Just seen on Twitter in the last few minutes that Lee Johnston has split from Jackson Racing and will be BMW mounted in the TT.

Very strange, is there (was there?) something going on I didn't know about?

I don't know any details other than the split has been announced.

Just speculating but I wouldn't be surprised if its something to do with not wanting to ride the new 'blade.

For someone like Lee I'd think the TT will make up a fair bit of his earnings for the year and put him in the shop window for next years rides so he can't really afford a major gamble.

Still no word from the Honda Factory team either - I'd have been certain we'd have been notified of a replacement for JMcG by now if all was well in the camp (shuffle someone up from the satellite teams).

It'll be a shame for the event if they don't get sorted out.

Sam

I really dont know what Honda are going to do.
What is the worst PR?
Turn up with a bike/one ride/ second rider that is not proven/ that is going to finish down field, or pull the bikes and GM and go the 'safety' route?

Considering what happened to McPint, if the bike was the possible/probable cause finishing down the field might not be the worst PR!

Safety is paramount anywhere, but especially at the TT, and the lack of announcements from Honda about the bike being safe to ride makes me think they will pull the plug this year.

As far as im aware Lee was never riding the new fireblade, Jackson Racing were running the 2017 WSB spec machine.

Lot of noises that he had issues with Josh Brookes who had joined the team to ride the 600 only, but I wouldnt have thought he would have thought that would be the reason for leaving at this late date.

By the way has anyone seen the Honda Racing trucks on the island yet?.............

(25-05-2017, 12:13 PM)c iom tt Wrote: I really dont know what Honda are going to do.
What is the worst PR?
Turn up with a bike/one ride/ second rider that is not proven/ that is going to finish down field, or pull the bikes and GM and go the 'safety' route?

I reckon the worse PR scenario is if they have another JM situation at the TT. For the sake of Guy (and whoever else they might've been sounding out), I sincerely hope they go for the 'Safety First' option & pull the plug. We all know that Road Racing's dangerous enough without folk going out there on a bike that doesn't inspire trust & confidence. Frankly, Honda only have themselves to blame.

(25-05-2017, 03:14 PM)cookie77 Wrote: As far as im aware Lee was never riding the new fireblade, Jackson Racing were running the 2017 WSB spec machine.

Lot of noises that he had issues with Josh Brookes who had joined the team to ride the 600 only, but I wouldnt have thought he would have thought that would be the reason for leaving at this late date.

By the way has anyone seen the Honda Racing trucks on the island yet?.............

Could this be the reason for the split  http://www.motorcyclenews.com/sport/tt-r...port-tt-2/  

Does this mean he won't be riding at all this year, it would be a great shame if he doesn't!

allready been said lee now going to be on bmw

He has a twin off Ryan and I've seen a photo on his twitter page with a Padgett 600

The news has been reporting that Honda is not putting anyone on John's bike. Given that, does anyone know what this was all about?

So in the end Lee got him self a ride on the the works Honda as No2 to Hutchinson.