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John McGuinness' 30-year TT career celebrated

Catherine NicollIsle of Man
BBC The Superbike and leathers worn in 2007, they are predominantly black and red. BBC
John McGuinness cemented his name in the TT history book with the record lap speed recorded at the 2007 event

Three decades of racing by John McGuinness on the Isle of Man's Mountain Course is being celebrated in a pop-up exhibition.

The display, at the grandstand in Douglas, features memorabilia from his 30-year career in road racing on the 37.7 mile (61km) Isle of Man TT course.

It charts how McGuinness, whose childhood hero was arguably the most renowned rider in TT history – Joey Dunlop – went on to become as famous in the event himself.

Making his debut in 1996, he took his first win three years later, going on to record a tally of 23 victories - becoming the first rider to complete a 130mph (209km/h) lap of the course along the way.

Earning the nickname the Morecambe Missile, McGuinness remains one of the most popular riders in the paddock each year.

The bike raced in the lightweight 250 race that year, it is red with yellow logos and a green plate with the number 18 on the front.
The racer's debut came in 1996 with the support of Paul Bird motorsport
A red bike with yellow logos mirroring the 1996 machine.
A Honda Fireblade was decorated in the 1996 livery to mark McGuinness's 30th anniversary in June

The exhibition displays the motorcycles McGuinness rode, along with the leathers and helmets he wore, used to explore the key milestones in his TT career.

Among the items featured in the nostalgic tour through the years is the bike he made his debut at the TT in the Lightweight 250 race on, where he finished in 15th position on the Honda RS250.

Thirty years on, in June this year, McGuinness took fifth place in the Supersport race on Honda Fireblade bearing the same Paul Bird Motorsport colours to mark the anniversary.

The front of the bike, which is metallic blue with the number four on a green plate.
The racer secured his first victory in 1999 in the Lightweight 250 TT
The 1999 Lightweight bike, which is blue and red with Vimto sponsorship logo on the side.
The 1999 Lightweight bike

In one of the most significant markers in his racing career, which cemented McGuinness's name in the history of the event, he became the first rider to lap the course at an average speed of 130mph (209km/h) on his way to victory in the Senior TT race in 2007.

During what was the centenary of the races, it was his third consecutive win in the blue riband event.

The front on the Superbike that McGuinness rode in the race, which is black and orange with a three on a white plate on the front.
The first 130mph lap of the TT course was achieved in the event's centenary year
A board listing his 116 starts, 23 wins, 47 podium finishes, as well as the replicas won.
The exhibition charts key moments in McGuinness's career

A strong comeback in 2015 saw McGuinness take victory in the Senior for a seventh time, chalking up what is to date his 23rd and final win at the TT.

However, the 54-year-old fan favourite remains a fixture on the grid at the island's road racing events, making his 100th start in 2022, and regularly featuring among the top riders in the races.

He also competes in the annual Classic TT races in August each year.

The front of the machine, which is white red and gold, with a large number one on the front in black that has the three legs of Man in gold and a smaller 00th next to it.
The machine McGuinness made his 100th TT start on in 2022 is also featured
Rows of silver replicas on a graduated stand in the exhibition.
McGuinness has secured 95 TT replicas from 116 starts at the event

The exhibition, which includes a cinema area showing highlights from his racing career, is open in the Mercury Club at the Grandstand in Douglas at these times:

Saturday 22 August from 10:00 BST to 20:00

Sunday 23 August from 12:00 to 18:00

Monday 24 August to Thursday 27 August from 10:00 to 20:00

Friday 28 August from 10:00 to 18:00

The Mugen Shinden machine raced at the event.
McGuinness also secured two TT victories in the now defunct electric bike class at the event
Four sets of leathers hanging from the ceiling in the display.
Examples of the leathers worn alongside the machines will also be on display

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