Manx rider Conor Cummins is to ride a BMW Superbike for the FHO Racing team at the Armoy road races on 26 and 27 July.
The 38-year-old ended a long association with the Milenco by Padgett’s team when he split with the Yorkshire-based outfit during this year’s Isle of Man TT.
A multiple podium finisher at the TT and North West 200, Cummins previously competed at Armoy in 2012 and 2013.
FHO Racing, who have enjoyed much success at the TT with Peter Hickman, will be participating at the county Antrim road race meeting for the first time.
They have also taken part in the British Superbike championship with riders Hickman and Josh Brookes in 2023 and 2024, as well as at the Macau Grand Prix last year.
The team sat out this year’s North West 200 international race.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to be given the opportunity to ride the FHO Racing BMW, I can’t thank the entire team enough for this chance,” said Cummins.
“I’m really excited and feel like we’ve hit the reset button; this is a brilliant opportunity for me, and I just want to make the most of it, enjoy racing and see where it goes.”
‘Pleased to be working with Conor’
FHO Racing Team Principal Faye Ho commented: “We have had our eye on Conor for a while now and after the TT we started talking about how we could possibly work together, which has led to FHO Racing supporting him for the Armoy road races.
“Conor is a super experienced rider and I’m so pleased to be working with him for this event, as a team we’re all looking forward to seeing how he gets on at the event and wish him the very best of luck.”
Among Cummins’ rivals at the Armoy races next week will be Senior TT winner and course lap record holder Davey Todd, who will compete for the Milwaukee BMW by TAS Racing team.
English riders Jamie Coward (KTS Steadplan Racing), Dominic Herbertson (Burrows Engineering/RK Racing) and Sam West will be joined on the grid by Northern Ireland’s Paul Jordan and Republic of Ireland trio Derek Sheils, Mike Browne and Michael Sweeney.
Roads close for practice at 10:00 BST on Friday 26 July, with a Supertwin/Supermono event and the first Supersport race scheduled for that evening.
A further 10 races are due to take place on Saturday 27 July, including the feature ‘Race of Legends’, with roads closing at 09:00 BST.