McGuinness leads HM Plant Honda Racing Superstock challenge
HM Plant Honda Racing has confirmed the first part of its line-up for
the 2006 British Superbike Championship and public road racing events by
signing John McGuinness.
The 31-year-old Lancastrian will campaign a CBR1000RR Fireblade in the
National Superstock Championship - one of the support races for the
world's leading domestic Superbike series. In addition, McGuinness will
be riding HM Plant Hondas in the Superbike, Supersport and Superstock
classes at the three leading public road racing events: the Isle of Man
TT, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix.
HM Plant Honda Racing has competed successfully in the British Superbike
Championship over the past two seasons. After winning the British
Supersport Championship in 2004 with Karl Harris, the distinctive black
and orange colour scheme will be seen for the first time in the
increasingly important Superstock series.
Honda Racing's potential in the production-based Superstock class is
unquestionable due to the continuous pursuit of quality and design
inherent within the development of the CBR1000RR Fireblade. Team DMRR
Honda Racing's Ian Lougher has already enjoyed considerable success in
2005 after winning the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix on the
Superstock-spec CBR1000RR Fireblade.
HM Plant Honda Racing's new signing hopes to carry this success forward
into the highly competitive national championship. The experienced
Morecambe rider certainly has the pedigree to succeed in his quest to
establish the HM Plant Honda Racing Superstock CBR1000RR Fireblade as a
force to be reckoned with. The eight times Isle of Man TT winner started
his successful road racing career in 1991 and has been one of the UK's
leading riders for more than a decade.
After winning the British 250cc championship in 1999, McGuinness moved
into the four-stroke classes where he enjoyed two years with Castrol
Honda. After finishing third in the British Supersport Championship for
the Louth-based team in 2001, he was rewarded with a full season in the
World Supersport Championship the following year.
McGuinness has since become known for his winning exploits at the Isle
of Man TT, North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix. Five victories in 2004
and 2005 - including the outright lap record of 127.68mph - have firmly
established him as the leading rider on the infamous TT mountain
circuit.
John McGuinness: "This is a dream come true. I'm delighted to be
renewing my partnership with Honda. My two objectives will be to win the
National Superstock Championship and continue my winning form at the TT
and other major road races for HM Plant Honda Racing.
"This announcement has been in the pipeline for some time, and now that
it has been confirmed, I can start making preparations for next season.
The successful results of the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR at national and
international level show that I have made the right move at this stage
of my career - the rest will be up to me."
Neil Tuxworth, Honda Racing Race Team Manager: "There has been a strong
field of Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade and CBR600RR-mounted riders in this
season's British Superbike and Supersport championships respectively.
However, there has only been one regular Fireblade entry in the National
Superstock Championship.
"As the flagship of Honda's sports bike range, it is important that
Honda increases its presence in and support of the Superstock class.
Furthermore, John will be leading HM Plant Honda Racing's challenge in
all three four-stroke classes at the three main road racing events -
emphasising the team's renewed focus at this level."
