Xpress Racing Team announces 2005 plans

xpress racing
By Carly Rathmell
March 1 2005

Xpress Racing Team Principal, Nigel Broomhall, is proud to announce his plans for the forthcoming 2005 National Superstock series.

After running the popular young Australian rider Dave Johnson at the last round in 2004, at Donington Park, Xpress Racing have come to an arrangement to run the Hinkley based rider in 2005.

The Stoke-on-Trent based team will be starting the season on last year’s Suzuki GSX-R1000s, which have been meticulously prepared by Revolution UK. They will certainly be one of the serious contenders in the series, and will be looking at taking one of the top spots come the end of the year. With thirteen races ahead of them, the team undoubtedly have their work cut out, but it is not a challenge out of their reach.

The full team has a serious history in motorcycle racing, and combined together they should provide one of the most competitive teams in the field. The riders will race at eleven different circuits around the country and, for the first time, the Superstock riders will visit the fantastic circuit of Mondello Park in Southern Ireland - a trip that the team is eagerly awaiting.

The National Superstock Championship is run alongside the British Superbike series, which is now known to be one of the toughest and most physical national championships in the world - producing various different World Superbike champions and MotoGP contenders. The National Superstock Championship is one of the most highly fought out championships, with there being constant battles for the overall podium places. It has produced some of the closest racing to date, and is always highly contested amongst the fighting field.

Born in Adelaide, Australia, the 21-year-old Dave Johnson, who now lives in Hinckley near Leicester ,has made a remarkable impression in his short racing career. A former World Champion in BMX riding, Dave turned to the track in 2000 and gained himself some very creditable results. Competing his first year in the Australian 125cc Championship he finished eighth, smashing various lap records in the process. He came to England in 2002 and took part in the Junior Supersport Championship, finishing eighth overall.

He followed that up in 2003 with tenth overall in the National Superstock Championships. He raced again in the Superstock Championship in 2004 and gained his best result of the year - fifth - after joining Xpress Racing for the last round. Still only young and with a lot to learn, the youngster has a huge career ahead of him and, with the backing of Xpress Racing, he is confident of a good result in 2005. During the off season Dave has ridden in two South Australian Championships, taking the wins in both races, and also gained podium positions in some Classic Racing.

Commenting, Team Principal Nigel Broomhall said, “We’re going into this season with high hopes and a lot of belief in Dave’s abilities as a rider, as I know he is very capable of getting the results that he deserves. Everyone involved in the team will be helping Dave achieve his goal, and we’re throwing all the money we have towards him and the racing team this year. We’re really excited about the prospect and we are putting everything we have into it. Budgets are tight and we are hoping that a good year will help us on that front. It’s going to be a tough year and we know that, but it’s a challenge we are prepared for.”

Speaking with Dave, he said, “I’m so excited about this year and really revved up for it. I can’t wait to get back out there racing, and I’ve had a bit of time on a bike when I went back home, which has kept me on my toes and eager for more. I have a new sponsor that I would like to thank for their support for this year, and that’s Drayton Croft, who are providing me with boots, helmets, leathers and gloves for the season - which is a massive help and I’m most grateful. I’m really looking forward to the first race at Brands Hatch on Easter Weekend.”

The race calendar for the National Superstock Championships is as follows:
28 March, Brands Hatch Indy; 10 April, Thruxton; 24 April, Mallory Park

2005 British Superbike calendar:
Rnd1 Brands Hatch Indy, 28th March
Rnd2 Thruxton, 10th April
Rnd3 Mallory Park, 24th April
Rnd4 Oulton Park, 2nd May
Rnd5 Mondello Park, 15th May
Rnd6 Croft Circuit, 5th June
Rnd7 Knockhill, 26th June
Rnd8 Snetterton, 10th July
Rnd9 Silverstone, 21st August
Rnd10 Cadwell Park, 29th August
Rnd11 Oulton Park, 11th September
Rnd12 Donington Park, 25th September
Rnd13 Brands Hatch GP, 9th October

For more information see: www.xpressracing.co.uk · www.davidjohnsonracing.co.uk