Image: Supplied.

Australia’s Josh Brookes will make a competitive return to the Isle of Man TT in 2023, confirmed to contest the coveted event with FHO Racing this year.

Brookes, 39, debuted at the iconic course in 2013 where he posted the fastest newcomers record (127.726mph) to finish 10th in the Superbike race.

He competed again at the Isle of Man TT the following year and finished seventh in the Senior race, heading back in 2017 and then 2018 to score a top-five result in the Senior TT.

In terms of road course competition last year, Brookes competed in the North West 200 with MCE Ducati, achieving podium success in the second Superbike race on the Sunday. 2023 will mark his long-awaited comeback to the Isle of Man TT and he is set to contest both Superstock races, as well as the Superbike TT and the blue-riband Senior TT aboard the BMW M 1000 RR, alongside teammate and nine-time TT winner Peter Hickman.

“I’m pleased it’s now out there and we can announce my return to the TT,” Brookes stated. “It’s one of the most common subjects I get asked throughout the year at BSB, the fans always want to know; ‘are you coming back to the TT?’, will you ever be back?’, and ‘do you want to come back?’ It’s good to have the box ticked and now be able to say it’s happening!

“Like all the other times I’ve been to the TT I’m both nervous and excited. It’s a big event and it’s thrilling, but it does create nerves and it’s full of emotion. FHO Racing has a great background at the event with all they achieved last year, I also have both the perfect and potentially the worst teammate with Pete.

“The event has changed a little since I last raced in 2018, with the new schedule for this season with the change in the practice format and the Senior moved to the final Saturday, but I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and riding the Mountain course once again.”

Additionally, Brookes has been a staple contender in the British Superbike Championship (BSB) for well over a decade, announcing in October last year that he would make the switch from MCE Ducati to BMW machinery with FHO Racing in a bid to regain the BSB title.

He returned to Australia throughout the off-season and began his adaption to the M 1000 RR courtesy of a partnership with Livson Racing, competing with success to win the St George Summer Night Series at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP).