Source: Supplied.

Former British Superbike Championship title-holder Josh Brookes will make a high-profile return to the Isle of Man TT in 2017 after signing to pilot the factory Norton between 27 May and 9 June.

Brookes, who won the BSB crown for Yamaha in 2015 prior to spending a year in WorldSBK last year, last contested the IoM TT in 2014 before returning his sole focus to circuit racing. He will partner returning countryman David Johnson.

The 33-year-old Australian Brookes became the fastest-ever newcomer on debut in 2013 with a lap of 127.7mph, finishing 10th in the Superbike race. The following year in 2014 he improved to a 129.8mph lap, claimed an impressive seventh in the Senior TT, 10th in Superbike and fifth in Supersport.

“I think having a big following in the UK, people will really like the idea that I’m riding on a British brand,” Brookes told CycleOnline.com.au. “The bike’s made a lot of progress now and Davo last year almost did a 131mph lap on the Norton, so it’s very evident that the bike’s made big improvements in recent times and probably even more again since then.

“What’s good about it is that because I’ve had two years off [from the IoM], I’m still in the learning stages at that race and to see that the brand is still in a development phase, it works for both parties. That should allow us to ride without any pressure, at our own speed and see what we’re able to achieve.

“I’ll go to the Isle of Man and refresh myself with the circuit, but the team are also planning to do some circuit testing as well. That will enable me to get on track and learn the bike in that environment, while trying to develop it a bit further for them.

“I did the TT in 2013 and 2014, but then SMR said they didn’t want me to do it because they thought it was a distraction. I had motivation to ride the event, but I was actually being held back in previous years, so not being with SMR sort of opened up my opportunity to go back to the TT.”

Upon return to the Isle of Man, Brookes plans to build his experience around the Mountain Course, which is an incredible 33.73 miles (60.72 kilometres) in length and boasts over 200 corners. He’s in it for the long-haul as he refines his real road racing craft.

“The circuit is something that you can’t learn quickly,” Brookes added. “You have to do your apprenticeship and then become good at it over a longer period. The greats around there have often done multiple years before they’ve found the confidence to ride with perfect knowledge and be as competitive as they want to be.”

Brookes’ road racing experience also extends across to the famed North West 200, in which he finished second on the Superbike and third in Supersport during 2014. It’s not certain whether or not Norton will enter the event in 2017.

Aside from his return to the roads, Brookes made headlines last week after announcing he will return to the British championship fulltime in 2017, back aboard a Yamaha YZF-R1 with the Anvil Hire-backed TAG Racing organisation.