Johnson grateful after 'excellent' TT
The incredible form of Gary Johnson at the 2008 Isle of Man TT has cemented his place as one of the young stars of the future.
The Uel Duncan Racing rider, in only his second TT, recorded four top six finishes, including a best of fourth in the Dainese Superbike TT.
His only retirement came in the Scottish Life International Superstock TT. It was a cruel blow as, after the opening lap, he was lying in second place and looking good for his first TT podium.
Johnson also set a new personal fastest lap of the famous Mountain Circuit, with an average speed of 127.272mph around the 37¾ mile course. That speed means he is now the 10th fastest person ever on the TT circuit.
The Brigg rider impressed thousands of fans, as well as manufacturers and team bosses, with his speed and style, particularly in the opening Superbike race.
The two Relentless Supersport Junior TTs yielded a fifth and a sixth, two more silver replicas and numerous 120mph-plus laps.
In the blue riband Dainese Senior TT, the final race on the Mountain Circuit of TT2008, Johnson lapped in excess of 127mph and was in contention for a fourth place until problems in the closing stages of the six-lap race dropped him to sixth.
Speaking at the end of the TT, a clearly delighted Johnson said:
‘It’s been an excellent week of racing for me at the TT and whilst I would have loved to have got a podium, I’ve got to be happy with what I’ve achieved here.’
‘With it being only my second time here I was well aware I still had a lot to learn, even more so with three bikes to ride this year, so I just wanted to have a solid, safe week and build on what I’d achieved in 2007.’
‘I’m over the moon to have recorded four top six finishes as it’s been incredibly competitive with some great TT riders on some great machines.’
‘I was a bit tense in the first race and my knee stiffened up a bit mainly because I wasn’t quite sure where I could relax properly, but I worked on this for the rest of the week and had no problems at all during the races.’
‘I was obviously gutted to have ran out of fuel in the Superstock race, but these things happen so we put it behind us and concentrated on finishing the week positively.’
‘The results have been excellent and I’ve really enjoyed racing at the TT this year – the bikes, Dunlop tyres and support have been excellent. I’ve got to say a big thank you to everyone in the team, especially to Uel and Gareth, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s TT.’