TT 2016: Rare collection of McGuinness bikes on display

A rare collection of Isle of Man legend John McGuinness's machines will be on display at the festival this year to celebrate the Morecambe Missile's 20th year of TT racing.

The display, in conjunction with Dunlop, Bennetts and Motul, sees a total of 12 bikes available for public viewing in Nobles Park, eight of which have taken wins around infamous Mountain Course.

McGuinness said: "Having the display is something I've been thinking of for a while and it was a conversation with Mark Sears of Dunlop earlier this year that kick-started everything. Sadly, Mark lost his life in an accident a couple of months ago but we've seen the project through as I wanted to give something back to all the TT fans and share my 20-year journey with them.

"What's nice about the collection is there's a real variety in there including two-strokes, four-strokes, singles, 400s, Superbikes and electric bikes and each and every one of them has a story to tell.

"I can still remember my first practice lap of the course and it was wet, cold, foggy and sunny and I'm still tearing round the place today," he added.

"The TT means so much to me and it's been an incredible journey so far, a journey that the fans have all been part of so come down and have a look!'

It was in 1996 that John made his debut on the island and that's where the display starts with the 250cc Paul Bird Honda that he rode to 15th place in that year's Lightweight 250cc race. The second bike is also a two-stroke machine and it's one of great significance as it's the 250cc TSR Vimto Honda that John rode to his maiden TT triumph, the 1999 250cc race.

His second TT win came in the Singles race of 2000 and the Chrysalis AMDM can also be seen along with the ValMoto Triumph used in the 2003 Junior 600cc race.

McGuinness achieved a significant milestone in 2004 when he took his first TT hat-trick and all three of those machines - the IFS Yamaha R1, the IFS Yamaha R6 and RLR400 Honda - are all on view.

The next bike is also one of great important as it not only took John to victory in the 2007 Senior, but he also set the first ever 130mph lap of the TT course at 130.354mph to mark the Centenary of the event in style.

The final three machines are all from the last two years with the 2014 Shinden 3 Mugen, the 2014 Valvoline Racing/Padgetts Honda CBR600RR and the Honda Racing Fireblade on which McGuinness won last year's Senior, setting a new outright lap record of 132.701mph.

In addition to the display of John's former machines, it's also home of his 2016 Superstock effort and everyone can see his team prepare the EMC2/Bet Victor Honda Fireblade.