Kawasaki has announced it will throw its factory support behind Lee Hardy Racing for its 2024 Isle of Man TT bid.

The manufacturer has been without an operating partner for the storied road racing festival since DAO Racing confirmed it won’t compete at the TT in order to focus on short circuit competition in the British Superbike and National Superstock Championships.

Kawasaki, which scored four podiums across the Superbike/Senior TT and Superstock with Dean Harrison and DAO Racing, will therefore team up with Lee Hardy Racing, which in turn is stepping back from BSB commitments to focus on its revived roads programme.

Fronting its bid will be the experienced David Johnson, who in 2023 scored a top ten finish in the Senior TT on the C&L Fairburn Jackson Racing Honda. The Australian is one of the TT’s most prominent racers, with one podium and four top five results to his name at the event.

“I'm very happy to get the Kawasaki ride with Lee Hardy Racing. I've always got along great with Lee, and he always prepares immaculate, very competitive bikes. 

“I have been riding a lot out here in Australia, and since agreeing on a deal, I've been extra motivated to be at the top of my game come May. Testing begins very soon, and I can't wait to get started!”

Kawasaki’s road racing campaign will get underway first with the build-up event to the TT, the North West 200 in May.

“The Road Racing season is always an incredible spectacle, and it's fantastic to have such a strong combination of rider and team for 2024, who we're sure will put on a great show for the thousands of fans lining the roads,” added Ross Burridge, Head of Marketing & Racing Department at Kawasaki UK 

“With a strict few months of training and testing planned for Davo and the team, we are sure they will be right in the thick of the action when the flag drops at the NW200 in May."