Sidecar racer Dave Molyneux at his workshop

The record 17-time winner is preparing for yet another assault on the TT in what is his 40th year of racing, having first raced at Jurby in April 1980.

Wilkes has ridden at the TT since 2017 with fellow Kent man Tim Reeves when the pair lapped at an average speed just shy of 115mph to make Mark the quickest rookie passenger in TT history.

Moly and Wilkes are also targeting the Southern 100 this year. Mark has won two S100 championships with Reeves.

Molyneux has made slight modifications on his Yamaha-engined LCR over the winter.

He tested at Jurby with Dan Sayle last October, but will be partnered by Benjamin Binns for the return of sidecars to the revamped Andreas Racing Association programme at Jurby Motordrome in April. They will also contest a couple of short circuit events in the UK.

Molyneux and Binns were outright sidecar lap record holders for the Mountain Course together in 2015.

Molyneux, 56, will continue with his faithful local sponsors, Andy Faragher of A&J Builders, Rob Brew of CBG Contractors and Daryl Blake Construction.

This week he also had word from superstar DJ Carl Cox that he wished to support his and Mark Wilkes’s TT bid.

’That’s great news, last week I had confirmation from Mark, this week it’s Carl, so all’s good.

’Getting a passenger of the quality of Mark aboard beside me is like being given a factory engine.

’He and Tim [Reeves] were on the podium in third place in 2018 when they lapped at 117mph. Mark has definitely got what it takes.

’The added assistance from Carl completes the package.’