Former racer Phil Armes, who was paralysed in a crash at Dundrod's 1995 meeting, will make an emotional return to the Manx Grand Prix when he will ride in the Past Winner's Lap Parade.

Armes won the 1984 Newcomers' race and went on to have an illustrious career on the Isle of Man, at Macau and in the F1 World Championship before his crash. He will ride a modified Suzuki SV650 which belongs to Talan Skeels-Piggins, a fellow wheelchair user, in the parade.

“When I broke my back I’d achieved most of what I was ever going to, so I saw no reason to get back on a bike – unless somebody offered me the chance to do a lap of the Isle of Man,” said Armes, who rode again for the first time at Silverstone in April," said Armes.

“Getting back on the bike and riding off that very first time knowing you can’t put your feet down was possibly one of the scariest things I’ve ever done on a motorcycle.

“But at the same time it was one of the most satisfying too, and also quite a melancholic moment. A lump in the throat definitely. To get back on a bike, it was something I probably thought I would never do again.

“But on the way home I’d never felt so frustrated either, even with all the things I’ve taken on in my life, because I knew how I used to ride a bike.

“But the second time at Silverstone was far better. I was a lot quicker, safer, and smoother and I came home with a smile on my face that time. I’ve had two more at Snetterton since then, and I’m already to go to the Isle

of Man at the end of August.

“It’s been almost like starting from scratch. And with the actual lap, the TT goes up into the mountain and down again. There’s Ballaugh Bridge to overcome, which people jump over – and I’m not going to be able to do that. So I have my concerns as we’ve got to make it as safe as possible. But am I looking forward to it? You bet."