Road racing veteran, Paul Shoesmith will be back at the 2016 Vauxhall International North West 200 on May 8-14 with an exciting new look Ice Valley BMW squad.

“Previously the team has always ran Superstock spec machinery but this year we decided to push the boat out and buy a factory built superbike engine from BMW.” Shoesmith explained.

“So now David Johnson will be riding a full blown Superbike in our colours at the North West 200.”

Johnson, who is the fastest Australian ever around the Isle of Man TT circuit, had a pair of top ten finishes at last year’s North West 200 he but will be hoping for bigger and better things in come May.

“The team is taking a big step up going full factory with the new engine.” the former BSB runner said.

“The bike will also have Ohlins suspension for 2016 and should be a really competitive package.”

Johnson’s long-term backers, 4 Anjels, will also now partner Ice Valley as the squad’s title sponsors.

“Dave has proved what he can do with the right equipment in recent seasons and we are putting that under him this year.” team boss Shoesmith said.

The Cheshire man, who began racing in 1999, will also be in action at the North West on a Superstock spec S1000RR BMW alongside latest Ice Valley recruit, Sam West.

West made his debut at last year’s North Coast event on a four year old ZX10 Kawasaki and is delighted to make the step up to the German superbike in 2016.

“Sam is an exciting new prospect and after a year of struggle on older machinery I think he will show his true potential on the BMW this season.” Shoesmith says of his latest protégé.

The team will also compete at the TT, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau but it is the superfast North West 200 that Shoesmith is most excited by.

“We can’t wait to get to the North West to see how fast this new Superbike is.” he smiled.

“Our stockers are putting out 207 bhp at the back wheel so we will be hoping to top 200mph in the speed traps on all of our bikes!”