Privateer champion joins SMT Racing for TT ride

The Cumbrian has taken 16 top 10 finishes since 2006 including three consecutive sixth places in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and has consistently been the best performing privateer in the Island.

SMT Racing owner Robin Croft has been a long time supporter of road racing and the TT, in particular, where he handed Karl Harris his road racing debut in 2012. The team enjoyed its finest moment just a few months ago at the Macau Grand Prix when Michael Rutter gave it its first international road race win.

Stewart will continue with his own Honda Fireblade Superbike for this year's Dainese Superbike and Pokerstars Senior Races but SMT will be adding its wealth of experience to enhance both performance and power.

In addition to the two Superbike races, Stewart will campaign the ex-Steve Plater British Championship winning Honda CBR600RR for the two Monster Energy Supersport Races. In the Royal London 360° Superstock race he will be riding the Kawasaki ZX-10R that Keith Farmer took to the British Superstock Championship in 2012.

Stewart said: “I’m delighted to be joining Robin’s team. I’ll have a better set-up for 2013 than ever before and with SMT’s considerable expertise and knowledge, it should allow me to post more consistent lap times and, hopefully, break the 130mph barrier and improve upon my previous best finish of sixth.”