ASBK

Shannon Johnson talks about success and the season that almost wasn't!

26-06-2009

After some solid results in Australia, including winning the 2002 Australian Supersport Championship, Shannon Johnson was a star on the rise and was all set to battle it out with some of the best in the business in America for 2009. Then, at the 11th hour, the global financial crisis hit and the deal fell through leaving Johnson with no bike, no team and no options. His savior came in the form of Pro Con Racing's Wayne Hepburn and before you knew it, Johnson was lining up on the grid at QLD Raceway on a Pro Con CBR600RR in the Supersport class. Surprising everyone, not least of which himself, he then bagged two 3rd positions and came 3rd for the round and top privateer...

ASBK- Firstly congratulations on the results in Round 3. It must be surreal to be where you are now after it looked like you weren't going to get a ride at all in 2009...

SJ- Absolutely! I only had done 25 laps on the bike before the QLD race but every time I got on the bike, every practice, every warm up I was feeling more comfortable and we were making improvements. To come 3rd for the round and Top privateer is great, especially after not riding competitively for almost 6 months. It’s certainly a great credit to the team too.

You knew it was going to be tough... did the level of competition surprise you?

Yeah I knew it was going to be really hard but it was more the depth of the field that surprised me. There are only a limited number of factory bikes and riders in the championship but the level of the privateer riders in terms of equipment and talent isn't that far behind the factory guys at all. In racing it's never a foregone conclusion though and we've got plenty more testing to do to catch those two blue bikes out the front!

How has it been fitting in with the team at Pro Con Racing?

Those guys are just unbelievable! It’s a real family environment and everyone wants to be there because they're passionate about racing. I've been in garages before where there are people there who just want their pay check but these guys are so dedicated. The support I've received from Pro Con and Greg Epis at Response Racing has been amazing. I'm really lucky I've been chosen by them and I'm really fitting in well- it’s the perfect environment for me.

So it’s a new bike, a new team and some have said a new Shannon Johnson...

For sure. I'm the first to admit that I created a lot of problems for myself both on and off track in the past. Things got pretty bad and people wouldn't even return my calls at the start of the year. There were some pretty dark times that I never want to revisit and I realised I had to change the way I do business. Now, with Greg Epis and Wayne Hepburn guiding me I've been able to change things and score some great results so far.

You're obviously keeping fit too. What are you doing to stay in shape at the moment?

A lot of my training revolves around cycling as I really enjoy it... but the Melbourne weather makes things a bit difficult, especially at the moment! I find it's really good for keeping my weight down and therefore going faster on the 600. I'm averaging about 300-400km per week on the bike and doing a few gym and pool sessions a week two. Its hard though as I work night shift from 4pm till 1am most nights and have a wife and kids to look after as well so I don't have all that much time available!

You're no stranger to Eastern Creek and have had some good results in the past there in Superbike. Is there a secret to setting a good lap?

The secret here, as with any track is not to try too hard. The harder you push, often the more mistakes you make. You've got to have a really balanced chassis to. It’s a track that I wouldn’t have said I liked up until a few years ago... then I started scoring some good finishes there so I'm starting to like it more and more!

So has the #42 got what it takes to mix it with the front runners at the next round?

I'd be absolutely lying if I said I didn't expect to win very soon. There's a good chance this means beating one of the blue bikes (factory Yamaha) and we've got so many more things to develop, including my riding style so I think there's an extremely good chance that the #42 will be up the front at round 4!

Shannon couldn't be here without the support from his personal sponsors Arai helmets, Berik Leathers, Musashi Sports Supplements, Response Racing and Pro Con Racing.