TT2012: Joey's record within reach, says McGuinness
Isle of Man TT genius John McGuinness has not ruled out the possibility of toppling Ulster road racing idol Joey Dunlop as the undisputed 'King of the Mountain'.
The Honda TT Legends rider starts as favourite for the prestigious PokerStars Senior race on the Island, when victory would give McGuinness his 20th TT success - just six short of Dunlop's all-time record of 26 wins.
At 40 years of age, McGuinness has seemingly lost none of his powers around the legendary 37.73-mile public roads course and the down-to-earth English rider is refusing to rule out his chances of becoming the most successful rider in TT history.
"It's probably something that I'm not aiming for. I always wanted to win one TT and to win one was amazing, to finish one was fantastic, so I've never even dreamed of winning this many," said McGuinness.
"It's like some sort of dream, but I remember when Joey passed Mike Hailwood's record of 14 wins and then he went on to win 26.
"He was 48 when he was winning and I've got eight years left in me to win seven, so it's possible.
"It's not out of the question, but it's not something I'm going for - if it happens it will be a fantastic bonus," he told Manx Radio TT 365.
"If it doesn't happen, I'll still have had a fantastic TT career."
McGuinness - who stormed to victory in last Saturday's Dainese Superbike race - still has plenty on his plate to usurp Joey and be crowned the new Mountain monarch, but he can eclipse the hero-worshipped Northern Ireland icon as the TT's most celebrated winner in the premier Superbike class with his 20th triumph today.
Both riders are currently poised on 13 wins apiece in the feature class, but McGuinness could overtake Joey with a repeat of his dominant Superbike TT masterclass.
His principal rivals include Cameron Donald on Wilson Craig's Honda, plus Kiwi Bruce Anstey (Padgetts Honda), Tyco Suzuki ace Guy Martin and Michael Dunlop on the Hunts Motorcycles/McAdoo Fireblade.
