Johnson Crash
Isle of Man TT star Gary Johnson, who finished third in last year’s Senior TT motorcycle race, is recovering after suffering a high speed crash in testing.
The 29-year-old damaged his ankle, back, hand and arm in the 140 mph crash, in which he also hit his head. Johnson was testing AIM Suzuki racing motorcycle at Cartegena, Spain, when the crash happened.
One of the big-star newcomers in 2007, Gary joined up with Uel Duncan’s Honda team and proved his debut year was no fluke with a fourth finish in he Superbike TT and sixth in the Senior.
For the 2009 IOMTT, he had an ex-Gregorio Lavilla World Superbike (WSBK) at his disposal through his Uel Duncan – Robinson Concrete Motorcycle Racing Team.
He is due to be riding for AIM Suzuki at the 2010 Isle of Man TT, which will be his fourth year at the event.
Gary Johnson
"We were going well and trying new things with the Superstock bike and also the new Evo bike with which I will contest the Evo section of the British Superbike championship this year."
"We were trying a new tyre spec, but it wasn’t working and subsequently I pushed a little too hard and lost the back end while in fifth gear doing around 140mph."
"I hit the deck hard and cracked my ankle. My left glove came off while I was sliding through the gravel so I scraped the skin off my hand and arm. I also tweaked my back and then hit the ground hard on my head which caused my helmet to cave in."
"I lost my short term memory for a while and the medics were a bit concerned so I was taken for some scans on my head which luckily proved clear."
"I am happy with my ankle and my hand isn’t too bad, but I have a few concerns about my arm as it is still a bit weepy. I am hopeful of riding at Brands and will give it a go. If I feel okay after practice then I will contest the two races on Easter Monday."
Despite his injuries, the Broughton rider is hoping to make the opening round of the British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, as well as being fully fit for the Isle of Man TT (IOMTT) – which is just 64 days away from Johnson’s accident.
