Australia beware – Isle of Man phenomenon John McGuinness is confirmed as a starter for the United Kingdom team in the International Challenge.

McGuinness is a motorcycling legend, and any Isle of Man fan knows his incredible scorecard at the world’s toughest road race - a remarkable 20 Isle of Man TT victories, and 41 podiums picked up along the way.

Originally a bricklayer from Lancashire, 41 year old McGuinness started racing at the Island of Man back in 1996, with his first victory in 1999 when he won the Lightweight 250 TT.

His most recent TT scalp was in late August, when he took the Senior TT for the sixth time – and also set a new lap record of 131.671mph in the process. His 20 victories betters the feats of Mike Hailwood, and stands McGuinness second only to the legendary Joey Dunlop in the TT history books.

McGuinness’ Phillip Island debut has been a long time coming, after his planned appearance in the 2002 world supersport round was scuppered because of injury.



“I came to the world supersport pre-season test at Phillip Island in late 2001, but then didn’t follow it up,” said McGuinness. “But I loved the circuit: it was fast, flowing and untouched, and not a chicane to slow things down.

“I always thought I’d get back there and race some day but didn’t really know how I was going to do it – until the Island Classic came along.”

The UK team has never lacked class at the pointy end of the International Trophy field – Jeremy McWilliams has scooped the individual honours in two of the last three years – but now it’s adding even more muscle with not only McGuinness, but also fellow British road racing guns Gary Johnson and Steve Brogan and four-time British national champion, Mike Edwards.

The UK squad are well prepared with Keith Higgs coordinating the expats out of Australia, and UK based bike builder Roger Winfield looking after the British troops. Winfield is preparing F1 Harris machines with capacities from 1100 to 1250 cc for McGuinness and his counterparts.

So serious is the Brit campaign, that Winfield is bringing eight mechanics to Australia to ensure they have as much talent in the pits, as they do on the track.

UK SQUAD

Team Captain Keith Higgs / Roger Winfield

Jeremy McWilliams - Suzuki Harris F1 1982 1230
John McGuinness - Honda Harris F1 1982 1150
Gary Johnson - Suzuki Harris F1 XR69 1982 1230
Steve Brogan - Suzuki Harris F1 XR69 1982 1230
Mike Edwards - Harris F1 1982 1230
Mick Godfrey - Suzuki Harris F1 1982 1170
Barry Ditchburn - Yamaha TZ750 1977 750
Craig Ditchburn - Yamaha TZ750D 1977 750
Jim Agombar - Yamaha TZ 1980 750
Clive Warner - Yamaha TZ 1978 750
Rick Kwok - P&M Kawasaki TTF1 1978 1230
Derek Brown - Harris Magnum 1977 1260
Keith Higgs - P&M Kawasaki TTF1 1978 1260
Phil Davenport - Yamaha TZF 1979 350


.