Steve Mercer was denied the chance to take the newcomers crown in the Isle of Man Senior TT race after running out of fuel on the last corner.

Mercer was making his debut on the legendary 37.73-mile mountain course but admitted that chasing the number one newcomer spot too hard cost him the victory he craved.

He said: "I was six seconds behind the next newcomer on the last fuel stop and I was feeling good so I put the pressure on.

"If I had of eased off I think I may have made it.

"I saw the fuel light came on and I shook the tank and I was getting more from it but then it cut out right at the end.

"I tried to shake it again but it wouldn’t restart. I could see the chequered flag so I started running up the road with it but the marshals stopped me."

Mercer had already won best newcomer in the Superbike and Superstock events and on the last lap in the main Senior event he was 18th overall and 12 seconds ahead of the second best debutant.

The Senior event wasn’t without drama and the death of fellow racer John Crellin was a stark reminder of the dangers of road racing, particularly around the island circuit.

Mercer said: "You don’t think at the time that if things go wrong it could kill you. You are aware of the dangers though and because of that you treat the place with respect and you don’t take risks.

"He (Crellin) started behind me and before I went off I was looking around his bike and thinking it was in great nick, and he didn’t come home.

"You put up with the risk and it is tough and most of the time things go wrong which is why it’s so good when things go right."

Despite the dangers Mercer is now hooked and already plotting future success at the venue.

"Next year I’m aiming to carry on where I left off," he said. "I want to build on it year by year and hopefully after a few years I can be pushing for a podium finish. It would be great and I know it’s a realistic goal.

"I’m a TT racer now. Once you’ve rode around there nothing else compares."

Mercer has already been invited back to next year’s event by his team thepeoplesbike.com and will be competing at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough on July 11.