Better known as AJ, Venter will race for Mick Charnock’s TC Racing Honda/DP Coldplaning outfit. The team has secured high-spec 1000cc Hondas for the TT campaign and will contest the Superbike, Royal London 360 Superstock and Senior races.
Venter, 24, has been racing in British championships since 2007 when he joined Glen Richards in the MAP Embassy Superstock team, eventually finishing 18th with seven impressive points-scoring rides.
A year later, he switched to the inaugural Superstock 600cc Championship, claiming a win at Oulton Park and three more podiums on his way to 4th.
However, it is in the Supersport class Venter has achieved his greatest success. Riding Triumph machinery, the Newcastle upon Tyne-based racer finished 13th in 2009 with six top 10 finishes, including a career best of 4th.
He improved in 2010 and 2011, finishing 11th in both years in the fiercely competitive 600cc class, with a combined total of 14 top 10 finishes. Along the way he diced with, and sometimes beat, riders like Sam Lowes, Dan Linfoot, Lee Johnston, Gary Johnson, Dan Cooper and Jimmy Hill.
A lack of finance forced him to miss the 2012 British championship season, but he returned to competition in his homeland with success.
TC Racing Honda/DP Coldplaning team boss Mick Charnock has a strong pedigree competing at the TT and Manx Grand Prix, first as a rider and latterly running his own team, backing Cameron Donald, David Johnson and Jimmy Storrar as newcomers in 2005, 2010 and 2012 respectively.
Venter said:
“Lots of people are aware of the TT back home in South Africa and it's been on my radar for a while.”
“I first came out to the Isle of Man in 2007 and met Milky Quayle and Johnny Barton, which gave me an idea of what I'd be taking on.”
“I'm under no illusions about the task, but I can't wait to make my Mountain Course debut.”
Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Manager Paul Phillips added:
“AJ has an excellent pedigree and has already made his mark in the British Championship at a relatively young age.”
“He's a hugely talented rider and as a newcomer there's no better team than Mick Charnock's outfit as he has a proven track record of helping talented newcomers get to grips with the TT.”