Working-class hero Guy Martin has retired from racing at the Isle of Man TT.
The move doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as we recently found out Martin wouldn’t be racing at the Ulster GP this summer. According to his statement below, that wasn’t really his decision.
Martin doesn’t plan to quit racing altogether, he says, but he will not be hooning around the Mountain Circuit on the latest superbike every spring. Now, he’s got his sights set on the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, which he’s already tackled on two wheels and now intends to try on four.
See Martin’s statement below, as posted on his Facebook fan page, typos and all:
“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 Id 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.
“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
The photo on top shows Guy Martin on an Indian Scout at what looks like a “Wall of Death” venue… Could this be the new career path for Guy?? 🙂 🙂 In any event, I wish him well, in whatever he chooses to do.
I imagine a near death experience has a pretty profound impact on the direction your life is heading.