Lee Johnston joins Saroléa Racing for TT Zero bid

The Fermanagh rider finished third in the groundbreaking clean emissions race behind Mugen’s John McGuinness and Bruce Anstey in 2015 on the American Victory machine.

“I’m buzzing to be on-board with Saroléa. I raced last year for a different team and podiumed in third, this year the plan is to podium again but faster,” said Johnston.

Last season, Johnston was one of international road racing’s standout performers, claiming his maiden big bike triumph with a hard-fought Superstock victory at the North West 200.

He finished third in the class at the Isle of Man TT behind treble winner Ian Hutchinson and Michael Dunlop and capped a magnificent year at the major international meetings at the Ulster Grand Prix at Dundrod, where Johnston won both Supersport races and put his East Coast Racing BMW on the top step of the Superstock podium once again.

The Maguiresbridge lad received a number of tempting offers during the close season on the back of his performances in 2015, but opted to remain loyal to Phil Reed at East Coast Racing, outlining his main objective of winning a TT race for the team this year.

Meanwhile, Harrison - who joined Silicone Engineering Racing after being released from his two-year contract with Mar-Train Racing - will make his debut in the TT Zero race.

“It’s my first time racing the TT Zero and I cannot wait. I’ve been following the team since they raced for the first time in 2014 and I’m itching to get on the bike,” said Harrison, who won the Lightweight race in 2014 on the RC Express Kawasaki.

“The technology is off the scale and this year is going to be flat out.”

Belgian team Saroléa Racing first competed at the Isle of Man TT in 2014 with Robert Wilson on the SP7 machine.