MOTORCYCLE racer Phil Dongworth put in an impressive showing at the legendary TT races at the Isle of Man.

The 36-year-old from Worcester and passenger Stuart Castles beat off competition from most of the 80 starters to claim sixth and seventh in two sidecar races on one of the world's most dangerous circuits.

And he did all this without regular sidekick and business partner John Luebke, who was unable to take part due to commitments at the duo's WAS Auto Centre in Bath Road, Worcester.

It was Castles, a builder by trade and race mechanic for the team, who clung on while racing at average speeds of 108.05mph on the 37.7 mile long road circuit.

The speed ace, who competes in the Formula 2 British Championships, is racing a new F2 Kawasaki 600cc machine and the TT races were his first outing of the season. It was, he admitted, a bit hectic in the race build-up.

"It was the first time with the new bike and it was a last minute panic getting it all built," he said.

"It was our first race of the season so we've got some making up to do but last year we enjoyed three podium finishes in our last three races."

Dongworth races in the Isle of Man again in three weeks time in a four-and-a-half mile circuit but this time instead of bikes starting at 10 second intervals it will be a mass start.

"That makes it a lot more dangerous," he admitted.