Lincolnshire ace Guy Martin will be looking for a repeat of 2006 when he lines up on the Hydrex Honda’s for the Stoneyford Concrete Ulster Grand Prix which gets underway tomorrow with the first official practice sessions.
Martin, the fast talking man from Kirmington, has won eight times around the 7.4mile Dundrod Circuit five of those wins coming in 2006 .
That was when he won the Dundrod 150 race on Thursday afternoon, then won the two supersport events and the two superbike races on the Saturday, finishing second in the superstock race to cap what was a remarkable week.
Martin, who has an air of eccentricity about him and has been keeping somewhat of a low profile this season, said: “Aye a repeat of that would be mint.
“I recently won the Southern 100 championship and had a good run out at Armoy last weekend where I had three top four finishes.
“Dundrod is my favourite course, fast and flowing although having said that Armoy was mega at the weekend.
“I’m going to Dundrod to enjoy the racing and if I’m enjoying it that’s when the results seem to come.
“Once I stop enjoying it that’s time to pack it in.”
Guy has had his share of machine problems this season when he looked a sure bet for podium placed finishes at the TT.
“Anything that’s in our hands, the superstock and superbike, are both okay although that chain breaking after the pit stop in the Senior TT was real disappointing,” says Guy.
“It’s the supersport that has been worked on by the team that has given most problems all season.
“Having said that, when it is right it is absolutely mega so we’ll just take it as it comes at Dundrod and see how we end up.
“It has been a real busy schedule for me recently and there is still a bit of work to do on the bikes before we arrive at Dundrod on Wednesday morning, but we’ll get them finished in between the normal day job here in the garage and be ready for the off come first practice.
“I’m not making any predictions as to how we’ll go this week, just that I’m looking forward to a dry race for a change and better fortune for the organisers after last year’s wash-out.”
Martin is currently the second fastest rider around Dundrod and one of only three who have broken the 131mph barrier alongside outright lap record holder John McGuinness and Cameron Donald.
Given a mechanical free run expect him to be amongst the front-runners when practice commences tomorrow.
