DAO Racing will return to road racing in 2026, it has announced, after two years away from the discipline.
The team took notable success as a road racing outfit, most significantly in 2019 when it won the Senior TT with Dean Harrison.
Since 2024 it has been a BSB-only team, but 2026 will be the team’s return year to the roads, with Josh Brookes riding DAO’s Honda CBR1000RR-R at both the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 events.
“It gives me a lot of confidence that for the 2026 Isle of Man TT and North West 200 I’ll be competing with a team that has a proven pedigree at the events, and I’m proud to represent Sommai and Clarrisa’s team,” said Brookes.
“Reflecting on 2025, I was racing with DAO Racing in BSB and then I rode for a separate outfit on the roads, which was a little bit disruptive to my preparations.
“I think staying with one team throughout the whole process is a far better environment to work in, the equipment will be to the highest standard, something in which DAO Racing prides itself on.
“I’ll have a better understanding of where the bike is, what’s capable and I’ll have the confidence in the continuity of all the crew and team behind me.
“It’ll make for a more pleasant, competitive and enjoyable experience at these events.”
The 2026 Isle of Man TT takes place between 25 May and 6 June. The North West 200 takes place a couple of weeks before on 6–9 May.
Team manager Jonny Bagnall added: “We’re really excited to be making our return to road racing for 2026 after two years away from the events. I think it’s really important for Sommai and Clarrisa to have a presence in the paddock, especially with them residing on the Isle of Man. Josh competed at the events last year and both Sommai and Clarissa wanted the team to make a return in 2026, so it felt natural for us to do that.
“It’ll be exciting to see how we get on, the roads were our pedigree, it’s how the team started back in 2014 and what we set out to compete in, so it’ll certainly be great for everyone to return.
“We want to have a fast and safe road racing season, Josh is very experienced around the Isle of Man TT and the North West 200, he rode the Fireblade at both events in 2025 and I think it’ll be more consistent for him this year, because he’s comfortable with the crew and the bike he’s riding, especially with him riding it week in, week out at BSB. So, I feel that consistency and positive environment around him will help achieve some fantastic results.”
