Ballymena youngster Jamie Hamilton has joined forces with seasoned road race veteran Ryan Farquhar and will ride for the KMR Kawasaki team at next year's Isle of Man TT.

The 20-year-old is a former Metzeler National Superstock 600 Champion and did half a year in British Supersport before moving to litre bikes in the Irish Superbike series this season. He had been due to ride at this year's Northwest 200 but bad weather put paid to that.

Hamilton will contest a full season of road racing for KMR Kawasaki in 2012 and will contest the TT in all three 1000cc events, the Superbike, Superstock and Senior races. He will also participate in the inaugural Supertwins TT on an ER6 Kawasaki.

“I’m really enjoying road racing and can’t wait to make my TT career. I couldn’t have a better mentor than Ryan and I’m going to be working really hard during the close season to make sure that I’m in the best shape to tackle the course. I’ve already been over to the Isle of Man a few times to look at the course and I’m going to spend large chunks of the winter with Milky Quayle and Johnny Barton learning the course," said Hamilton.