A lap of the Isle of Man with TT legend John McGuinness

By Julian B. Hoffmann Managing Editor Porsche Newsroom

Motorcycling royalty and Porsche 911 owner John McGuinness MBE takes us on a guided tour of his absolute favourite place on earth in the latest entry of the Porsche Newsroom Sunday Drives series.

At a glance

• Where: The Isle of Man, UK.
• Length: Precisely 37.73 miles (approximately 60 kilometres).
• Type: Fast, unforgiving, and completely unique in world motorsport, the legendary TT course starts and ends in Douglas, utilizing public roads that weave through town centres, rolling countryside, and over the iconic Mountain section where no upper speed limit applies.

Since making his TT debut back in 1996, John McGuinness MBE has clocked up thousands of laps around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course. With 23 TT victories to his name, he knows every single one of the 260-or-so corners like the back of his hand. While his legacy was forged on two wheels, he is equally fond of tackling the island on four wheels behind the wheel of his 996-generation Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

His lifelong connection with the Isle of Man began at an early age. Growing up across the water in Morecambe, a seaside town in the north of England, a young McGuinness would regularly skip school, sneaking onto the ferry across the Irish Sea to the port of Douglas with his BMX bike in tow. Little did he imagine back then that he would one day have an official corner on the 60-kilometre course named in his honour.

A lifelong connection to the Isle of Man TT

“I grew up dreaming about racing at the TT and as it turned out I’ve spent my entire adult life doing exactly that,” says McGuinness, now 54. “I go there as often as I can and driving or riding a lap never gets old. Every bump, crest and corner holds the secret to a better lap, and a few stories of races gone by.

“When the roads are open to the public most are 30 mph [48 km/h] zones; during a race I go through them at closer to 190 mph [306 km/h], so chasing speed in the car doesn’t feel necessary. There’s no harm in running the right lines, though. When you drive off the boat in Douglas, you’re about four sets of traffic lights and five minutes away from being on the greatest ribbon of tarmac ever made.”

Exploring the Mountain Course in a Porsche 911

McGuinness can recite TT history off the cuff at virtually any mark on the circuit.

“Even the section after Ago’s leap is special when the roads are open. On the left there’s the Secret Garden. Ros, the owner, welcomes famous faces for a glimpse of life at 170 mph [274 km/h].

“I’ve introduced a few friends to the TT by sitting them there,” he explains, recalling guests including Porsche Brand Ambassador Mark Webber, motoring journalist Chris Harris, and Kurt Geiger CEO Neil Clifford. “They’ve all laid on the wall and watched me carry a cheeky wheelie during a fast lap. In the car it’s a third-gear ‘nothingness’ of a road. On the bike it’s wide open in fifth gear – and on one wheel if I know someone is watching.”

Key corners on the Isle of Man TT course

Following heavy braking at Quarterbridge, one of the course’s slower turns, the circuit heads past the local rugby club.

“Quarterbridge catches people out because it’s the first big braking and turning corner,” notes McGuinness. “After a year of waiting, and on cold tyres and with a full tank of fuel, it’s easy to overstep the mark. In the car it’s a mini roundabout, with a fast-food restaurant round the corner and a fuel station if you need it. On the bike, it’s first gear, clip the kerb on the inside and then full gas to fourth gear on the run to Braddan Bridge.”

Heading west towards Laurel Bank with its lush, green verges, McGuinness describes the stark contrast between two wheels and four. On the bike, he is flat out in top gear.

“It’s a joy to drive a lap in such a nice car on my own. Usually I’m in a hire car overloaded with friends on our way to a restaurant to get away from the paddock.”

Opening up along the Cronk-Y-Voddy straight, the Porsche 911 allows him to soak up the scenery.

“I’m usually flat out in top along here, eyes fixated on the horizon, bike straddling the crown of the road.”

Flat out through McGuinness’s Corner

Past the stone-walled kink at Handley’s, a quick left-hand bend was officially christened ‘McGuinness’s Corner’ in 2013.

“It’s a great feeling having my own corner here, especially when you consider who else has had the same treatment.”

When asked how he approaches it during a race lap, his response is vintage McGuinness:

“Flat out in top, sixth gear and 180 mph [290 km/h].”

From there, the course winds towards Ramsey Square, a place where he often pauses for coffee and pastries.

“Parking is easy and the cake is good. Plus the view changes as we head out of Ramsey and onto the mountain where it can get bleak in bad weather.”

From Ramsey to the Mountain section

The right-hander at the Gooseneck marks the gateway to the famous mountain section, where open speed limits apply.

“When visibility is good you can see the road ahead, and oncoming traffic, for miles. There’s no place like it in the world. On my bike I’d be at 195 mph [314 km/h] in some sections.”

Descending through Windy Corner, around Kate’s Cottage, and down towards the famous Creg Ny Baa landmark, speeds settle back down, though the views remain dramatic.

“When Douglas comes into view below, you know you’ve almost completed another lap, even if there are still a few miles to go. That view is special every time.”

The sweeping left at Brandish and the uphill right at Hillberry bring an end to the open road sections. Navigating through the built-up edges of Douglas, the lap slows further into The Nook.

“It’s the only section of the course that isn’t open to the public all year round,” says McGuinness. “Surrounded by trees, it’s damp almost all year round. You have to remind yourself to take it easy – this is where you could throw a good lap away with a silly mistake.”

Rejoining the main public road via the roundabout onto Glencrutchery Road, the start-finish grandstands and control tower sit quiet for eleven months of the year. With the speed limit set at 30 mph, everyday life moves along at a gentle pace.

Why the TT Course remains unmatched

“But climb the steps in the first week of June and you’ll witness something spectacular,” McGuinness concludes. “I’ll never get tired of lapping this place. How could I? It’s the greatest road in the world.”

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