The mentality that fuels road racers, not short-circuit racers, but riders who take on events like the Isle of Man TT and North West 200, is fascinating. At least, it is to me. Growing up in Ireland, one of the few places in the world where road racing is still legal and somewhat prominent, I wanted to do it as a teenager until a friend dissuaded me.
It's still a thought that lingers, but Lee Johnston doesn't let it linger. The thought flourishes within Johnston and drives him, and I think his circumstances make his drive to compete even more interesting because he's on the cusp of great things.
Don't get me wrong, Johnston is already a TT stage winner, an accolade very few names are ever tied to. But he's been so close to winning BSB championships and more TT stages that you can't help but root for him each year. The 34-year-old is a talented rider who's given so much to the sport, physically and mentally.
It's the fact that he is such a skilled rider who's so close to the top of the road-racing food chain yet has seemingly paid a higher price than more successful riders that makes his take on road racing so interesting.
Johnston was involved in a horrific crash at the 2023 North West 200, leaving him with life-threatening injuries. Since then, Johnston documented the mental trauma that he's gone through as a result of the crash on his YouTube channel, which is definitely worth checking out. But it's Taylor Mackenzie's channel that this article revolves around.
Mackenzie, who's a former Gran Prix rider, National Superstock 1000 champion, and Moto3 team manager, is Johnston's best friend and produces great content. So, who better to get the answer from Johnston, a racer who's been tantalizingly close to stacking wins on wins but paid more than most people could understand? Check out the interview below.
I thought the interview had some insightful lines that helped to show how difficult it is for road racers to express what's going on in their heads and how the pull is so strong to race, but expressing it is extremely difficult.
Now I want to hear from you. Let us know in the comments if you feel any closer to understanding the mentality of a TT racer or if this interview made you feel even more lost.
