After an all-too-long halt due to unprecedented times, The Isle of Man TT is back – and we’re told that TT legend John McGuinness (second only to Dunlop himself when it comes to winning the dang thing) will be running with Honda for the 2022 season.
McGuiness already has a neat 23 wins under his belt – though they’re not all with Honda.
The report from AutoSport states that the legendary racer “was due to contest the previous two TTs with Bournemouth Kawasaki, having quit Norton following a woeful comeback in 2019 – in which he failed to finish both Superbike races through mechanical issues.”
The others – 16 wins – were for Honda, with 12 of those times on the absolutely bonkers CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.
Regardless, we’re ready to celebrate the gent. Set for his 100th TT start this year at the age of 50, the report states that “McGuinness will ride the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland and at the TT in 2022 in the Superbike and Superstock classes.”
“What can I say really, it’s like coming back home to the family,” McGuinness says in the report from AutoSport.
“I’ve been in talks for a while with Neil [Fletcher, Honda UK’s head of motorcycles] and Harv [Beltran, team manager] 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!”
Standby for the start of the event on the 29th of May, scheduled to run until the 10th of June; in the meantime, be sure to check out other recent news from our archives, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.
The Isle of Man TT’s new Safety Management System (SMS) has been unveiled, aiming to drive safety performance, and safeguard the future sustainability of the iconic event, a move likely aimed at proactively fending off pearl-clutchers who are increasingly closing down anything remotely dangerous.
The SMS ushers in a new, systematic approach to managing risk, encompassing organisational structure and policies; hazard identification and mitigation; third party assurance; and the promotion and communication of standards.
All areas of the event have been subjected to careful review under this new process, which is designed to ensure unnecessary risks are mitigated. To fans watching worldwide the SMS won’t always be noticeable, but to teams, riders and those working on the event its introduction marks the beginning of a significant change in culture.
A range of new initiatives resulting from the SMS will be rolled out in time for TT 2022. Changes will be delivered across much of the organisational structure, bringing numerous benefits and further investment to a number of areas, including race management; regulations and standards; accident response and investigation; marshalling; medical provision; and paddock infrastructure.
TT Production Manager, Nige Crennell, has led the SMS project. Nige joined the TT organisation in 2018 after a career in the RAF, first as a Tornado pilot and more latterly in aviation risk management. Working with a range of stakeholders across Isle of Man Government and the wider TT organisational network, Nige took full advantage of the two-year hiatus to start the journey and ensure that when the TT resumes in 2022, it does so from a much stronger position.
Nige Crennell – TT Production Manager
“For the TT to be sustainable in the long term we have to be able to manage effectively the risks associated with the event and protect against reputational damage. This isn’t about making sure that everyone is wearing the right kind of hi-vis jacket. It’s about clearly defining roles and responsibilities. We want to be confident that everyone involved is doing their job to the best of their ability and has all of the tools and training required to do so.”
Fellow Manxman, Doctor Gareth Davies, has also played a significant role. Doctor Davies is one of the Chief Medical Officers for the TT and, until very recently, was head of London’s Air Ambulance, leading teams in the response to London’s major incidents: the Paddington, Southall and Potters Bar rail disasters, the 7/7 bombings, and the terrorist attacks at Westminster and London Bridge. Whilst Doctor Davies will continue with the TT’s own Air-Med provision, his decades working in Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine (PHEM) have helped to shape much of the project.
Gareth Davies – Chief Medical Officer
“It’s been an incredible process and one I’m proud to be part of. There may be some mourning for some of the more outdated and makeshift elements of the TT, but you can’t apply professional excellence without making changes – and that’s the business we’re in. There’ll be new generations of TT fan who will embrace what we’re doing and will support it wholeheartedly. I’ll be proud to hand over this new version of the TT to the next custodians, which is all we are.”
The SMS is a comprehensive process without an end point. Below is an overview of the most notable changes planned for TT 2022 and their benefits.
Organisational Structure
Greater clarity between Promoter, Race Organiser and Governing Body
Greater clarity around all roles and responsibilities
Greater oversight throughout the new structure
Greater consultation and collaboration across the entirety of ‘Team TT’
Establishing more effective communication channels between all parties and volunteers
Up-scaling the organisational team to mitigate key person risks
Course Oversight
Race Control redesigned and rebuilt for TT 2022
Installation of electronic red flag system, partnering with F1 and MotoGP supplier
Bespoke GPS tracking system (Tested at TT 2022, mandatory for TT 2023)
Installation of CCTV, giving race control more oversight of the TT Course
Marshalling the Mountain
Root-and-branch review conducted of role and scope of marshal organisation
Closer working relationship with the Race Organiser
Ensuring common standards with assets in the UK and Isle of Man
New-look marshal training designed and created with key personnel
Investment in marshal training, including two new online modules
Investment in IMC training tools, including two sidecar fabrications
Largest-ever marshal training programme to roll out ahead TT 2022
Equipment for Marshals and Medics
Investment in Air-Med provision, fitting out helicopters with latest equipment
Investment in Air-Med welfare, with provision of new welfare unit
Investment in medical response with acquisition of a fast-response vehicle
Investment in 60+ marshalling posts, upgrading and replacing equipment
Investment in marshal PPE, including essential fire safety gear
Accident Response
Race Control to gain complete oversight of TT Course
Digital red flag system and GPS tracking to aid accident response
Air-Med helicopters fitted out for improved medical fit
Availability of a fast-response vehicle
New common standards applied for marshals training
Accident investigation
Comprehensive change in culture to accident investigation
Improved response to any external enquiry
Introduction of a proactive accident reporting process
Introduction of an incident lessons timeline (6hrs / 12hrs / 24hrs)
Inclusion of pre-accident factors in investigations
Analysis of accident timeline and chain of events to drive decision-making
Analysis of accident and near-miss data to drive decision-making
Collected organisational intelligence to drive decision-making
Use of CCTV, in-car cameras and body cams to supplement evidence
Rider PPE (Personal Protection Equipment)
Increased PPE standards for leathers, boots, gloves and body armour
Introduction of FIM helmet homologation standard for TT racing
Creation of a technical team, trained for oversight of standards
Race Regulations
Reduction of starters in each race (50 in 1000cc classes, 60 elsewhere)
More exclusive field to drive higher standards and professionalism
Change to single start (no longer pairs) for Qualifying
Longer afternoon session to open Qualifying, easing pressure on teams
Final qualifying moved to the afternoon, ensuring longer preparation and recovery time
Single-lap warm-up on race days to give riders feel for course conditions
On-Site Care
Acquisition of a new, state-of-the-art, medical centre to be located on-site
Beginning the journey to establish an event-specific medical code
New drug and alcohol protocols (zero tolerance) and testing programme
Sports-science research project initiated with University College Isle of Man
Rider Welfare
New protocols to care for the mental health of riders
Introduction of ‘chill-out’ zone, gifting riders time and space
Access to trained occupational therapists
Pit-lane Operation
Larger pit boxes, accommodating four-person crew
Fire safety cover for all teams
Alterations to pit entry and exit with wireless timing system
New railings to assist with the filling of fuel dispensers