Morecambe’s John McGuinness completed his World Endurance Championship season on Saturday with a fine fifth place at the final round in Qatar. Riding this time with Glen Richards and Keith Amor, the Honda TT Legends team were on the pace throughout and, after qualifying in ninth place, they were able to advance significantly forward in the 8-hour race to secure their third fifth place finish of the year. After a solid start in first practice, all three riders improved their times in the second and final qualifying session with each getting thirty minutes of track time around the 3.43-mile Doha circuit. The team’s overall combined time of 2m03.381s was good enough to qualify them in ninth place overall. When the race got underway on Saturday afternoon, Richards set a blistering pace in the first stint taking numerous places and John was able to consolidate the team’s position. Indeed, they were lying in third as he handed over to Amor and over the next few hours, positions changed frequently. As darkness fell, the team were in fifth position and it was John who had the honour of not only completing the final stint of the 8 hours but also of the 2011 season. The fifth place meant the team ended the year in 7th place overall in the Championship with 43 points. Speaking afterwards, a pleased John commented; “We’ve finished three races this year and finished fifth each time so, for our first year in the Championship, I think that’s a fantastic achievement. Qualifying went well and although I knew it was going to be tough out there, once again we strung together a pretty faultless race and with no issues we were able to bring the bike home for a good finish. It’s quite a unique place to be racing and I was honoured to take the final stint for the team so the 8 Hours of Qatar is another box ticked in my ‘things to do’ list! I’ve got to say a big thanks to everyone in the team – they’ve been mega all year long and with a lot of work going on behind the scenes, especially the ABS project, they’ve done an awesome job. It’s all over for them but I’m heading off to Macau now and I’m really looking forward to getting on board the SMT Honda – it won’t be easy but I’ll certainly be going for the win once more!” The Macau Grand Prix gets underway on Thursday with first practice whilst the 15-lap race takes place on Saturday, 19th November. ENDS