John McGuinness collection on display at TT 2016
Visitors to this year’s Isle of Man TT Races, powered by Monster Energy, are in for a rare treat with the ‘John McGuinness Collection’ displaying a wide variety of machines from the Morecambe Missile’s iconic career around the Mountain Course.
Celebrating 20 years of John’s incredible TT journey, the display, in conjunction with Dunlop, Bennetts and Motul, sees a total of 12 bikes available for public viewing in Nobles Park including eight of which have taken wins around the 37 and ¾-mile circuit.
John made his debut on the island in 1996 so it's fitting the display starts with the 250cc Paul Bird Honda that he piloted to 15th place in that year’s Lightweight 250cc race. The next machine is one of great significance as it’s the 250cc TSR Vimto Honda that John rode to his maiden TT triumph, the 1999 250cc race.
His second TT win came in the Singles race of 2000 and the Chrysalis AMDM can also be seen along with the ValMoto Triumph used in the 2003 Junior 600cc race.
2004 was a milestone for John as it was the year he took his first TT hat-trick and the winning machines – the IFS R1 Yamaha, the IFS R6 Yamaha and RLR400 Honda – are all on view
The centrepiece of the display is the history-making Honda Fireblade John rode to victory in the 2007 Senior, completing the first ever 130mph lap of the Mountain Course, 130.354mph, into the bargain.
The final three machines are all from the last two years with the 2014 Shinden 3 Mugen, the 2014 Valvoline Racing/Padgetts Honda CBR600RR and the Honda Racing Fireblade, the bike that saw John win last year’s Senior, his 23rd TT victory, and also set a new outright lap record of 132.701mph.
In addition to the display of John’s former machines, it’s also home of his 2016 Superstock effort and everyone can see his team prepare the EMC2/Bet Victor Honda Fireblade.
Speaking about the collection, John said;
“Having the display is something I’ve been thinking of for a while and it was a conversation with Mark Sears of Dunlop earlier this year that kick-started everything. Sadly, Mark lost his life in an accident a couple of months ago but we’ve seen the project through as I wanted to give something back to all the TT fans and share my 20-year journey with them.”
“What’s nice about the collection is there’s a real variety in there including two-strokes, four-strokes, singles, 400s, Superbikes and electric bikes and each and every one of them has a story to tell. I can still remember my first practice lap of the course and it was wet, cold, foggy and sunny and I’m still tearing round the place today. The TT means so much to me and it’s been an incredible journey so far, a journey that the fans have all been part of so come down and have a look!’
As well as the rare collection of motorbikes, race fans can also buy a wide range of the official John McGuinness merchandise including fleeces, T-shirts, polo shirts and beanie hats.