Morecambe superbike champ John McGuinness awarded MBE in New Year Honours

John McGuinness. Photo by Darren Andrews

John McGuinness, one of the most successful riders in the history of the Isle of Man TT motorcycle races, has been awarded an MBE.

Known as the Morecambe Missile, John is the second most successful TT rider of all time behind the late Joey Dunlop.

He made his TT comeback with Norton in 2019 after missing the previous two years through injury following a crash at the North West 200 in 2017.

He said he was left feeling "empty" at the news that this year's TT races were to be cancelled due to Covid-19.

John McGuinness pictured in Morecambe in 2017 with his new autobiography 'Built For Speed'.

“For me selfishly, it’s the wrong time of my career to be missing another TT,” said McGuinness, who would be 50 by the time the 2022 TT is set to take place.

Born and raised in Morecambe, McGuinness's father owned a motorcycle repair shop, but advised John to train as a bricklayer. Graduating in 1990, the resultant recession forced him into cockle fishing with his future father-in-law.

McGuiness's first race was an endurance road race at Aintree in 1990, at age 18.

His first Isle of Man TT race was in 1996, finishing 15th. He took his first win in the Lightweight 250cc race three years later, the year he also became British 250 Champion.

Earlier this month John was included on a new vinyl wrap bringing a bit of colour to the Arndale Centre in Euston Road, Morecambe.