SIDECAR racer Rob Hancock (pictured) blew up two expensive engines in the Isle of Man TT races.

However, there was light at the end of the tunnel for Rob, as he equalled his best ever race time with a standard road bike engine that he hastily bought off another competitor.

The 34-year-old industrial cleaner from Berry Hill competed on his 2005 Shelbourne, powered by a Honda CBR600rr engine capable of speeds up to 155mph.

Following two good pre-race runs, disaster struck in the opening F2 race when Rob was lying eighth.

He said: "The engine was getting hot at the end of the first lap but I persevered. I'm afraid it just expired.

"I took two engines out there so we had a mad rush to fit the other, but we blew it up in the practise run. A hose came loose and we basically boiled the engine."

The loss of two expensive engines left Rob looking at a £4,000 deficit, but he still had to find a way of competing in the second race.

He said: "I scavenged a road bike engine and we were up until 2am on the morning of the race fixing the bike.

"Then the race got rained off. We got to race the next day and I managed to hold on to ninth spot, even though the engine was slow and the gearbox was playing up.

"I equalled my fastest race time, which does make you wonder. I was well down on my top speeds but I concentrated on being clean and tidy around the corners.

"I know there was nothing more I could have done. I was the only top 10 finisher with a standard road bike engine."