John McGuinness scored his first Supersport TT podium finish since 2008 when he finished secnd in Thursday's race at the 2011 Isle of Man TT races and scored his 50th TT finish into the bargain.
Postponed to 12.15pm after the initial race was red flagged due to rain on Wednesday, McGuinness held second for the majority of the race and although he was pushed back to third on lap three, he took second place at the chequered flag after a thrilling final lap ended when Cameron Donald retired within two miles of the finish.
On the Padgett's Honda for the final time this week, conditions were a lot more favourable for today's race and an opening lap of 124.470mph saw John immediately slot into runner-up place.
Race leader Gary Johnson was setting a ferocious pace though and had opened up a near ten second lead over McGuiness with the Morecambe man having his hands full with the group of riders behind him, just six seconds separating McGuinness in secnd and Dan Kneen in sixth.
Johnson was away with it at the front but an increased second lap speed of 125.276mph saw John consolidate his second place although it was still tight with Donald and Guy Martin both within five seconds.
Donald managed to overhaul McGuinness on the third lap by almost five seconds but on the fourth and final lap, he continued to eat into the Australian's lead and it was down to 2.5s as they swept through Ramsey Hairpin setting it up for a thrilling finale. McGuinness crossed the line with his best lap of the race, 125.629mph, to finish 8.4s behind debut winner Johnson but 13 seconds clear of third placed man Guy Martin, Donald having ground to a halt at Signpost Corner. The runner up spot was his 32nd podium.
"To get my 32nd podium and 50th TT finish today feels absolutely fantastic and it was another thoroughly enjoyable race. I'm a bit rusty on the 600 as I only ride it a couple of times a year but I'd learnt a bit from following Keith (Amor) in the first race so had a real good go on the first lap," said McGuinness.
"Fair play to Gary, he was riding really well and simply going faster than me but the bike was absolutely faultless and never missed a beat. I gave it my best from beginning to end, like I always do, and you can't do much more than that. That's three rides on the Padgetts bikes this week and three great results so massive credit to Clive and the boys for giving me a great package this week.
"I'm happy with the result and delighted to be on the podium again whilst notching up my 50th finish is something special. The only strange thing about the race was that I never saw a sole for the entire four laps - I never overtook anyone, no-one came by me, I never saw a break down, never saw a flag, nothing. It was the first race where I haven't hit a bird though so at least that's something!"
