Former World Sidecar Champion and three-time TT winner Klaus Klaffenbock will make a return to the island this year after announcing he is to run a team with Ben and Tom Birchall in the hot seat.

The Mansfield based brothers first competed at the Isle of Man TT Races in 2009 where they performed creditably with a fastest lap of 110.659, the second fastest newcomers ever after Tim Reeves in 2008, although they didn’t finish the only race held that year.

The pair were forced to miss the 2010 Races but came back last year to finish their first race on the Mountain Course, recording a seventh place in the first race before topping it with fifth in the second. They also clocked their fastest lap at 111.622mph in the second sidecar race last year.

"Both Tom and I are honoured to have been asked to join Klaus in his new venture. Klaus and his team's reputation for professionalism and determination to win along with Adolf Hanni’s unrivalled commitment and experience in sidecar racing made the decision to join the team very easy for us. With the continued support of our existing team and sponsors in my opinion Cofain Racing by Klaffi will become one of the strongest sidecar teams in the history of the TT," said Ben Birchall.

“Ever since Tom and I decided to compete at the TT in 2009 it has been our desire to be successful and our ultimate aim is to win there. Joining this team will give us the best opportunity to achieve our goal and with the bike preparation now nearing completion we can’t wait to begin our pre-season testing."