JOHNSTON SECURES PIRTEK SPONSORSHIP FOR NORTH WEST 200

[Mago]

Maguiresbridge man Lee Johnston has had a windfall in the week before the Vauxhall North West 200 with the announcement that his East Coast team is to be sponsored by Pirtek for the opening international of the 2014 season.

The 25 year old will race Pirtek liveried Hondas in the Superbike, Superstock and Supersport races and a Kawasaki in the Supertwin race at Portrush.

“This is a new deal for the North West and I am really chuffed to bits that Pirtek wanted to get involved with our team.” the Fermanagh man said.

The emergency hydraulic hose replacement specialists, who have an outlet in Newtownabbey, are the sponsors of the Thursday evening Superstock race and Johnston fancies his chances in that class next week.

“I have been doing plenty of laps on the Stocker and I really like riding the Honda.” he says.

“It might not be the fastest bike out there but Bruce Anstey showed last year that it was still capable of making the podium. I had a top ten at Oulton on it last weekend and I’m feeling good.” The Fermanagh man’s preparation for this

year’s North West has been much smoother than it was last year after he broke his leg in a BSB meeting at Thruxton just four weeks before the 2013 race day. He has enjoyed a couple of North West podiums in his career to date, including a third place finish in the very wet Supersport event which was the only race run last year, but he says he is ready to make the jump on to the top step this year.

“It’s been nice to get podiums in front of your home crowd but I think it is time to win now.” he says emphatically.

“Everybody goes racing to win and I am no different than the other ten boys who could take a race at the North West. I suppose my best chances will be in the Supersport and Superstock races but we are getting the Superbike sorted now and everything is coming together well. There will be a final test at Cadwell this week to get it dialled in and then it is straight into the North West.”

Johnston will be joined at the Portrush venue next Monday and Tuesday by 2013 British Touring Car champion, Andrew Jordan, who is also sponsored by Pirtek.

“I am looking forward to meeting Andrew.” Johnston said. “He has already won three races in the

championship this year so there’s no pressure