By Richard Petrie
BBC Sport in the Isle of Man |
Australian Cameron Donald has performed well, claiming a 16th place in Monday's Supersport Junior TT and 11th in the second 600cc race on Wednesday.
"I love the course and I wish I had come here years ago," said Donald.
"I came here last year to have a look around and I liked what I saw. The place is awesome"
Donald said he was thrilled to have had lapped at over 117mph in his first year.
"I have raced on a street circuit at Macau but this is totally different, with trees and hedges all the way round," added Donald, who has won 600cc races at the Far East circuit.
Another notable addition to the entry list this year is German rider Markus Barth, who has raced at World Endurance level and currently competes in the BMW Boxer Cup, alongside the MotoGP series.
Outstanding display
He competed at Mugello in Italy at the weekend before returning to take in the two Supersport Junior races.
"I have always been interested in racing on the Isle of Man but have always had other commitments or there has been a date clash. Now I am here I am enjoying it."
Barth finished 60th in Monday's race but failed to finish on Wednesday.
Both Barth and Donald warmed up for the TT by competing at the North West 200 in May.
Belgian Michael Weynand is another World Endurance rider who is making his bow at the event while Japanese rider Jun Maeda produced an outstanding display to finish sixth in Wednesday's four-lap race.
Japanese machines have been winning on the island for years but the prospect of a rider potentially taking to the podium in the modern area is something no-one could have contemplated.
The organisers of the races must be commended for securing the future of the event by attracting top quality riders and giving the races a truly international flavour.
Sunday Grandstand on BBC2 has coverage of the TT at 1135BST.
MMIX
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