Lee Johnston hasn’t competed at the North West 200 since suffering serious injuries in a practice session crash back in 2023
Lee Johnston insists he is not retiring from road racing but added an imminent return is unlikely “unless something drastic happens next year”.
Johnston has not competed on the roads since suffering serious injuries during a practice session for the 2023 North West 200.
The Fermanagh racer, who is a former winner around the Isle of Man, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, has been focused on British Supersport Championship with his Sencat by Swan Racing team.
And with no plans to expand its programme to includes road races Johnston says there will be no return for him for the foreseeable future.
The elephant in the room, road racing, is something that I get asked all the time,” Johnston disclosed in a recent YouTube vlog.
“My boss Chris, who owns the team, has two young sons who race. I fully understand his decision that the last thing he wants is to introduce them to the world of road racing.
“He loves it, he thinks it’s cool, but you have your kids doing it is another thing. That’s how this situation of me being in the team – that wasn’t a road racing team – came about.
“I joined because it was the best for me, bringing my mechanics. I am enjoying it, making plans. I know people will say ‘why don’t you go back to road racing’.
“It’s not going to happen. Unless something drastic happens next year with a different team, which is not looking likely at all, that will be the case.
“I didn’t want to do a whole big spiel about retiring from road racing. That’s not what is happening. I am just not going. That’s the end of the conversation.”
Johnston had planned to compete in 2024 but suffered a broken leg in a crash during pre-season testing.
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