Rising Irish star Glenn Irwin has signed a last-minute deal to ride in this year's British Supersport Championship and will share awning space with CDH Racing's Dean Hipwell for 2012.

The pair were testing at Cadwell Park over the weekend and Irwin managed to iron out a few gremlins on his MET Healthcare/Megastore247-backed Yamaha while taking cues from his experienced team-mate.

I" am delighted to have signed for MET Healthcare/Megastore247 in partnership with CDH Racing. It’s been a long and testing few months for me but I’ve kept my head up and trained harder than ever with current British Supersport champion Alastair Seeley. I’m under no illusions how tough British Supersport and Supersport Cup will be but with the experience of CDH racing and the backing of my sponsors we will be competitive," said Irwin.

"We managed to get in around 25 lapsat Cadwell on Saturday following a few teething problems, and a few suspension clicks from Colin Hipwell the bike felt great. I did a short race simulation with Dean and after a five-month lay off we were already under our best times. Dean’s a quality and experienced rider who proved his pace last year with top ten performances, an ideal team-mate from whom I can learn a lot.

"Roll on Brands Hatch, I can’t wait to work with CDH racing again and promote MET healthcare and megastore 247 with some good performances. A massive thank you to those who have supported me in recent weeks plus all my other sponsors MET Healthcare, Megastore247.com, CDH Racing, Valvenet.net, Mark Griffiths, EJ Tractors, GAS Moto and SINI."