All Aussie Line-Up For Norton’s 2016 TT Campaign
Rennie Scaysbrook | December 4, 2015
Norton will have its strongest line-up ever at the 2016 Isle of Man TT, with news it has signed Australians Cameron Donald and team newcomer, David Johnson to race in the Superbike and Senior TTs.
The new year will see another evolution of the SG5 Norton, developed by former British Supersport Champion, Glenn Richards – himself another Australian. British racing legend Mick Grant will continue as team advisor.
Donald is a two-time TT winner in 2008 on the Relentless TAS Suzuki in the Superbike and Superstock class and has headed the iconic British marque’s TT efforts since 2014, earning Norton’s fastest ever TT laps and top 20 positions in the Superbike category.
“We’ve now done a huge amount of development work at the Isle of Man and having that continuity will really help us to make more progress at next year’s TT,” Donald said. “It will be good to have two bikes out and I’m sure Dave and I will be comparing notes every session to help each other.”
For Johnson, the Norton appointment comes as recognition of his continued success on the mountain circuit. 2015 saw the Adelaide-born rider’s most successful TT to date, after he set a fastest lap of 131.595mph – the fastest ever by an Australian and the ninth fastest in history – on his way to ninth place finish. He best result to date has been fourth in the 2013 Superstock TT on a Kawasaki ZX-10R.
“It’s going to be an incredible experience at next year’s TT,” Johnson said. “Riding a Norton around the Isle of Man Mountain Course, and with Cameron Donald as my teammate is a massive honor. I’m really stoked and will give it my best shot.”
