Official Honda stars John McGuinness and Simon Andrews, plus Gary Johnson and Cameron Donald will compete in the Endurance World Championship in 2012 in addition to the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT this year.
However, the series clashes with the Ulster Grand Prix on August 11 at Oschersleben in Germany, effectively ruling out the appearance of all four Honda riders.
The quartet will represent the Honda TT Legends team in the Endurance World Championship, with McGuinness and Andrews riding the team’s official machines on the roads.
Donald will race the Wilson Craig Hondas at the NW200 and TT with Johnson Honda-mounted possibly on Clive Padgett’s machines or entered under the East Coast Racing banner.
Both McGuinness and Keith Amor rode for the Legends team at the Ulster GP in 2011 after missing the North West 200 due to a clash with an Endurance round at Albacete.
Johnston said:
“It’s unfortunate, but we confirmed our date early this year and the Endurance World Championship dates were only completed recently.
“A round clashes with the Ulster Grand Prix, so that means we will lose John McGuinness and Simon Andrews, but we haven’t given up hope that one of either Gary Johnson or Cameron Donald will be able to make the event.
“But we will still have a first-class line-up this year, of that you can be certain.”
The Ulster GP celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.