McGuinness celebrates another record
Tuesday 21 August 2007
TT
TT legend John McGuinness has been reflecting on becoming the fastest road racer in the world.
After becoming the first man in history to lap the awesome TT circuit at an average speed of more than 130mph, the Morecambe rider set another track record while racing at Dundrod.
Battling with fellow TT star Guy Martin during the Dundrod 150 Superbike race last Thursday, McGuinness, on the HM Plant Honda, shattered the lap record with a 131.717mph. He finished in second place behind Martin’s Hydrex Honda, by just 0.056 of a second, but ahead of early race leader Ian Hutchinson.
Speaking afterwards McGuinness said:
‘It was an absolutely amazing race and a great thrill to be part of.’
‘I was in contention throughout and there was nothing between any of us, so I was content to sit tight and watch what was going on. 
On the final lap, I was thinking about where I could make a move and when Guy passed Hutchy at the Windmill, a gap opened up and with good drive up to Wheelers, I got up to second.’
‘Guy was riding well though and had everything covered so there was simply no way through.’
‘I really tried hard on the run in to the line and to lose out by such a small amount was a bit disappointing, but when the boys told me about the new lap record it was a good consolation.’
‘To be the fastest man around the TT course and now Dundrod, becoming the fastest man in the world in the process, is very satisfying and shows what I can still do.’
On Saturday, McGuinness turned his attention to the Ulster Grand Prix, but the racing was hit by bad weather.
He was out of luck in his first two races on the Padgett's Honda. After qualifying in a strong second place for both the 600cc Supersport and the 250cc events, he was forced out of the former on the second lap and his day got worse with an opening lap retirement in the following 250cc.
With the rain and mist returning, the Superbike race started in terrible conditions, which worsened as the race progressed, so much so the organisers had little option but to stop the race on the fourth lap. McGuinness, on the HM Plant Honda, had slipped back to 10th by this time as visibility became negligible.
With no sign of the weather improving, the remaining two races were cancelled.
McGuinness said:
‘Saturday just didn't work out for me and I've got to take my hat off to the other riders for riding the way they did. Conditions were pretty awful and, with all the water running off the hills, there was a lot of puddles and mud lying on the track, so I rode as hard as I felt I could – I just couldn't believe how quick the rest were going!’
‘It's a shame for Clive and the Padgett's team to leave with two DNFs, so I'll be looking to give them a good result at Cadwell this weekend.’
It is back to British Supersport Championship duty for McGuinness this weekend, with round 11 of the series taking place at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire on Bank Holiday Monday.
Phil Wain