Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki Sign John McGuinness for 2020 Road Racing campaign
Road racing legend, John McGuinness will contest the 2020 Isle of Man TT and International North West 200 road races for 2018 British Superbike Championship-winning team, Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki.
McGuinness, who celebrates his 30th year of racing in 2020, will ride Ninja ZX-10RR machinery in the Superbike and Superstock classes at both events.
Boasting an unmatched 47 podiums and a total number of 23 wins at the Isle of the Man TT, McGuinness will undoubtedly head into each competition this year amongst the favourites for race honours.
His form in Northern Ireland is also to be admired with six wins and 21 podiums, a track record that inspires both McGuinness and Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki to focus on getting back onto the podium at the TT and NW200.
It will be the first time McGuinness has ridden a Kawasaki at either event however the now 47-year old has previous experience on a green machine having taken a close second place on a Hawk Racing Kawasaki in the 2004 Ulster Grand Prix Superbike race.
John McGuinness: “I’m delighted to announce my plans for the 2020 International road racing season and equally delighted to be riding for Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki. Their record on the roads with James Hillier, in terms of both results and reliability, along with their reputation within the bike industry, speak for themselves and with it being such a family-orientated team, it’s the perfect fit for me. It’s a highly reputable, professional team who have achieved great things on both the roads and the circuits and, for me, they tick all the boxes.”
“Pete drove all the way up from Bournemouth to Morecambe to meet me and put the offer on the table and it didn’t take much for me to sign – it was an easy decision. Everything made perfect sense and we’ve put together a good plan that will put us in the best position possible for the TT and North West 200. After my performances at Macau, I really got my mojo back and, with my leg now 100%, I feel like I’m as riding as well as ever. Joining Kawasaki and Pete’s team and riding the Ninja ZX-10RR is a new chapter for me, one I’m excited about and really looking forward to.”
Pete Extance, Team Owner: “It’s absolutely incredible news that we can welcome road racing legend John McGuinness onto our Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki machinery. To me, John is Mr TT with his road racing feats elsewhere, at the likes of the North West 200 and Macau Grand Prix, simply superb and what an honour it is to have our Bournemouth Kawasaki dealership associated with him.”
“We both know there’s a big job ahead of us to be ready for the new season but it’s one that we know will be great fun. Hopefully, we can put John McGuinness back on the podium at the Isle of Man TT and North West 200 in 2020, the place where we know he belongs. Together with Alastair, we have a simply stunning line up of riders for the International road races and we can’t wait for it all to start.”
With Alastair Seeley holding the record for the most number of wins around the NW200 and being previously announced as racing in the International Northwest 200 under the same banner, the duo will make a formidable combination in this year’s road race season.