I started looking at road racing a few years ago. I was familiar with the Isle of Man TT but besides that, I didn't really know much about it, neither did I pay much attention to it. That all changed when I bought a copy of Motorcycle Racer magazine and I saw a picture of Guy Martin. Apart from the fact that I didn't know him, those sideburns very much caught my eye. Who is this guy ? ( no pun intended ). It turned out that he was relatively new on the scene, participating in his first senior TT in 2004 and finishing 7th on his maiden visit to the Isle. On top of that, he smashed the lap record set by a rookie with an average speed of 122,10 mph, i.e. 196,46 kmh . Even though he is English, he has been riding with an Irish license for some time. He lost his English one over a dispute with some officials where he allegedly had closed a laptop applying some minor force to it while an official still had his fingers on the keyboard...
Unfortunately, until today Guy hasn't been able to win a senior TT at the Isle of Man yet. After one year on the R1 in 2006, he switched to Hydrex Honda for 2007. He got 2nd place in the Senior TT that year and since he was staying with the same team for 2008, he became one of the favourites to win it. He has come close though in 2008 when mechanical problems forced him to retire when battling at the front. In 2009, he was running 3d when again mechancial trouble hit and ended his podium challenge.
Although unlucky at the Isle of Man TT, Martin's career has been far from fruitless. In 2009, he clinched his 7th straight victory in Scarborough ( pictured above ). His stats include 5 wins at the Ulster Grand Prix, 2 podiums in the NW200 Superbike race and 8 podiums at the Isle of Man. Like many other road racers, Guy participates in a number of events during the same race weekend. apart from the Superbike races, he also rides in the Superstock class and Supersport.
What makes him so special for me ? First of all, all road racers are heroes. Guy Martin has this flair over him that I haven't seen with any of his current competitors. His Wolverine-look, his bold statements, his wit and his talent as well as the invisible swith that is being turned off ( or on if you like ) when taking to the track is truly remarkable. Being dressed by the same leather couturier as Valentino Rossi and waring the same helmet brand, he has made friends with one of the greatest rider of all times, a rider that has massive respect for Guy and his colleagues. It takes more than just riding on public roads. It takes determination, skill and no fear to race bikes and in a way not thinking of what might happen without the "safety" of closed race tracks. He will turn 29 this year, and still has plenty of opportunities to break the seal on the Isle of Man. It is just a matter of time.For sure, I will be keeping a close eye on him uring the 2010 road racing season.
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