Johnson returns to road racing with C&L Fairburn/Jackson Racing

Australian David Johnson returns to the Isle of Man TT and International North West 200 in 2023 with C&L Fairburn/Jackson Racing.

Forced to miss both events last year due to injury, Johnson joins the rookie roads outfit on Honda machinery for the coming season, campaigning a CBR1000RR Fireblade in the Superbike and Superstock races alongside a CBR600RR in the Supersport class at the TT.

Having made his TT debut in 2010, where he won the coveted Newcomers Trophy, the now 40-year old is no stranger to riding Hondas and took his sole TT podium to date in 2019 when he finished in an excellent third place in that year’s RL360 Superstock TT race whilst riding for the official Honda UK team.

After the pandemic ruled out any road racing in both 2020 and 2021, Johnson was looking to build on that success last year but a spill at Oulton Park in May left him with a fractured pelvis and collarbone which meant he was a frustrated spectator at both events.

He did, however, return to racing at August’s Manx Grand Prix and took a fine third in the Classic Superbike race, the result following on from his brilliant victory in the same race in 2019. His return to both the TT and North West 200 is a tremendous boost to both events where he’ll be a firm challenger for the podium positions.

“I’m very happy to have joined the C&L Fairburn/Jackson Racing squad for 2023,” Johnson said on the team’s debut campaign. “Chris is a very good friend of mine and his team is very new but expanding very fast and I’m pumped to be a part of it!

“Together with the knowledge of the Jackson boys, the three bikes will be top spec for this year’s International road races and after missing last year’s TT due to injuries, I’m hungrier than ever to give the team