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Built for Speed: My Autobiography
John McGuinness is one of the all-time giants of road racing, with a huge host of victories to his name. But his easy humor and down-to-earth attitude off the bike have always kept people what’s the truth about the man inside the helmet, that has kept him at the top of such a sport for over 20 years? His autobiography tells the whole story, from his humble beginnings and getting his first bike at the age of three, to working as a bricklayer and cockle fisherman before deciding to follow his dream, and finally to his many victories in the most dangerous sporting event on the planet. He tells of what it takes to be a champion in such an exacting sport, and to keep winning even though all logic tells you to stop—and when so many of your fellow racers are paying the ultimate price for doing it. This thrilling autobiography gets into the head of the man who stares death in the face, and doesn’t even flinch.
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2018
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81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 26, 2025
The Isle of Man TT is my favourite annual rabbit hole and with race week approaching, I got completely lost in all media TT again. That’s when I stumbled over this one and immediately jumped right in. John McGuinness is one of those legends, who’d shun you for calling him that. He doesn’t really seem to love the limelight but is way too good at racing supersport bikes on narrow roads up a damn mountain, all the while avoiding hedges, lampposts, walls and whatever wildlife the sweeper guy racing at #1 didn’t scare away yet.
What I truly love about all those crazy, talented athletes is that they have such a tangible respect for each other – the way each and everyone talks about his fellow racers is full of praise and compassion and somehow always on eye-level. John McGuinness however seems to take this to extremes the way he shares his stories about other riders, his interactions with them and how they helped shape him into the man he is.
One especially emotional chapter for me was the one he told the stories with Joey Dunlop, the pure admiration and the emotional turmoil felt so real, I noticed myself tearing up on my way to work.
If you’re into motorbikes that go very fast on regular streets and don’t want to deal with massive egos along the way, dip your feet into the TT world. These guys are mad, but they’re also somehow … so normal?
I love it. Loved the way it dragged me in, loved the way it told more of the man they called King of the Mountain after Joey, and properly introduced me to a racer I might just have less of a connection to, just from hearing him in his interviews.
What I truly love about all those crazy, talented athletes is that they have such a tangible respect for each other – the way each and everyone talks about his fellow racers is full of praise and compassion and somehow always on eye-level. John McGuinness however seems to take this to extremes the way he shares his stories about other riders, his interactions with them and how they helped shape him into the man he is.
One especially emotional chapter for me was the one he told the stories with Joey Dunlop, the pure admiration and the emotional turmoil felt so real, I noticed myself tearing up on my way to work.
If you’re into motorbikes that go very fast on regular streets and don’t want to deal with massive egos along the way, dip your feet into the TT world. These guys are mad, but they’re also somehow … so normal?
I love it. Loved the way it dragged me in, loved the way it told more of the man they called King of the Mountain after Joey, and properly introduced me to a racer I might just have less of a connection to, just from hearing him in his interviews.
November 10, 2024
Unfortunately, Goodreads don't allow half a star, so had to round it up. So it was a bit difficult to rate this. Very much a bloke-y bloke book. And I think couple of passages probably should have been edited out.
Great insight into the begining of his career. Especially, as I just now discovered the world of road racing and any insight of the scene is extremely interesting.
Great insight into the begining of his career. Especially, as I just now discovered the world of road racing and any insight of the scene is extremely interesting.
June 18, 2017
John McGuinness is a TT legend and this book is the story of his life so far. I couldn't help feeling that I'd heard much of it before, perhaps because he has been interviewed at length so many times over the years. Still some interesting stuff in it though.
September 19, 2017
Another one of my motorcycle racing heroes, and second only to the late, great Joey Dunlop for Isle of Man TT wins, John McGuinness is a bloke that I very much want to learn things about. This book feels very much like it was written by John's own hand, so to speak, with only a little editing help. And yes, we get a big look into what makes the man tick.
He tells his life story in a very blunt and gritty style, just what I expected and wanted from this down-to-earth Northern lad. The format is actually quite good in that the main life story is told chronologically and interspersed with not-so-chronological tangential stories and opinions. These little gems are where I felt John showed us most of himself and it was almost like being there in the room listening to him yarn over a pint about the various people and situations that life has thrown his way.
John is quite candid in many places and shows himself as a frank and very honest man with loads of real-world working-class integrity. I think that I'd get on with John if I knew him, and his autobiography is a fine way to learn from the man himself what it is to be one of the most successful motorcycle road-racers that we've ever seen.
A great fun read and highly recommended for people who admire the real stars in sport, people like John who have not had their sporting careers seemingly handed to them on a plate, but have had to graft their way to the top, which is where John McGuinness firmly sits as one of the true greats of bike racing. Read it.
He tells his life story in a very blunt and gritty style, just what I expected and wanted from this down-to-earth Northern lad. The format is actually quite good in that the main life story is told chronologically and interspersed with not-so-chronological tangential stories and opinions. These little gems are where I felt John showed us most of himself and it was almost like being there in the room listening to him yarn over a pint about the various people and situations that life has thrown his way.
John is quite candid in many places and shows himself as a frank and very honest man with loads of real-world working-class integrity. I think that I'd get on with John if I knew him, and his autobiography is a fine way to learn from the man himself what it is to be one of the most successful motorcycle road-racers that we've ever seen.
A great fun read and highly recommended for people who admire the real stars in sport, people like John who have not had their sporting careers seemingly handed to them on a plate, but have had to graft their way to the top, which is where John McGuinness firmly sits as one of the true greats of bike racing. Read it.
January 5, 2018
Overall a nice read. Using a similar format to most biographies, it starts with an overview of John's childhood years, family life and background. It then talks about his early history with bikes from motocross to circuit racing, and of course goes into detail about his many successes at the TT.
I would say I know a fair bit about John, but not so much about his early days. It was inspiring to read about how much effort he put into his early years and how much he persevered despite multiple setbacks. I also knew John was previously British 250cc Champion and was handy on the short circuits, but I didn't realise the extent of this, as he also did a year in the WSS championship and has podiumed at BSB level.
Another highlight was some of the funny stories about the late great David Jefferies. My one minor criticism would be that at times it jumps around a bit in terms of some of the stories being told.
I would recommend reading Michael Dunlop's autobiography as well as this book. To be honest, I enjoyed Dunlop's book a little more, but I thought it was quite interesting comparing the mentality and psychology of two very successful road racers who have extremely different approaches; one willing to put everything on the line, and one a little more cautious and calculated.
I would say I know a fair bit about John, but not so much about his early days. It was inspiring to read about how much effort he put into his early years and how much he persevered despite multiple setbacks. I also knew John was previously British 250cc Champion and was handy on the short circuits, but I didn't realise the extent of this, as he also did a year in the WSS championship and has podiumed at BSB level.
Another highlight was some of the funny stories about the late great David Jefferies. My one minor criticism would be that at times it jumps around a bit in terms of some of the stories being told.
I would recommend reading Michael Dunlop's autobiography as well as this book. To be honest, I enjoyed Dunlop's book a little more, but I thought it was quite interesting comparing the mentality and psychology of two very successful road racers who have extremely different approaches; one willing to put everything on the line, and one a little more cautious and calculated.
February 20, 2023
A brilliant read. I have always been fascinated about how the world elite athletes become the best. Its never just about the required natural talent, but rather the dedication, perseverance, concentration and unique personal relationships that shape these remarkable human beings. Among these, John McGuiness's achievements stand out. A road racers mistake is potentially so much more than a loss of a race, a point, a wicket or a strike.
Read this book if you like discovering what makes talented people tick. Read this book if you enjoy motorcycles, racing and the TT. Read this book to discover a man with great family values, is down to earth, with good friends who knows how to enjoy life. Read this book if you are looking for inspiration to deal with adversities, just read this book....
Read this book if you like discovering what makes talented people tick. Read this book if you enjoy motorcycles, racing and the TT. Read this book to discover a man with great family values, is down to earth, with good friends who knows how to enjoy life. Read this book if you are looking for inspiration to deal with adversities, just read this book....
October 30, 2018
Built For Speed by John McGuinnes is a great story and covers the highs and lows of his life and racing career,it is written in chronological order so is easy to follow.John strikes me as being quite a humble man and admits himself that he could have handled things differently if he’d had a manager to push him harder as not all his decisions were based on money but just his love of motorbikes and racing.Overall an excellent and humorous read especially this latest edition with the new chapter where he talks about his horrify accident at the NW200.
February 3, 2019
This book is an honest insight into what it’s like being a road racer. It’s all ups and downs and the honesty which is so fantastic to read. John McGuiness doesn’t mince his words in the book and it makes for a fantastic read. If you’ve got a love for road racing then this book is a must! I’ve always been a fan of John’s but even more so now. He shares stories about not only the racing but also his family. One of the best books I’ve read about the sport and I simply couldn’t put it down!
April 9, 2021
Of course I did.
Yes I loved every page. From the young John, to the John we have today. I have been privileged to have been able to follow John's career over the years through the media columns in the national press or the MCN. This biography did a great job of filing loads of missing details of John's gruelling climb to the top of motorcycle racing and.at the same time painting a picture of his true character I feel privileged to have been let into his private life.
Yes I loved every page. From the young John, to the John we have today. I have been privileged to have been able to follow John's career over the years through the media columns in the national press or the MCN. This biography did a great job of filing loads of missing details of John's gruelling climb to the top of motorcycle racing and.at the same time painting a picture of his true character I feel privileged to have been let into his private life.
July 28, 2017
Fantastic
Brilliant read very honest , funny in parts , liked all the history and how he started out racing bikes
Brilliant read very honest , funny in parts , liked all the history and how he started out racing bikes
December 25, 2018
IOMTT - Honest account from someone who has lived it..
A great read, a straight shooting account of the challenges
And sacrifices required to make it in the racing world.
A great read, a straight shooting account of the challenges
And sacrifices required to make it in the racing world.
February 6, 2019
A great in sight into one of the best TT racers ever to grace the roads of the island how and when it all started.
Would highly recommend reading this great read
Would highly recommend reading this great read
March 11, 2019
Brilliant book, by one of the greatest racer,s and great bloke.
July 24, 2024
An absolute full throttle read.
June 11, 2024
A good, honest, and at times funny memoir that I read in preparation of my first TT on the island. So great to see the mindset of these road warriors.
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March 21, 2020
McGuinness reflects on the highs and lows of his career. He tells us about his triumphs and mistakes on and off track, and draws us a little further into what makes him tick & where his character flaws lie.
He doesn’t flatter himself and he certainly doesn’t present a sugarcoated version of himself. He’s open and honest and reflective, but I found it to be a challenging read at times.
He doesn’t flatter himself and he certainly doesn’t present a sugarcoated version of himself. He’s open and honest and reflective, but I found it to be a challenging read at times.
April 9, 2023
A really interesting read. McGuiness is quite a character and certainly doesn't hold back here. However as the book was organised thematically, rather than in chronological order, I found it didn't flow very well and was a bit repetitive in places.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews