Johnson signs for SMR-run Gulf BMW

David Johnson has signed for the Shaun Muir Racing-run Gulf BMW Road Racing Team for 2018, taking on the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and a number of British Superbike rounds.

Johnson will team up with the new Gulf BMW squad which also sees SMR return to its partnership with the German manufacturer having entered the World Superbike championship in 2016. An extensive pre-season testing plan has been scheduled in Spain and the United Kingdom to get Johnson dialled in with the BMW S1000RR.

The Australian rider is relishing the switch back to BMW in the Superbike and Superstock classes, having spent the past two years with Norton, and is immediately aiming for the podium in 2018.

“I'm very excited to be back racing on a BMW with the full technical support of SMR and BMW Motorrad Motosport. The bikes will be as good as they can possibly be, and I am confident this package can push me to the next level at the TT,” Johnson said. “We also have the exciting challenge of the North West 200 before the TT. It will be my first competitive outing on the Gulf BMW so there is a lot of preparation to do, but I can't wait to see what the team can do.

“We have a full testing program scheduled in early 2018 so we will definitely hit the ground running come first practice at the 2018 TT races. I did my fastest lap on a BMW at the TT in 2015 [131.595mph] so this year with factory spec bikes will be a big year for me, and I will make it count.”

The team will begin testing in Spain on the 12^th March with Johnson in preparation for the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT, while a handful of wildcard appearances in BSB also expected.