Michael Johnson
From Early Days to Kart Championships
Speed has been a part of Michael Ryan Johnson’s life for as long as he can remember. When he wasn’t watching his father design, build, and compete in World of Outlaw Sprint Cars as a kid, Michael was wheeling R/C cars, Big Wheels, and pedal carts at speed with his brother Phillip.
As Michael graduated from human power to motors, he could be found sliding karts around Texas tracks, his Briggs and Stratton-powered sled soon replaced with high-revving 100cc two-strokes, then lightning-quick CR 125cc shifter karts. He was hands-on, and all-in: pre-mixing oil into fuel, adjusting centrifugal clutches, becoming one with the machine. Before long, Michael rose through the ranks with support from legendary team owners Wayne and Rhonda Mims-Brown and sponsorship from Arrow Racing Karts. Success followed: track records were broken, three KART National Championship wins were earned, and he competed at the World Finals in the Canary Islands with the prestigious U.S. Rotax Max team.
From Karts to Cars - Into the Heart of Racing
Michael leveraged his karting success into single seater SCCA Formula Continental competition in a 1600cc Van Diemen open-wheel racer. Along with testing in Pro Formula Mazda, Michael competed in the New Zealand Toyota Racing Series. Following graduation from the University of North Texas, Michael re-located to the U.K. where he coached full-time at the PalmerSport school, home of Formula Palmer Audi and F2 championships.
Motorsports and Mentorship
After returning stateside, Michael drove and instructed for a number of automotive manufacturers at races and track day events. His full-time return to motorsport was marked with a victory at an eight-hour sports car endurance race at Hallett Motor Racing Circuit.
Michael currently offers private one-on-one coaching with individual drivers as well as with a number of racing teams ranging from club racers to IMSA level competition. On track Michael offers driving skills to clients as both test driver, to help setup cars, and in Pro-AM driver pairings in endurance races.
