Tyco Suzuki has confirmed the much-anticipated news that Guy Martin has signed for the Northern Ireland based outfit for the 2012 Road Racing Season.
The 2011 Ulster Grand Prix Superbike winner and quadruple podium finisher at last year’s Isle of Man TT will partner Manxman Conor Cummins in an all-new line for the three major International Road Races, the North West 200, the Ulster Grand Prix and the Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy, with BSB rider Alastair Seeley also joining them in a three-pronged attack at the North West 200 in May.
It will be Guy’s second season racing for the Moneymore based TAS Racing and in inimitable Guy Martin style, he explained just why he wanted to remain on GSX-R Suzuki machinery this term with Tyco Suzuki.
“It’s taken a while, but it was always on the cards. I’m happy to be back with the team for a second year and I love the new Tyco Suzuki colours. Great job. I couldn’t knock last year to be honest; the only thing we didn’t do was win a TT, but hopefully we’ll put that right in June. That’s the box we want to tick. The North West and Ulster are great events but it’s a TT win I really want. The team is good enough, the bikes are good enough and I believe the rider is good enough, so it’s time to go out and bloody win one.”
Guy has now achieved 13 podium finishes at the Isle of Man TT Races since his debut in 2004 and enjoyed a very successful TT Races in 2011 with podium finishes in the two Monster Energy Supersport and the RL360 Superstock Race, culminating in the thrilling PokerStars Senior TT where he led John McGuinnessat the end of the second lap before finishing seven seconds adrift in the six lap race, one of the closest Senior TT finishes in history. He also finished third in the overall championship.
Guy met Tyco Suzuki Team Manager Philip Neill in Northern Ireland last week to finally sign on the dotted line and Philip is clearly now looking forward to the season:
“After all the speculation it’s nice to finally be able to officially announce that Guy Martin will continue to race for TAS in 2012, in the new Tyco Suzuki livery. I think we both knew that it was going to happen. We made a verbal agreement to each other last August at the Ulster Grand Prix, but all the speculation has brought great publicity for our sponsors, the team and Suzuki, which is great. But I suppose when Guy gets out of bed these days he gets media coverage.”
“He’s a hard man to pin down with such a busy schedule, but Guy proved last year that he has all the ingredients required to go all out for that TT win in June. It’s eluded him so far, but we’ll go all out together to make it happen.”
“He’s not just the most popular rider in the UK these days, but also very popular outside the sport, which is good for motorcycling in general. Everyone at TAS, Suzuki, Tyco and existing sponsors like Ian Glen from Beacon are delighted to see him stay for a second year. And with Conor on-board and now Guy I think we have strong team looking ahead to the three international meetings.”
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Manager, Isle of Man Government is also pleased to see a two man Tyco Suzuki team confirmed for this season’s Isle of Man TT Races:
“It’s always exciting for the fans, and the organisers, to see strong riders sign up for the leading teams and the Tyco Suzuki outfit will attract huge interest with both of their riders. Although neither has yet won a TT Race they both have gone very close and with a bit of luck either could already have stood on the top step on the TT podium. They’ll both have plenty of support at this year’s event and will definitely be one of the teams to beat.”
