Josh Brookes will head to the Isle of Man TT on the back of confidence-building North West 200 results, while also taking on a new Supersport challenge with debut squad Uggly & Co Racing
Josh Brookes’ encouraging North West 200 showing has put the Australian in an upbeat frame of mind ahead of the 2026 Isle of Man TT, with the veteran also confirmed for a fresh Supersport campaign on Suzuki machinery.
Brookes was a consistent front-runner in the 1000cc classes at the North West 200, banking top-five finishes in all three races and standing on the podium in Superstock. Those results came after a significant improvement in the behaviour of the DAO Racing Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, an area that had previously held him back on the roads.
Speaking to Crash.net, Brookes said the breakthrough was centred on one crucial area.
“Purely, for me, just stability was the most critical factor,” he said.
Brookes explained that, unlike last year, the Honda gave him a much better base from the opening sessions, allowing the team to focus on refinement rather than trying to cure a major flaw.
“But we were very [pleased to find] that the bike stayed nice and stable even in the dry. From that moment, we started to make little changes to try and make the package more comfortable for me to be able to brake later and be more confident in making a pass, for example.”
Even more promisingly, Brookes felt there was still a buffer in his riding at the North West, suggesting more speed may be available as TT fortnight unfolds. As he told Crash.net: “I was riding like I was on a road, a public street.”
That has helped shape a clear target for the Mountain Course. Brookes said via Crash.net: “I would like to be somewhere amongst the podium potential.”
At the same time, Brookes has added another intriguing piece to his 2026 TT plans by signing with newly formed Uggly & Co Racing for the two Monster Energy Supersport races.
The long-time TT paddock supporters will field Brookes on a next-generation Suzuki GSX-R750, marking the team’s first move from backing road racing from the sidelines into running its own TT entry. The partnership also gives Brookes another opportunity to build on an already solid Supersport record around the Mountain Course, where he has six top-10 finishes including a best of fifth.
His career credentials in the category run much deeper than TT form alone. Brookes won the 2004 Australian Supersport Championship, scored a World Supersport victory in Australia as a wildcard and later finished third overall in the 2008 world standings.
Brookes said: “It’s a new project but an exciting one and having made my TT debut on a Suzuki back in 2013 I have high hopes for the GSX750 on the Mountain Course. Although we are a new team, we’ve got some good people involved so we hope to keep building on the package and my confidence as we get more time on the bike and then see what we can do at the TT.”
Uggly & Co Racing team owner Al Morris said: “This is a hugely exciting project for us this year. As a brand born from road racing, this has always been where we wanted to take things. From day one, Uggly&Co has been built on supporting racing, travelling the country, showing up at events, backing grassroots lads and dads as well as experienced champions. Motorcycling is all about camaraderie and community, and getting more involved in that is something we’re proud of. We’ve supported many riders since the beginning, so it means a lot to continue that journey with Josh after backing him personally in 2024.”
