John McGuinness joins Lee Johnston at Jackson Racing

John McGuinness will join Northern Ireland's Lee Johnston in the Jackson Racing Honda team at the North West 200 and Isle of Man TT this season, it was announced on Monday.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Mar 2017, 20:23 BST
Updated 24th Mar 2017, 10:59 BST
DAVE KNEEN/PACEMAKER PRESS, BELFAST: 06/06/2016: John McGuinness (Honda - Jackson Honda Racing) at Tower Bends during the Monster Energy Supersport TT race.DAVE KNEEN/PACEMAKER PRESS, BELFAST: 06/06/2016: John McGuinness (Honda - Jackson Honda Racing) at Tower Bends during the Monster Energy Supersport TT race.
DAVE KNEEN/PACEMAKER PRESS, BELFAST: 06/06/2016: John McGuinness (Honda - Jackson Honda Racing) at Tower Bends during the Monster Energy Supersport TT race.

Morecambe Missile McGuinness is entering his third successive season with the Preston-based outfit to contest the Supersport class on a CBR600RR prepared by World Superbike team Ten Kate.

The 44-year-old will spearhead Honda Racing’s official roads effort on the all-new Fireblade SP2 this year alongside new team-mate Guy Martin, whose sensational comeback to the sport was confirmed amidst much fanfare in January.

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McGuinness, whose new autobiography Built for Speed is due for release on May 4, said: “I’m delighted to be riding for Jackson Racing once more in the Supersport class as the two year’s we’ve had together so far have been excellent. Everyone knows the 600cc races are some of the most competitive around but I’ve been riding as well as ever in the class, which has been borne out in both my speeds and results.

“You’d be hard pushed to find two more enthusiastic people than Alan and Andy and in both 2015 and 2016 they’ve given me a bike that has been faultless.

“My fifth place in last year’s first Supersport race at the TT was one of my most pleasing results of the week and if you’re lapping at more than 126mph on a 600, you’re not hanging around,” he added.

“That shows the strength of the bike and I’m extremely confident we’re going to have another strong year. I’m really looking forward to riding for the team again and working with Lee.”

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BetVictor, a personal sponsor of the 23-time TT winner, will be adding their support to the Jackson Racing team this year.

Fermanagh rider Johnston is Jackson Racing’s full-time rider in 2017 and will race an ex-Nicky Hayden Fireblade in the Superbike class with support from Ten Kate, plus a new CBR1000RR SP2 for the Superstock races.

The NW200 and Ulster GP winner will also have a Ten Kate-prepped Supersport machine.

The team will commence pre-season testing this week at Monteblanco in Spain.

Related topics:John McGuinnessHondaGuy MartinNorthern IrelandBetVictor