Guy Martin says Cookstown 100 is 'a bit of fun' ahead of the 2012 TT
Isle of Man TT star Guy Martin says his entry into the Cookstown 100 Road Races is a chance to give his Tyco Suzuki machines a run and ‘have a bit of fun’.
Saturday’s races are held at the Orritor Circuit near the Northern Irish team’s Moneymore workshop. Having missed the test at Kirkistown, Martin will use Cookstown as a shakedown ahead of the international road races, including the Isle of Man TT fuelled by Monster Energy.
Martin said:
“The Cookstown is a right good old fashioned road race and I always love coming to Northern Ireland.”
“I’ve been busy with loads of different projects lately and while I’m not a fan of press conferences and all the pomp that goes with it, I love racing bikes and especially with the TAS boys.”
“I missed the test at the start of the week, which was a pity as they got two great days of sunshine at Kirkistown, but I’ll be right. Hopefully it stays dry and we can give all of the bikes a bit of a run out and have a bit of fun with these boys.”
“We’re not coming to hang it out boy – not at all! But I’m certainly not turning up to finish last. We’ll leave all the predictions to the circuit specialists and see what happens, but I am looking forward to it.”
Team Manager Philip Neill added:
“As a local team based in Moneymore it’s always nice to be able to support our local road race, the Cookstown 100, when the diary allows us. We’ve been at Cookstown with a number of tops riders over the years and with the majority of our team based within the area, it’s a nice way for them to showcase what they do on a weekly basis in British championship and also on the International Road Racing scene.”
“We have new title sponsors this year in Tyco Security Products, so I’m sure many of the fans will be delighted to see our bikes back in traditional GSX-R Suzuki colours this weekend.”
“Guy Martin is a popular figure in road racing and also outside it these days, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him drawing a few alternative fans this weekend. If it helps the Cookstown Club sell a few more programmes then all good.”
“Guy will primarily use the Cookstown as a test for the NW200 and TT as he’s had very little bike time. In saying that, I’m sure he’ll be competitive on the Orritor Circuit – I think he actually holds the lap record – but I’d say the big favourite as always will be local man and circuit specialist Ryan Farquhar.”
“As long as it’s a good safe day’s racing we’ll head to Oulton Park – our next BSB round – very happy.”