The Northern Irish rider will compete alongside Italian Stefano Bonetti on the Factory S1-R Lightweight Paton at the 2018 Isle of Man TT.
Factory S1-R Paton won the Lightweight TT Race in 2017, showing a competitiveness that promptly attracted the attention of several privateer teams.
Michael Dunlop was the first rider in the whole history of the Isle of Man TT to have achieved a lap of the course in less than 17 minutes, as well as being one of the most successful TT riders. He is extremely competitive in every class, from the Supersport to the Superstock and the Lightweights.
Speaking about the deal, SC-Project Team owners Stefano Lavazza and Marco De Rossi said: “We are extremely happy that a champion like Michael is joining our Paton SC-Project Reparto Corse Team. Our collaboration with him started last year just with the supply of a SC-Project exhaust for the MD Racing Yamaha R6 he won the Supersport TT with.
“Michael was very satisfied with the product and he wanted to carry on our collaboration this year as well, with the supply of SC-Project exhausts for the S1000RR BMW and the CBR 600RR Honda he will ride respectively in the Superstock and Supersport races.
“His skills are well known to everyone, and we are well aware that a rider like Michael has victory as his sole focus. It is an honour for us and for Paton to have one of the fastest TT riders ever riding for our team. We are ready for the challenge of confirming Paton as the bike to beat on the Isle of Man”.
Paton S1-R Lightweight Project Managers Roberto Pattoni and Andrea Realini added: “To have Michael Dunlop onboard the purely Italian Paton is an honour. Some top riders got in touch with us, and this shows how well we have worked in these past few years, and now the acquisition by SC-Project is taking us to another level.
“The Bonetti and Dunlop duo will be a key element to improving our S1-R and to confirm Paton as the fastest Lightweight at the Isle of Man TT. We are sure that even Pep (founder of the Paton factory and Roberto’s father) would have appreciated such a hot blooded and passionate rider as Michael Dunlop. We can’t wait to start!”.
