TT star Gary Johnson blames Steve Brogan for clash
Tuesday 10 August 2010
TT
Isle of Man TT star Gary Johnson has blamed British Superbike Evo Cup rival Steve Brogan for their clash during the first race of the weekend at the Brands Hatch circuit.
The pair crashed whilst battling for the Evo section lead in the first of three superbike races. Brogan was forced to retire and Johnson fell from 10th overall to 22nd.
Saturday’s race was red flagged after nine laps due to rain, and restarted over a reduced distance of 10 laps.
Broughton rider Johnson was soon up to 10th overall and chasing Evo class leader Brogan, but the pair collided as they battled for the same piece of track.
While Brogan crashed out of the race, Johnson rejoined in 22nd and battled his way through to 17th and third in class.
Johnson said:
“I should have walked that first race, but Brogie didn’t give me an inch. His crash was his own fault as I had the advantage and was ahead. He should have backed off, but chose not to and we clashed.”
“That left me playing catch up and finishing third instead of getting the win I should have had.”
Racing continued on Sunday, with the first race of the day again being red flagged. The restarted race was run over 14 laps, and AIM Suzuki star Johnson was struggling with set-up issues, similar to issues he had suffered in the opening laps of the first race before the red flag came out.
He ran as high as 16th, but fell down the field to finish 21st and sixth in the Evo class.
The final race of the weekend saw him move forward a little. Starting from 23rd he battled his way through to 19th overall, and third in class.
Johnson said:
“Despite the set up problems I managed to score points in all three races, including two podium finishes and am still placed third in the Evo class.”
“Apart from when it was wet I have been off the pace and am struggling to get a bike that I am happy with in the dry on an up and down circuit like Brands Hatch. I don’t know what the problem is, the team have tried all sorts of stuff but it just hasn’t worked.”
“Once I do get it how I want it we will be ok. I am only really looking for another second a lap to be on the pace so I need to find a set up that will give me that consistency.”