Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness ‘excited’ to make truck racing debut

Isle of Man TT legend John McGuinness MBE has shared his excited ahead of his first-ever truck race, which is set to take place at Donington Park’s Convoy in the Park next weekend (August 12/13).

The 23-time TT race winner will line up on the grid for the the inaugural International Truck Prix at the Leicestershire venue, competing in a Scania which will be run by championship-winning outfit Team Oliver Racing.

Set to add to his previous non-motorcycle experience of racing in the Fun Cup Championship and Ginetta GT Academy, the 51-year-old is relishing the opportunity to make his big rig bow.

Speaking to Donington Park, McGuinness said: “I bought my own truck recently and that opened a few doors for me. Giti Tyres gave me some tyres for it and then got me a spin in the Fun Cup car, with Ellis Hadley and Martin Gibson [who is also racing at the weekend].

“I did a round of the Ginetta GT Academy and a bit of rallycross with Ollie O’Donovan (British Rallycross Champion) so I got a new group of friends really. It was just networking, I’ve not been pulling at people’s shirts, just got friendly with them.“

“That put me together with Stuart Oliver and he asked if I fancied a go in the truck, too right I do, I’ll take that and grab it with both hands. I’ve had a little spin in his MAN and yeah, it’s a bit bigger than a bike, a bit heavier than that. 

“It’s super exciting, nerve-wracking and I’m definitely out of my comfort zone. We’re lucky to be working with the best in the business, Stuart Oliver and his team.”

Despite boasting an impressive racing CV, the Morecambe racer is under no illusions that he’ll be in at the deep end when the heavyweight behemoths blast into life.

“I’ve been watching a bit on YouTube, there’s a bit going on,” he said. “It’s quite aggressive at times. I’ve done plenty of racing but bike racing isn’t really a contact sport.

“I’ll give as good as we get, I’m going be a rookie so I’ll have a target on my back. As long as I hold my own and enjoy it, I want to do a decent job, I know I’m not going to get anywhere near the front with them guys who’ve been doing it for donkeys years but as long as I make a good fist of it and enjoy it, it might open a few more doors in the future, I can’t race bikes forever!

“I’ll be there early, for any track time I want to be in the truck. I want to look at the data, look at what the other drivers are doing and get out on track as much as I can to learn as much as I can. “I don’t want to go there to bumble around at the back, I want to mix it up a bit.”

Tickets for the 2023 edition of Convoy in the Park are currently available to purchase from https://www.donington-park.co.uk/2023/august/convoy-in-the-park.