Bartonfields Honda’s Gary Johnson aims to join the Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship full time in 2010 following the strong results he has obtained after joining the category at Cadwell Park only three rounds ago.
Riding for Uel Duncan Racing under a Robinson Concrete Honda banner Johnson has spent the past two years on the roads both National and International in which he has picked up several fastest newcomer titles, top ten results and podiums.
This year his success amongst others includes second place at the Ulster Grand Prix behind Guy Martin and at the Isle of Man TT he finished in the top ten in the Superstock TT and both Supersport TT races, fifth in the Superbike TT and third in the Senior TT race.
Now after a couple of years out Johnson wants to return to the short circuits full time as well as the roads.  Johnson said:  “Over the last year I decided to do a few of the small national roads, I’ve had a little bit of success on them, I’ve also done the International roads with them this year and had a good showing.”
“I have decided I would like to steer my career in where I do the both like John McGuinness who does the BSB Superstock, something that’s cost effective.  I am capable of running with these guys so to put myself in the shop window I’ve gone and bought my own bike with the prize money from the TT.”
Johnson started club racing in 2003 had his debut race in the BSB paddock the following year, won the 2005 British Supersport cup championship and suffered a couple of severe crashes which interrupted his racing seasons.  He then returned full time in the Superstock 1000cc championship in 2007 in which various problems caused him to miss a few rounds that year before he moved onto road racing.
After only taking part in the last three rounds Johnson is already 17th in the overall championship standings after finishing fifth and seventh at Croft and Silverstone following a DNF at Cadwell Park.  Johnson has also been strong in qualifying and has put himself on the second row twice.
Talking about the two difference types of racing and how he is coping with the adjustment needed between them he said: “I am contracted to Dunlop tyres on the roads and in BSB it is a controlled Metzeler tyre.  There is nothing wrong with Metzelers', but with what we are using at the minute we set the bike up to suit the tyre.  I think the bike is doing something wrong but I need to adjust my riding to suit the tyre.”
“The other thing is slowing your brain down, on a road race you go so fast for so long and you’re flat out for so long doing it. On the circuits you’ve got to slow yourself down you’re playing with the bike more. I start the weekend off trying to go too fast then have to slow myself down I need to slow down myself at the beginning of a weekend.”
Road racing only wasn’t necessarily Johnson's intention but there are a lot more opportunities and money regarding sponsorships along with prizes on the road racing scene and that has just been how his career has gone.  Now ready to return to the BSB paddock with the intention of being a title contender Johnston is now reviewing options and looking for suitable deals to make it happen.