Isle of Man TT: John McGuinness bike-by-bike

Here we rundown his set-up for each of the races, including an exciting deal with data giant EMC.

Family affair

A family-run team from Preston will be supporting John McGuinness in the two Supersport races at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

The Morecambe Missile has also been in action for Jackson Racing team at this year’s World Endurance Championships.

McGuinness said: “Alan Jackson Snr was a Formula 3 world champion and won TTs.

His sons are running this team and it’s also the team I ride for in World Endurance.

“They’re Preston-based with tons of enthusiasm, I wish them all the luck really.

“They’ve invested a lot of money into it and I’m riding in the team.

“I just need a little bit of luck on the day.”

The two Supersport races take place on Monday, June 8, and Wednesday, June 10.

Why data giant sponsorship deal adds up

A bumper new sponsorship deal will see John McGuinness race in the colours of data giants EMC at this year’s Isle of Man TT.

The company, which stores a third of the world’s data and employs more than 60,000 people worldwide, has linked up with McGuinness and is trying to work out ‘the maths behind the Morecambe Missile’ as part of a major new project.

The deal has already seen the bike great and his wife Rebecca enjoy a trip to Las Vegas as part of the EMC convention with cameras also following the family for a documentary that will be pitched to American TV.

McGuinness will run his own bike, supported by EMC and other companies, in the Superstock race on Monday, June 8, with one eye on what he might do when he retires.

The TT legend said: “The money they’re giving us is the biggest sponsorship deal I’ve ever had.

“It’s just escalated really. It’s fairytale stuff.

“It’s exciting and a new chapter. It’s my own team, it’s my own little package and what we’ve put together is quite cool.

“It’s financially better and gives me a bit of experience of running my own team for when I retire because I’m not sure what to do.”

McGuinness admits getting his own bike ready for the TT has given him plenty of respect for those who get the machines in tip-top shape for the road.

He said: “I’m dead proud of what we’ve put together.

“I’ve got more respect for the mechanics and everybody else.

“It’s okay for us to rock up in our motorhome and thrash their bikes round, wrecking them and then giving them back.

“There’s so much work. They’re doing 60 or 70 hours a week.

“I’ve been doing my own little bit and I respect them even more now. It’s a tough game.”

A lot to be said for loyalty

John McGuinness’ tilt at the Superbike rice and blue riband Senior TT will once again see him riding the official Honda Superbike.

He said: “It’s the one I’ve been on since 2006, it’s the same mechanics, same team boss.

“I think there’s a lot to be said for loyalty and a little bit of continuity, just being with the same people.

“Some people might think it’s boring but I know what I’ve got so I quite like where I am.”

The Superbike race takes place on Saturday, June 6, with the Senior TT closing the festival of racing on Friday, June 12.

Feeling electric

John McGuinness’ 21st TT win came in the electric Zero TT last year.

The Morecambe Missile will again be looking to break new ground when he takes to the mountain course on the Mugen Shinden Honda.

The 43-year-old said: “A big part of our programme this year is the electric bike.

“It’s the fourth year of the Mugen electric bike entry.

“It’s not everybody’s cup of tea, people snigger at it a bit.

“They want petrol engines and the noise and stuff but I think it’s something where we’ll all look back in 50 years time and I’m proud that I’ll probably be one of the pioneers of it really.

“I’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, there’s a lot of money in it as well.

“It’s been a fantastic challenge. I’ve cried with them with happiness and cried with them with sadness.

“I work directly with Mr Honda (Soichiro’s son Hirotoshi). I work with the godfather of it really. It’s a huge deal for them. They never look back they always go forwards. They build a new bike every year. I really enjoy working with them.”

The TT Zero race takes place on Wednesday, June 10.