The 28-year-old has already accumulated six victories on the Manx Mountain Circuit and three at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland.

He is looking forward to racing at the public road events after both were cancelled in 2001 due to fears over the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

"I rode Yamahas in both 1999 and 2000 and they were very fast but I think the GSX-R 1000 Suzukis have the potential to be even quicker.

"Ian Lougher rode a similar bike at the Ulster Grand Prix last year and he passed me in a straight line and went on to win two races.

"I have also been riding a more standard version of the bike in the British Superstock Championship and have had one success and a second place".

Jefferies has yet to compete on the TAS Suzukis on which he will race in the major road races but his performances in testing have been encouraging.

"I had a few outings at Kirkistown in County Down and was very impressed with both the Superbike and the standard Production bike.

"I lapped a second quicker than I had done previously at the same circuit, the bike felt good and the team set-up is very professional.

"Due to the nature of the North West 200 course, the fastest bike is usually the one that wins and this year I believe that I am on the fastest bike.

"There are a lot of long, fast straights on the 8.9-mile circuit and we should be able to reach speeds approaching 190mph on those".