Guy pictured recently at Castle Combe
Reports are rife on the internet that Guy Martin has indeed finished with Road Racing, this is not exactly what has been stated by Guy himself and these reports and statements can only be regarded as a stretching of the truth, and a very large stretch it is at that!
(Never let the truth get in the way of a good story) as the saying goes.
The facts are stated by Guy himself on his own page, see statement below; yes it’s been a year of failure with regards to road racing for Guy with his only race at the 2017 TT being a successful 2nd place aboard the Mugen Zero machine.
Guy was also withdrawn from the NW200 races after John McGuinness crashed out during the event with what at the time was an unknown electrical fault on the new Honda SP2 Fireblade
As for the Senior Race Guy had a terminal Gearbox failure (Yet to be confirmed by Honda) on the SP2 Honda Fireblade causing Guy to have an off at over 120 mph at the fast Dorans bend on the mountain course with Guy stating “All I had was a box full of Neutrals”
A disastrous 2017 TT for Guy aboard the Honda Fireblade
So let’s get to the truth, here is Guys own statement on what is happening and some insight on his future plans.
Guy Martin –
“So a lot of folk have been talking asking about racing and what I’m doing.
I went into the year right excited about the new Honda. I thought it would be great straight away and so did the team.
I soon realised that it needed a lot of developing and it will be great but it needs time and I’ve got loads of other projects going on, that I’d rather use that time for.
I didn’t get involved to develop a bike over months and years, I was told I’d have a bike capable of winning straight away and that’s why I couldn’t turn down the opportunity.
TT was a bloody disaster, aside from walking the dog and racing the Mugen, I didn’t enjoy it. It was clear even before that we were going to struggle and then it turned into me really being a test rider, which I did but after we did more testing at Cadwell a few weeks back, I said to the team the bike won’t be competitive at the Ulster Grand Prix and they decided to withdraw me from the event, although they didn’t tell me, which is OK as the decision was made for me
Guy’s highlight of the 2017 TT was on-board the Mugen Zero machine
So I’ve not given up on racing or road racing, there’s no unfinished business and I want to race classics and oddball stuff. All I’ve been thinking about recently is Pikes Peak and any spare time my brain has had is about Pikes Peak on 4 wheels. That job is down to me and if it doesn’t work, it’s my fault and I like that
So there’s no bad feeling. Neil Tuxworth has been upfront with me from the start and it’s a shame for everyone that the new bike hasn’t worked. I know how much effort I put in and so do the team, so no regrets but I’ve got no plans to do anymore road racing on the Hondas this year
Nigel Racing Corporation (NRC) current plans are preparation for Pikes Peak and classic racing but the plans can change with the wind
Ta for the support.” Guy
Thanks Guy and I hope you achieve your dreams at Pikes Peak and in all that you do, especially with the new addition coming this year for you and Sharon.
Report and images – Glynne Lewis
