John McGuinness recalls 'embarrassing' North West 200 gaffe last year but TT legend ready to set record straight on north coast
John McGuinness is poised to mark a milestone 100th race start at the Briggs Equipment North West 200 (May 6-9) next week after putting his celebrations on hold for a year after an “embarrassing” gaffe 12 months ago.
The Isle of Man TT legend believed he was on the cusp of a ton-up appearance on the grid at the north coast meeting before realising he still had some way to go.
Six-time NW200 winner McGuinness even had a helmet specially painted for the occasion, but he hopes to finally don the celebratory lid next week.
The Honda Racing UK rider moved onto 96 starts after last year’s meeting and is due to compete in the Superstock (2) and Superbike (3) races at the North West, potentially elevating him to 101 starts.
“It was embarrassing when we got it wrong,” said the 54-year-old.
“I had a helmet and all painted for the occasion and we had to leave it at home on the shelf!”
McGuinness, who will be joined in the official Honda squad by fellow TT winner Dean Harrison, has countless special memories of the event since he made a low-key debut in 1994.
“I rolled up to Portrush with Becky (his then girlfriend, now wife) in 1994 in an old Iveco van,” McGuinness recalled, during a recent visit to the north coast.
“It was a different track back then with no Mill Road roundabout and no chicanes at Mather’s or Magherabuoy.
“I’ve ridden different variations of the track and millions of variations of bikes over the last three decades: two strokes; four strokes; carburettors; fuel injection; fly-by-wire; traction control – you name it!
“It is an event that keeps on giving for me, one I still look forward to coming to, bang on top of the calendar.
“The team-mates I’ve had, the laughs we’ve had, the tears and the pain too. I’ve been in tons of ding-dong races where I could have won but I’ve ended up sixth. I’ve won a few and arguably been in the hunt to win a few more that we didn’t. But to win six around here is hard work,” he added.
“And then there are the people and manufacturers I’ve ridden for; a lot with Honda and a bit with Yamaha. Paul Bird played a big part in my journey and I wish he was here to see the 100th start.
“I always get asked what makes the North West so special and why have I come back each year.
“It has some sort of grip that gets a hold of you and won’t let go. You are treated like a hero for a week. I’ve seen people coming here in pushchairs and now they’ve grown up and are in the sport. They are on the tools or racing themselves now.
“Families and friends who have come right through it and still love coming here.
“That is a very rare thing but then you are riding along the sea front. It is like riding down the prom at Morecambe or Blackpool. The location is off the charts, the craic is great and the food is mega.
“There are still a few things that need sorting like the water supply in the paddock – you need about ten hoses and you could pee faster than the water that comes out! But it’s an organisation of volunteers isn’t it? So it has its own character.”
During his three decades of racing at the event, McGuinness has shared the track with so many famous names, many who are sadly no longer alive or have long since hung up their leathers.
The Morecambe man is in the twilight of his career but McGuinness believes he still deserves his factory Honda ride.
“I’ve been Joey Dunlop’s team-mate there and Michael Dunlop’s team-mate too. I’ve been on track with Robert Dunlop and all the greats of the nineties,” reminisced McGuinness. “Riders like Ryan Farquhar, Phelim Owens and Woolsey Coulter.
“There have been endless amounts of talented Irish road racers, just so many good hands everywhere. The grids were stacked full.
“We would come across and the Irish boys would just want to beat us and we wanted to beat them.
“It always got real competitive on the 250s. I’ve been on the North West grid on a 125cc, 250cc, 400cc, 600cc and on Superbike machinery. I’ve been through all the classes and every single emotion that racing can put you through. And I am still coming back.
“I sort of think I should stop but then I think, why?
“I’m riding a factory Honda with Dean Harrison and sometimes I think that maybe that bike should go to someone else.
“In last year’s Superbike race at the North West I finished sixth and was holding my own in the field.
"I think I was warranting the ride and then I thought, ‘come and get it from me’.”