JOHN MCGUINNESS SET TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF ROAD RACING AT 2024 BRIGGS EQUIPMENT NORTH WEST 200

 

When John McGuinness walks on to the grid of this year’s Briggs Equipment North West 200 during May 6-11 race week, the Morecambe man will be celebrating a very special anniversary at the north coast event.

 

The winner of six NW200 races and one of the sport’s true legends, the Honda Racing star made his road racing debut 30 years ago aboard a TZ 250cc Yamaha at the 1994 North West 200.

 

“I always wanted to do the North West.” McGuinness explained during a recent visit to Portrush.

 

The Morecambe man was accompanied on his first trip to the north coast by his girlfriend, Becky who is now his wife.

“We just rounded up a few tins of beans and soup and set off in the van.” McGuinness recalls.

 

“But my Dad, who was my mechanic, didn’t want me to go road racing and he refused to come with us. I didn’t have a clue what I was letting myself in for really.”
Arriving in Northern Ireland during a time of civil unrest, one of the first things the couple encountered when they rolled off the ferry was a military checkpoint.