Spanners and sideburns, of course Guy Martin!
This guest blog was written by our work experience student Beth Drury from the Dukeries Academy
Who is Guy Martin?
Guy Martin was born on the 4th November 1981 in a low-income suburb of Grimsby. He was named Guy in tribute to Guy Gibson of No. 617 Squadron RAF. His father Ian was a successful privateer motorbike racer who had competed in several Isle of Man TT events.
As a child Guy was fascinated by engines, and would take lawnmowers apart to try and make them faster. Although his interest matched his father’s trade, he was happy for Guy to do his own thing. Since birth Martin and his siblings attended every Isle of Man TT, until their father crashed. This was racing a Yamaha FZ750 at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough in 1998 when Guy was aged 7. Guy’s had his trademark salient sideburns since he was 16-years-old.
Guy Martin’s racing career
As well as being a lorry mechanic, Guy made his racing debut in 2004. So far he has accumulated five podiums and is currently the second fastest man to have lapped the TT course, with a speed of 129.816mph. Martin suffered a serious crash at the 2015 Ulster Grand Prix Superbike race in August. Following the crash, Guy didn’t get back on his bike until March 2016.
In 2011, he also got into bicycle racing, in 24-hour events. Then in the 2016 season Martin decided not to race in the TT for the first time in 11 years, opting instead for a mountain bike race. He was uncertain if the decision would lead him to retire from road racing, mountain bike racing, or if he would go on to do something else. He said “if I do race on the roads it will be with TAS” and he wants to try the Wall of Death record again in the spring.
Television
Guy has shined on television over the past few years with his own programs. Guy’s first series’ started in 2011 and continues to the present day. In 2016, Guy Martin’s Wall of Death got over one million viewers talking, as he broke the world record! In this live special; Martin attempted to set a world speed record on a purpose built version of the wall of death fairground attraction. It also featured recordings of Martin being trained by experienced rider Ken Fox, seeing how G-force affected the human body. Nobody had ever ridden the Wall of Death any faster than 45mph, but during the record attempt, Guy topped this massively with an astonishing 80mph!
Guy’s merchandise
At Two Wheel Centre we stock Guy’s AGV Replica Helmets, so if you are a big Guy Martin fan get yourself a replica helmet from us in store or online. They vary from £129.99-£599.99.
- AGV Corsa Guy Martin Replica Helmet for £599.99
- AGV K5 Guy Martin 3some for £249.99
- AGV K3 SV Guy Martin for £189.99
- AGV K3 Guy Martin for £129.99
Each helmet has its own unique style.
Guy isn’t comfortable with being a public figure and rejects any notion that he is a celebrity, turning down offers such as starring in Top Gear. After struggling coming to terms with the fame brought by his media work, Martin was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Although, he doesn’t let this stop him being the daredevil he is. Guy says “this hasn’t changed me in any way; it just confirms I do certain things in certain ways.”
