David Johnson reports on the TT 2016 experience and what lays ahead
It’s been a mega busy time for me recently with the build up to the TT and obviously the TT period itself.
I landed over this side of the world in April, which is quite late, as I had to wait for my UK visa, which by the way is getting harder and harder to obtain each year…. I think it’s time we take the Union Jack out of our flag, because they do f@&k all to help us!!!
I went straight to the Isle of Man for the TT launch. That’s a mega event! Only a select few riders get the invite and they treat us like kings. It’s an evening reception at the Villa Marina Theatre, with thousands of spectators. We do loads of interviews for different magazines and TV, plus we are also an on stage for interviews in front of all the fans, which is pretty nerve racking. It’s all good fun though as they let us swear and take the piss out of each other. It’s pretty funny and great to do it for them.
After the launch it was off to England to meet the Norton crew and see my new crib, Donington Hall. It’s a Castle built in the early 1700’s and it’s all owned by Norton. It’s so pimp!!! I have my own apartment over looking the surrounding gardens and I can also see Donington Park from my room! I Love it!
We started testing on the new Norton straight away. I loved it from my first ride! Steve Plater (former TT winner) did all the testing during the off season. He did a great job with the chassis. I barely changed anything from where he set it. We just made a few changes to the riding position and then worked on electronics.
The engine was exactly the same as 2015, just refreshed but with all-new electronics that has helped a lot. The bike is so fast! It tries to rip your arms out and has around 235hp. It really needs to be man handled, but it really suits my riding style. I love big horse power as it is one of those bikes that has that “stop it, turn it, fire it” out mentality. It still needs work on the chassis to be able to run more mid corner speed, but the team are working on improving every bit of the package.
At the TT, we immediately had problems with the electronics. They are just so sensitive over the bumps and jumps of the course and it is so savage on machinery! It wrecks everything so, if anyone offers you a cheap race bike that’s done a full TT, tell them to get f@&£d!
Anyway, on the Thursday of practice week we finally got a full session in, with no problems and completed a full four laps with 128.7mph average straight away and topped both the speed traps. This was the fastest a Norton have ever done by a huge amount, and also the quickest lap time ever done by a British built machine. As I arrived back into the pits after the session, the whole pit paddock was clapping. This was really an amazing moment for me!
Then came the Superbike TT. I was given start number 15 and everyone starts 10 seconds apart. Dan Kneen was supposed to start number 14 but he “spannered” himself on a motocross bike, two weeks before, so he was missing. This meant I was 20 seconds behind Lee Johnston (who started 13th). I couldn’t see him at any point on the first lap but I just put my head down and by lap two, I could see him in the distance. This made me happy, as it meant I was in front of him in time.
I eventually caught him. He looked around when I was about 20 bike lengths behind him, because he could hear me coming as the Norton is crazy loud! 150db to be exact.
As soon he saw me, he picked up his pace, as you would if you saw a Norton behind you and you are on a factory BMW. If that don’t fire a rocket up your arse, nothing will!
I passed Lee and made a gap through the fast bumpy sections, as that was a strong point for the Norton, with the bike being real stable in those areas. But through the tight corners, the BMW was way better than my bike.
Before the last lap of the Superbike race I used Lee to my advantage and let him past at Sign Post Corner at the end of lap ,5 as I saw his lap board was P9 +0 -0, so I knew he was going to be pushing. He was faster in the first 12 miles of the track, so I sat behind him, then when we hit the fast bumpy stuff, I passed him, and took off. My strategy worked as that lap was 130.872mph!
I crossed the line 7th position!
The crowd was going insane when I rode up the “in-road” after the race! The Norton is such a popular brand and I got so much support from everyone. The team couldn’t believe our result. After years of trying and putting so much money into improving the bike and using different riders, they finally got something back.
I learnt a lot in this race and knew what we needed to do to improve the Norton for the Senior TT later in the week.
Just a few hours after this race we had a practice for Superstock. The session was red flagged due to an incident that would have a massive effect on me: one of my best mates, Paul Shoesmith was killed.
The crash was due to a mechanical problem and no fault of his own, but life can be taken that easy around the IOM.
I was only sitting with him talking shit just before the session started. He was pumped that he did his PB lap time in the Superbike race. It hit me hard. It affected my Superstock race. I ended up 9th on the Fleetwood BMW but I rode like a dick. Too much going through my head.
After that race we had a few days until the Senior TT to clear my head and focus. The Isle of Man requires 110% and there is no room, whatsoever, for error, so you need a clear head or you shouldn’t be riding.
Senior TT day – the main event! I was ready! We changed the Norton after what we learnt in the Superbike TT and I was feeling very confident
I got away well and straight into mid 130mph laps from the get go, which I have never done in the first laps of a race! So the changes worked! And we were in the mix for a top five or better! Until I felt my boot slipping off my foot peg and I knew it was oil.
In my first pit stop, I yelled to the boys to look how bad it was. They said it wasn’t too bad but on lap three it felt like it was getting worse and plus, my head was f&£ked… I didn’t trust the bike anymore and kept thinking the oil was going to have me off which is a scary thought at the TT. I kept looking down at the side of the bike. At the end of Sulby straight, a 200mph section, I missed my braking marker because my mind wasn’t on the job. I ended up going through a barrier, down a four foot drop and into a field and crashed.
I was completely unhurt and to be honest it was probably a blessing as the leak wasn’t getting any better. We found out that it was a oil breather problem. Nothing major. Just the savageness of the throttle being wide open for so long at the TT.
The potential was there for a high 131mph lap so I’m focusing on the positives.
Now I’ll be testing the 2017 Norton and also racing the Ulster GP and Classic TT, plus maybe a BSB race for shits n gigs.
I’ve not yet signed for 2017 though. My performance at the TT has all the top teams interested so I’ll just weigh up my options and go with what’s best for me. 2017 will definitely be an exciting year!!!
Cheers to everyone for all you support from back home! Plus it It was amazing to see thousands of Aussies at the TT!
Hold it Wide With Pride!!!
