the last couple of years.

Johnson made his debut at the TT five years ago, scoring his best result last season when he finished fourth in the Superstock TT on a ZX10 Kawasaki. The Aussie doesn’t rule out a similar performance on the Triangle circuit.  “It will be really important to get plenty of practice time at the North West and for conditions to be dry because I don’t like riding in the wet on the roads.” he said.  “If I get enough time on the bike and I feel comfortable then I will definitely give it a crack. I don’t have any real expectations but maybe a top ten is possible.”

Johnson’s team boss is equally enthusiastic about his North West recruit’s abilities and had no hesitation in providing him with a bike.  “David has ridden for me before at the Ulster Grand Prix and we have been good mates for a long time.” the Stockport man said.  “When I heard he didn’t have a North West ride I stuck him on one of the four new BMWs I have this year.”

49 year old Shoesmith will also be racing at the North West, riding another S1000RR BMW in the Superbike and Superstock races alongside an ER6 Kawasaki in the Supertwins and a R6 Yamaha in Supersport.  “I have been coming to the North West every year since 2007 and I love it.” Shoesmith smiled.  “There is nowhere else where we are at top speed for so long and it is a great social event as well as great racing.”

Shoesmith has been instrumental in introducing an impressive list of riders to the between the hedges scene, including Peter Hickman who became the North West’s fastest ever newcomer on one of the immaculate Ice Valley BMWs last year.  “I think my own best finish at the North West was a 10th in a Superbike race a couple of years ago but I don’t really race for the results.” Shoesmith said.  “I know that I am not going to win because there are so many faster and younger riders out there but I do it for the fun of it and I like to bring a team. A lot of talented guys like Peter, Simon Andrews, Gary Johnson, Dean Harrison and Branko Srdanov have ridden my bikes and now we have David.”