By Richard Petrie BBC Sport NI

Cameron Donald has made a huge impact on the road racing scene

The 30-year-old became the first Australian to enjoy an Isle of Man success since Graeme McGregor topped the podium in 1984.

His performance is all the more remarkable because he is making only his third Mountain Course appearance.

Donald made an impressive debut in 2005, then lapped at over 128mph in finishing second in the 2006 Senior race, but missed last year's Centenary event because of injury.

The Melbourne plumber is one of a new breed of TT stars attracted by a new generation of administrators keen to revive the fortunes of the historic event.

Having enjoyed success in the Supersport class on the streets of Macau, Donald made a huge and immediate impact on his arrival to the road racing scene in Ireland and the Isle of Man.

He enjoyed victories throughout Ireland and at the Southern 100 and was the best newcomer at the TT three years ago.

He showed his immense talent and potential with that thrilling ride in the 2006 Senior, beating many of the established TT stars in the process.

The following year proved to be a lean one for the determined Aussie as a shoulder injury sustained at the North West 200 kept him out of the TT but his meteoric rise was destined to continue when he signed for the Relentless TAS Suzuki team at the end of last season.

Cameron Donald savours victory at the 2008 Isle of Man TT

This year, Donald was determined to arrive at the TT fit and well, so restricted his early-season outings to a couple of Irish short circuit appearances and a brace of British Superstock races, including a morale-boosting third place at Thruxton.

He came within touching distance of winning the North West 200 Superbike race in May but was pipped into second place by the charging Steve Plater in the final throes of the race.

Some observers thought that the Australian's aggressive style would not be suited to the unique demands of the TT but Donald was not one to duck a challenge and he proved the doubters wrong by building up his times in practice and then taking the Superbike honours.

He followed that up with a dominant display in the four-lap Superstock joust, taking command of the race early on and extending his lead in changeable weather conditions.

In doing so, he took his Suzuki team's tally to 13 TT successes and continued in the wheeltracks of Ian Lougher, David Jefferies, Adrian Archibald and Bruce Anstey, who had all won Isle of Man races for the Moneymore-based outfit.

"The support for me and the interest in the TT in Australia is growing all the time," said Donald.

"It was pretty tough missing the centenary event last year but it gave me almost two years to prepare for this one.

The Suzukis have run beautifully and the pitstops have worked fantastically.

"Really I just wanted to come here and get reacquainted with the course again and see where it took me.

"These wins really mean a lot to me - it is just a pity that my dad is missing out as he came over to watch me last year, but then I got injured.

"The Superstock win was particularly special as the bike worked so well and, having competed on it in a few British championship rounds, I felt really at home on the machine."