Glenn Irwin to make Isle of Man TT debut with Honda alongside John McGuinness
BSB rider Glenn Irwin is set to make his first Isle of Man TT appearance with Honda at the third time of asking in 2022.
Irwin, who joined Honda Racing UK at the beginning of 2019, was set to take part in the 2020 and 2021 Isle of Man TT events before they were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, should all things go ahead as planned, Irwin will join TT veteran and 23 time race winner John McGuinness for the 101st staging of the famous race.
Along with his full-time BSB commitments and the Isle of Man TT, Irwin is also scheduled for the North West 200.
"Finally, I’ll be making my long-awaited TT debut with Honda! We’re now more familiar with the new Fireblade and the team is more familiar; I like to have home comforts as such and continuing with the bike and the same team I think puts us in a better position with a frame of mind," said Irwin.
"We still have no targets set and no expectations for the Isle of Man TT, we’re going there to learn and enjoy.
"It’s incredible to have someone like John as my teammate on the roads, he’s someone I have looked up to and is probably the second greatest TT rider after another Honda-man Joey! [Dunlop].
"To have that opportunity to be able to learn off him, and be able to be part of the team, see everything first-hand and to learn off him experiencing the ‘McGuinness-factor’ is something I am really excited about!
"On the flip side, we go to the North West 200 where we can work together and I think we can realistically set targets there – I would love to achieve Honda’s first international road race win on the new Fireblade at the NW200 and add to my Superbike wins there.
"We’re fully aware we’ve not been there in a few years, but like everyone else, we’ll go, and we’ll do our homework.
"For sure the Honda team are the best to go road racing with, and BSB, and hopefully we can find our feet during practice and if we’re feeling confident look towards adding to the NW200 wins."
For McGuinness, it’s a return to Honda who are by far the most successful manufacturer around the Isle of Man TT course.
Honda have 20 wins with the Fireblade in the top class - 12 of which have come from McGuiness, while also holding 189 total wins as a manufacturer - 65 clear of any other.
McGuinness, who turns 50 next year will be making his 100th TT start in a year where the team also celebrates its 30 year anniversary of the Fireblade.
McGuinness added: "What can I say really, it's like coming back home to the family! I've been in talks for a while with Neil [Fletcher] and Harv [Beltran] and it's just something that feels right; it's the 30th anniversary of the Fireblade, I'll be 50 years old and also celebrating my 100th TT start, so it feels like it's meant to be.
"I've enjoyed a lot of success on the roads with the Honda and worked with Harv back in the day with HM Plant Honda, so I'm looking forward to getting back into the set-up and getting going.
"I had a little go on the Fireblade earlier this year and was impressed with it on-track, so looking forward to getting on the roads and seeing how it goes.
"It's going to be a special year with everything going on and also just getting back to the North West 200 and the TT and everyone racing there again - I can't wait to get stuck in!"
