The 37-year-old Ulsterman will sign for the Oxfordshire-based team which is run by three times World Champion Kenny Roberts in the next couple of days when he returns from a family holiday.

This year McWilliams became the first British winner of a Motorcycle Grand Prix for 16 years when he won the Dutch 250cc Grand Prix at Assen. He finished sixth in the World 250cc Championship but also has plenty of experience in the MotoGP Championship. In 2000 he finished third at the British Grand Prix at Donington Park behind World Champions Valentino Rossi and Kenny Roberts Junior.

In the 53-year history of grand prix motorcycle racing there has never been greater interest about a forthcoming season. The major manufacturers including Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Aprilia are pouring millions of pounds into building four-stroke machinery to compete against the all conquering two-strokes.

The Proton KR Team will run two machines in the Championship and will announce their second rider next week.

NB:  This will give Keith and Julian something to shout about during the commentary.  God help us.....