John McGuinness and Norton in North West 200 wrangle

Isle of Man TT great John McGuinness's hopes of racing the iconic Norton at the North West 200 in May are in jeopardy.
By Kyle White
Published 27th Mar 2019, 14:14 BST
Updated 27th Mar 2019, 18:41 BST
John McGuinness hopes to race the Norton V4 at the North West 200 in May.John McGuinness hopes to race the Norton V4 at the North West 200 in May.
John McGuinness hopes to race the Norton V4 at the North West 200 in May.

The 23-time Mountain Course winner is desperate to compete at the North Coast road race in preparation for the TT on the new Norton V4 machine.

McGuinness had been due to race for Norton at the TT last year but he was ruled out after suffering a re-break of the right leg he initially fractured in a crash during qualifying at the North West in 2017.

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The Morecambe man made a successful return to the Mountain Course at the Classic TT in August, where he won the Senior race on the Paton.

Morecambe star John McGuinness completed a parade lap on the Norton at last year's Isle of Man TT.Morecambe star John McGuinness completed a parade lap on the Norton at last year's Isle of Man TT.
Morecambe star John McGuinness completed a parade lap on the Norton at last year's Isle of Man TT.

He also raced at the Macau Grand Prix alongside Martin Jessopp in the PBM Ducati team, finishing in tenth place.

As revealed in the News Letter in January, Mervyn Whyte was keen to examine the possibility of permitting Norton and McGuinness to race at the 90th anniversary NW200 this year.

Under FIM homologation rules, machines like the Norton and Honda RCV are not eligible to compete at the North West, although special dispensation can be granted in individual cases.

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However, it is understood that one additional obstacle standing in the way of Norton’s current V4 machine is its 1200cc motor. The machine McGuinness has tested in recent days at Cadwell Park runs Norton’s own engine as opposed to the Aprilia-derived motor used at the TT last year by Josh Brookes in the SG7. Under the regulations at the North West, four-cylinder machines must be limited to a maximum of 1010cc.

Negotiations are ongoing to find a solution that allows McGuinness to be on the grid on the eye-catching silver racer in some configuration in May.

Previously, the 46-year-old stated his desire to return to the event and made a plea to the organisers to allow the Norton to take part.

McGuinness said: “I need the North West 200 organisers to let Norton race as well – how, when or what I don’t care, I’m not interested in the politics – the Norton will drag a few more thousand people to that North Coast in Ireland to watch that bike.

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“I want to ride there, even if we don’t get any results, but I want to ride there and be sharp for the TT.”

This year marks the 25th anniversary of six-time winner McGuinness’s debut at the North West 200.

Related topics:John McGuinnessNorton