In addition to his RST Superbike and PokerStars Senior TT Race duties for Norton Racing at the 2017 Isle of Man TT Races, Australian Josh Brookes will contest the Bennetts Lightweight TT riding for Ryan Farquhar’s IEG/KMR Kawasaki team.

Brookes, who will be making his first appearance in the class, will campaign the bike originally earmarked for Hudson Kennaugh which Michael Rutter took to first and second place finishes at the recent North West 200 road races. Riding for three-time TT winner Farquhar, Rutter also became the first rider to lap the Triangle circuit at more than 110mph.

With Kennaugh withdrawing from the event and Brookes keen to extend his 2017 race schedule around the Mountain Course, the 2015 British Superbike Champion, currently lying fourth in this year’s table, struck a deal with Farquhar and will be among the favourites for victory in the four lap race.

The 33-year old, who will be making his third appearance at the TT, will be the fourth rider in an already formidable looking line-up at KMR Kawasaki that also features Lee Johnston, Peter Hickman and Danny Webb. It’s a team packed with talent and pedigree and one that Farquhar is extremely proud of and whilst results are never guaranteed, he certainly has a great chance of success.

Ryan Farquhar: “When Hudson withdrew from the North West 200 and TT, my immediate focus was on the North West and Michael did an absolutely brilliant job to take a race win after stepping in at the last minute. He’d already agreed to ride the Paton at the TT though so wasn’t available but having had tentative talks with Josh over the winter, I’m now delighted to welcome him on board. Having a ride of that pedigree riding for KMR is a terrific coup and I’m really looking forward to working with him.”

“We were a little bit down on top speed at the North West but Michael showed what the bike was capable of, particularly in the handling department, and with four incredibly talented riders on the KMR Kawasaki’s, we’re confident of having a good TT. It’s going to be hard work, without doubt, but all four riders are more than capable of standing on the podium so we’ll be giving it our best shot.”

Qualifying for this year’s TT is due to get underway on Saturday 27th May with the four-lap Bennetts Lightweight TT scheduled to take place on Wednesday June 7th.