WORCESTER sidecar driver Phil Dongworth missed out on an Isle of Man Tourist Trophy podium finish by just three seconds 12 months ago — and admits he is still scarred by the affair.

Dongworth pulled off the race of his life during last year’s opening Sure Sidecar race but fell agonisingly short as newcomer Tim Reeves went less than a mile an hour quicker to finish third.

Opening race heartache clearly took its toll on Dongworth as he and former partner Stuart Castles fell to seventh in the second race four days later.

Twelve months on and Dong-worth has rung the changes with Castles getting married and moving on to pastures new and Gary Partridge filling the void.

The Worcester ace is one of the most experienced riders having made his debut in 1996 and is determined to end 13 years of hurt.

“Last year was good but hard because of how close we finished to the podium,” said Dongworth. “It was tough because we put in a great ride but there was no doubting I would be coming back this year it is all about getting on the podium.

“Things have changed and Gary is my partner this year — I have known him for a few years and he replaces Stuart who got married.

“The bike was spread around the workshop floor right until we left but I am sure it will be there once we have practiced fully and when the races get under way.

“It has been reliable in the build- up to everything and we have got a bit more speed than last year so things are looking good.”

Dongworth will have to contend with the likes of 13-time TT winner Dave Molyneux and last year’s double winner Nick Crowe.

Last year’s best newcomer Reeves will also be returning, while the arrival of world sidecar champion-ship brothers Ben and Tom Birchall completes a competitive paddock.

Everyone apart from Manxman Molyneux competes in the British FII Sidecar Championship paddock with Dongworth and the WAS Auto Centre Honda rider admitted he fears no-one.

“The field isn’t too dissimilar to the one that entered last year. There are a few newcomers as always but I have got a good idea of how everyone is going to do and we will see by the end of the races if I was right,” added Dongworth.

“I haven’t been able to get out to the island prior to the event kicking off which I was aiming to do, but I have had some good results in the British rounds.

“I don’t expect things to be too different — I think there are a few new concreted areas on the track but apart from that things should be a lot similar to last year.”

Highlights of the 2009 TT races will be shown every evening on ITV 4 from tomorrow.

For further information on TT races, go to iomtt.com or, for island details, go to visitisleofman.com.