Having thoroughly enjoyed his descent into the IRRC scene in 2022, the lure to participate in more rounds of Europe’s premier roads series, has grown for twice TT winner Gary Johnson.
Highlights from IRRC stints last year aboard Triumph tackle included a top six finish at Horice, rostrum finish on debut at the iconic Imatranajo and finishing runner-up in the Open Supersport race opener at Frohburg.
Building towards 2023, six times TT podium finisher Johnson is training hard, getting the sponsorship, funding in place to enable more enterprising European racing trips.
Post the North West 200 and TT Races, his aim, pending all going to plan is to return to Imatranajo, the Czech TT (Horice), Frohburger Dreieck and sample for the first time, Belgium’s most acclaimed, active real roads venue, Circuit De Chimay.
Speaking about the International Road Racing Championship, which first originated in 2010, after previously been known as the 3 Nations Cup, ‘AKA Driver’ stated:
“I found the series one of the most fun and welcoming I’ve done in my career, so it would be good to go back.”
“I had fairly limited track time before the races in Horice, also Frohburg but had previous experience there, so if I can get to go back this year I want to be challenging to be on the podium, every race with the track knowledge gained last year.”
Johnson who is amongst a very select of racers, to have stood on the podium at the TT, NW200, Ulster Grand Prix and Macau Grand Prix, added:
“Really looking forward to this year. Once I can confirm all my deals, I want to try and get budget together to do as much racing as possible.
Including a couple of BSB Superstock rounds but I really want to do the rounds that are possible with dates for the IRRC.”
Photo credit: Nick Wheeler
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou