Johnson returns to Speedworks of Aston Festival

Ron Johnson will return to Speedworks Motorsport for the first time since 2012 this week when he competes in the Aston Martin Racing Festival race at the 83^rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

After making his sports car racing debut in 2009, Johnson drove Speedworks’ popular Chevrolet Corvette Z06 R GT3 in 14 Avon Tyres British GT Championship races between 2010 and 2012 racing alongside Piers Johnson – no relation.

Johnson, who also previously competed in the BTCC-supporting Michelin Ginetta G50 Cup with the team, will be behind the wheel of the team’s Aston Martin Vantage GT4 which recently finished third in class at the Britcar 24 Hours at Silverstone.

“This is a new thing, new car, you just work your way up to it, keep going and try and get faster and faster,” Johnson said after testing the car for the first time at Silverstone last month.

“First off I didn’t know what to expect. We were on old tyres, not the right ones” he added. “Then we came in and put the new Michelins on and that was good. Then it really all came together so the last session was my quickest lap times.”

Speaking about his return to Speedworks Motorsport, Johnson said:

“I enjoy their company, I enjoy racing with them,” he said. “It’s always nice to be around people you get on with and it’s an important part of your weekend.”

Now in its eleventh year, the Aston Martin Racing Festival is a 45 minute race on the morning of the 24 Hours of Le Mans open to a range of Aston Martin machinery. Up to 60 cars are expected to take to the track in this year’s race, which will be the first time Johnson has raced on the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe.

“I’ve never raced there (Le Mans), I’ve never even been there as a spectator. So I’m combining this all in one,” he said. “I’m going to race there round the circuit in the morning, which is a privilege, and I don’t have to drive for 24 hours!”