2012 International Road Racing
For the second consecutive year, Isle of Man TT star Guy Martin will remain with the Moneymore-based TAS Racing.
But for 2012, Martin’s Suzuki GSX-R 1000 won’t be just donning TAS colors; the Gixxer will don the graphics/colors of its major sponsor for 2012, Tyco. The news of Martin competing on the Tyco Suzuki by TAS Racing arrives after the team singed Manxman Conor Cummins last week.
Guy Martin and Cummins will compete on the International Road Racing scene, which includes the Isle of Man TT, the North West 200 and the Ulster Grand Prix. Also joining the Tyco-Suzuki lineup for the North West 200 this May will be British Superbike’s Alastair Seeley.
Martin, who took four podiums in 2011 Isle of Man TT and won the 2011 Ulster Grand Prix with Suzuki by TAS Racing, explains why he wanted to remain on GSX-R machinery.
Guy Martin (Tyco Suzuki by TAS Racing GSX-R 1000) says: “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 colors. 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 GP 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 win one!”
Philip Neill (Tyco Suzuki by TAS Racing Team Manager says: “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 lots of 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 with Conor on-board and now Guy, I think we have a strong team looking ahead to the three internationals. 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 work as hard as we can as a team 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 as I said before, along with Conor and our BSB duo of Seeley and Brookes, I feel it can be a successful season for Tyco Suzuki.”
