‘Motorcycling has brought me everything, I’m humbled!’
23-time TT winner awarded MBE for services to motorcycle racing
‘I thought I must have forgotten my road tax…’
John McGuinness already has the accolade of being the greatest living TT racer, but recognition of his success scaled new heights when he was awarded an MBE for his services to motorcycle racing after being included in the 2021 New Year Honours List. Speaking to MCN he said: “We’re a niche sport and to follow in the footsteps of my hero Joey Dunlop who had one is special. When I started racing, I could never have dreamed I’d achieve so much.” McGuinness joins a distinguished list of motorcycle racing royalty who have been awarded an MBE during their career. They include - John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Barry Sheene, Joey Dunlop, Carl Fogarty, David Knight, Maria Costello, Dougie Lampkin and Jonathan Rea.
“When you look at it, not many two-wheeled racers have won them and to be on the same list as some of my heroes is pretty amazing. Dougie is a 12-time world champion, Knighter is a four-time world champion, but I’m not a world champion, am I? I’ve only got a few TT wins to my name…
“There’s nothing not to like about getting an MBE and I’m genuinely humbled that it has come through.”
“When you win something that you don’t line up on the start and race for it’s a bit odd, isn’t it? You see people get awarded MBEs Hailwood, Phil Read, Foggy, but I never thought I’d be getting one. People get them for different reasons, but you don’t get them in a Christmas cracker do you? You’ve got to earn it.
“The news hasn’t really sunk in and it’s actually difficult to talk about how I’m feeling because it’s something I don’t really know about. If you were asking me what it’s like to be flat out in fourth on a Superbike around the Verandah I’d have plenty to say!”
McGuinness’ racing career has spanned three decades and seen him race in the majority of classes, but his success on the roads has ultimately defined his career.
His first TT win came in the Lightweight class in 1999 then in 2007 he became the first man to lap the TT course at over 130mph and he continued his winning ways and domination with his most recent Senior TT win in 2015. “Motorcycling has brought me everything in life,” he explained. “And while it has a dark side, it also has its fairy tales. I’ve done Grand Prix, World Endurance, World Supersport, BSB, Classic racing… you name it. I’ve ridden in every corner of the world and it’s put bread and butter on the table.
I’ve been able to tick a lot of boxes and I still feel and think the same at 48 as I did at 19. I pride myself on not being anything different. Yes, I’ve earned a few bob and I’ve got some different names in my phone contacts, but I don’t think I’ve changed and I’d like to think that’s had a bit to do with getting the MBE.”
“It’s 30 years of racing and 31 years with my wife Becky. A couple of good kids, a few bumps and scrapes along the way and a lot of enjoyment. A bit of everything.”
While McGuinness is no stranger to fan mail, the arrival of such a formal letter while he was putting up the Christmas tree did trigger a few alarm bells.
“When the letter arrived it had a government stamp on it and my first thought was ‘oh shit I must have forgotten to tax one of my vehicles!’
“It’s a bit of a weird thing really as when something comes from the Palace – it’s so far away from what we’re used to. I had to click my heels and stand to attention pretty quick.
“You can do the funny hand shakes and anything else you think might help you be awarded something like this, but at the end of the day if you haven’t got the minerals and you haven’t actually been there and done it – you’re not going to win anything.
“This is one award that isn’t from the industry, it’s from the monarchy – it’s the gaffer. When her majesty says no – it’s a no. I could have won 70 TT races but if I was a knob, I’m wasn’t going to get the honour, was I?”