IoM TT legend John McGuinness will form part of the UK team at the Island Classic.

Isle of Man TT hero John McGuinness will travel to Australia in late January as the new star recruit in the UK Team for the AMCN International Island Classic on 24-26 January.

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.

From Lancashire, 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.

“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 someday but didn’t really know how I was going to do it – until the Island Classic came along.”

McGuinness will race a Honda powered Harris F1 at the Island Classic and will join former 250GP racer, Jeremy Williams in the UK team, as they take on the Australians, the New Zealanders and the USA in a four nation battle for historic racing supremacy.

McGuinness will be guest of honour at the Welcome Dinner on Saturday evening, 25 January. The dinner for 650 guests will be held at the circuit with Will Hagon as MC and esteemed motorcycle journalist Alan Cathcart interviewing McGuinness on his Isle of Man exploits over the past two decades.

Dinner tickets are $125 per head with beer, wine and soft drinks included. To be held in the Motorcycle Expo, celebrations kick off at 6:30pm with drinks and canapés on arrival and a two course buffet dinner and interviews on the stage from 7–10:30pm.

Dinner and event tickets are available by downloading a booking form at www.islandclassic.com.au or by calling the toll-free number 1300 728 007.