British schoolboy Stefan Hill will join the World Superbike ranks next season after signing a deal with the CIA Honda squad to partner Qatar race winner Kyle Smith.

Hill, who is backed by American Oil firm Phoenix Services, rode for the team at Losail and says it is a dream come true after spending a couple of season learning his craft in the European Junior Cup.

 “I am ecstatic, it is a dream come true for me so early in what I hope will be a long career. Me and my Dad have done a good job getting here and I am so grateful to my sponsors - especially Phoenix Services who have been with me for the last few years and helped me to get here now, I really appreciate it,” said Hill.

“I can’t wait to get the season started, especially as I left Qatar on what I thought was such a good note and a really strong debut. I am happy to be part of the CIA Landlord Insurance Honda team because we all work together really well.

“Most of all 2016 will be a learning season. I will do the best I can and get the best result possible. I will try and improve every weekend, whether that is improving position or cutting the time back from the leader. I’ll take it as it comes and gain as much experience as possible. Having Kyle alongside is good because he was the rider coach at the Honda Junior Cup, so he’s helped me before and it’s a real bonus having inside the team. Having a proven race winner of his calibre and level give me advice is great.

“I am currently doing my last year of A-levels and try to train as much as possible in the afternoons after school. But I am still at school everyday and have exams at the end of next year. I’ve managed to race through my GCSEs and A/S levels and now I’ve got A2s. I’ve done well in them and built a good relationship with the school to allow me time off to go racing - they understand it is a career option.

“My mates had not realised the level I was at before and now it is World level it has kind of impressed and surprised them. You don’t expect a school kid to go all round the world racing, it’s a bit of a shock to me let alone them.”