Rodney Johnson in action at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, Phillip Island two weekends ago. By Marc McGowan
NOBLE Park motorcyclist Rodney Johnson returned to Phillip Island and tore up the track at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix two weekends ago.
Johnson competed in the Australian Superbike category, a support event for the MotoGP races and finished 13th overall on his Yamaha R1.
He made his debut in the event last year, where he finished marginally better, in recording a 12th-placed result.
“It’s intimidating when you go into the pits and you see how much they’ve spent on their bikes,” he said. “It’s where everyone that races wants to be.”
It has been a whirlwind few years for him, after only taking up the sport in 2004.
Johnson is friends with Cranbourne racer Ken Onus and after watching him compete, decided to get involved as well.
Onus’ company MegaCycle Engineering has sponsored him since his inception to the sport.
“He causes me more grief than anything else,” Johnson joked.
He started off in the Supersport class, which races 600cc bikes rather than the 1000cc machines he uses in Superbikes, to learn the ropes of motorcycle racing.
“You don’t have to start there, but they’re easier to ride and you learn a lot,” he said.
The memories of his early days are still those Johnson holds dearest.
“In my first race I came up against all these experienced riders and I managed to win,” he said.
Despite his obvious talent as a rider, Johnson is still forced to take risks to keep up with his factory-backed rivals.
“It is hideously expensive (to race),” he explained.
“Sometimes you have to sacrifice quality tyres, because it’s so expensive. I don’t like to, but because you love the sport you do it.”
He lists many reasons for his attraction to motorcycle racing.
“This might sound sexist, but it really is a man’s man sport,” he said.
“I love the competition and the fact it’s so fast-paced.”
His next challenge is the Tri-State Series that includes competitors from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, coming up next month at Eastern Creek.
Beyond that, he has plans to compete at the Isle of Man, which he describes as the mecca of motorcycle racing. The course is 60 kilometres long and is run over four laps.
“Ken has been up there and it cost him $20,000,” Johnson said.
“We know some people over there now, so it’ll probably cost me a bit less – around $15,000.”
Johnson has one goal ahead of all others, though.
“The first is just to stay alive!” Johnson joked.
