Derek Sheils will line-up in the Penz13 BMW Motorrad Motorsport team for TT 2018.

Manxman Dan Kneen earned the team’s first TT podium finish and Michael Rutter, Danny Webb and Alessandro Polita achieved multiple race wins and podiums in the IRRC this year.

After Kneen’s contract expired and he moved to Tyco BMW, team principal Rico Penzkofer moved quickly to snap up Sheils who had deputised for the ill Kneen at the Joey Dunlop Open event at Frohburg in Germany earlier this season.

Sheils will be provided with the latest BMW machinery in Superstock and Superbike configurations for the TT as well as the 300 Corners of Gustav Havel event in Czech Republic, Imatranajo in Finland, the Joey Dunlop Open in Frohburg, Germany and the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.

Sheils said: ’I am grateful for the support of John Burrows so far, giving me the opportunity to sign for the Penz13 team for the TT. I enjoyed my stand-in race in Frohburg last September and felt that the BMW is the right bike to step up into the world’s top league of road racers. I quickly got the grip with the electronics that come along with the HP4 and I was surprised how well advanced their electronic suspension from Tractive Suspension actually is. I am obviously aiming high and hope to finish all the TT eaces within the top 10.’

Penzkofer added: ’I didn’t know much about Derek until he joined us in Frohburg, but immediately saw that he would fit perfectly into the team and could be a good replacement for Dan Kneen. His recent Macau GP pace convinced me even more and I took the opportunity to sign him right after the race.

’In Frohburg was actually the first time he rode a BMW with all the electronics. Our suspension engineer Eric Lindemann as well as our mechanic crew pointed out that he provides very good feedback. I enjoyed working with him and therefore hope that he can help us to further establish our team in real road racing in 2018. I am sure there is a lot to come from Derek in the near future.’