PHIL Dongworth has set his sights on the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy podium after an impressive set of displays during practice week.

The 42-year-old has been a regular in the sidecar competition top 10 for the past seven years but has failed to better the fourth place he achieved in 2005 after a succession of mechanical problems prevented a top-three finish.

Last time out, the Leigh Sinton ace and long-standing passenger Stuart Castles endured a disappointing year as they twice failed to finish the 37.73-mile mountain road-race course.

But, after lapping a practice session at over 108mph, the fifth fastest of the day, before impressing again in wet conditions, Dongworth was quietly confident of achieving a podium finish this time around.

"My best ever lap is just under 110mph so to go 108 in practice is a good sign," said Dongworth ahead of tomorrow's opening race.

"It wasn't perfect as I made a couple of mistakes but it was a good start.

"I have been fourth here and I know what I am aiming for this year. I'm not going to say exactly what, but I have a lap target and a place target in mind.

"Tuesday was difficult as the conditions were damp. But I was still up there with the other guys and think my best was third on the day, so that probably pleased me more than Monday.

"I have got five laps under my belt when the conditions haven't been great so I'm fairly buoyant about everything."

The world-famous TT is not for the faint hearted, with the dangers all so evident in recent weeks after the deaths of Robert Dunlop and Martin Finnegan in the build-up to this year's event.

In practice on Monday, fellow Brit James McBride suffered multiple fractures after crashing his superbike at 150mph but Dongworth's main fear remains the reliability of his bike.

"I have suffered a couple of knockbacks in recent years and if things had of gone my way I could have been standing on the podium," he added.

"I haven't had the luck but I feel if my bike gives us the reliability then we have a good chance of achieving our goals.

"Aside from the top couple of guys, the rest of us are closely bunched but I feel I've got the ability to push on."

The Isle of Man TT races will be shown every evening on ITV 4. Check TV listings for BBC times. For further information on the TT Races, go to www.iomtt.com