MOTORSPORT:TV star Guy Martin to ride for Smiths at Isle Of Man TT Races

Martin, who is part of the new-look Tyco BMW team for the Superbike and Superstock classes, will ride a Daytona 675, which Gary Johnson powered to victory for the Eastington- based team in the opening TT Supersport race in 2014.

Johnson - who has joined GBmoto Kawasaki this year - has seemingly been left without a ride on the Smiths Triumph, despite his heroics last year.

Aussie David Johnson has been confirmed in the Smiths line-up and will ride BMW machinery in the Superbike, Superstock and Senior events plus a Triumph in both Supersport races, which take place on the Monday and Wednesday of TT race week.

With BMW not producing a 600cc sportsbike, Martin sought out an alternative ride and the 33-year-old has bagged a proven TT winner in the Daytona 675, raising the prospect of Martin winning his first TT race on a British machine.

“I wanted the best tool for the job in the Supersport TTs so I rang Rebecca [Smith] and we ended up doing a deal,” Martin said.

“I reckon the Triumph is the bike to be on and I remember Gary Johnson passing me on the Sulby Straight last year. Alan and Rebecca are proper people who run a fantastic team and to win on their debut last year says a lot about them.”

Team manager Rebecca Smith said:"Guy has come as a somewhat late addition to our team but we are relishing the chance to work with him. We are confident that our development work over the winter on the Triumph will pay dividends at the TT and hope that Guy achieves the success that he deserves."

The top British championship team won the Supersport title in 2012 and 2014 with Glen Richards and Billy McConnell respectively and contested the international road races for the first time last season.

This year, Smiths Racing have made the step up to the MCE British Superbike Championship with McConnell riding a factory-supported BMW, while Graeme Gowland and Jake Dixon lead the charge in the Supersport series.