JOEY Thompson has revealed his plans to return to the road racing scene later this year as he looks set to take on the Classic TT in August.
The former North West 200 podium finisher, who announced a break from international roads action earlier this year, is set to take on the Junior Classic and Lightweight Classic classes as he kickstarts his plans for a full time 2020 return.
Thompson will be heading to Aberdare next month with Paul Jinks’ Trickbits squad in a bid to take the Welsh Open prize aboard Jinks’ Triumph Moto2 machine.
But he’ll head back to the Isle of Man for a two-pronged assault on the Classic TT as he goes equipped with a Goathland Garage Paton 500 and a John Chapman Racing Honda RS250.
And while he knows his temporary departure from the roads was shrouded in controversy, Thompson is ready to get back on track.
“Not a lot of people understood the reasons behind me taking time out for a while as there was a lot of personal reasons along with the funding side of things,” he said.
“It was kept between my close family and friends, but I will be coming back stronger than I was before and it wouldn’t have been possible without a lot of individuals that never gave up on me when I was at a very low stage of my life.
“This is a fresh start for me and a new chapter to my career. I am only starting small and slowly working my way back up.”
*Image: Pacemaker Press