John McGuinness signs HM Plant Honda deal for North West 200

John McGuinness has just confirmed that he will ride a HM Plant-backed factory spec Honda FireBlade in the North West 200 later this year.

The fastest man ever to lap the famous Isle of Man TT circuit, McGuinness clinched his HM Plant Honda deal just moments before the official press launch for the 2008 North West 200 today.

A telephone call from HM Plant Honda boss Neil Tuxworth cemented the deal, and McGuinness will ride for the squad in Ireland’s biggest road race on May 17.

McGuinness, who has a proud record of never having missed a North West 200 event since his debut in 1993, said: “The North West 200 is an incredible circuit, the atmosphere and adrenaline is fantastic. I’ve seen it progress massively from times when it was a muddy paddock. Now it’s absolutely brilliant.”

On his HM Plant deal for the North West 200, McGuinness added: “I’m pleased with that. I’ve been sat on the fence trying to arrange a deal and it seems like I’m back on Neil Tuxworth’s Christmas card list. I wanted to be back at the North West on a competitive bike and now I’ve got a bike capable of winning.”

McGuinness will also ride a CBR600 at the North West in the famous Padgett’s racing colours, and he is also hoping to secure a 250 deal with boss Clive Padgett.

McGuinness is still to confirm what machinery he will be riding at the Isle of Man TT in June as he goes in search of extending his incredible record of 13 wins on the Mountain course. It is highly likely though that he will appear riding Honda machinery.