2011 Isle of Man TT
Although he has yet to achieve his first Isle of Man TT victory, fan-favorite Guy Martin put in a stellar performance throughout the 2011 IOMTT, taking four out of five podium finishes.
Martin’s best IOMTT podium by far was second place in Friday’s PokerStars Senior TT race, which he finished 7.2 seconds behind winner John McGuinness (Honda TT Legends). The Relentless Suzuki by TAS rider piloted his GSX-R1000 to a best lap of 131.038 mph in the Senior TT.
When the six-lap Senior IOMTT began after a weather delay, Guy Martin lead the first two laps. But on the third lap McGuinness took the lead and went on to his 17th-career TT vwin.
When Guy Martin took second, it was his 13th IOMTT podium.
Guy Martin (Relentless Suzuki GSX-R1000 IOMTT) says: "I led the first couple of laps of a Senior TT so I can sleep happy tonight. We had great pit stops and I had the focus and drive, but that was as much as I could give out there today.
"I hit all my apexes, got on the throttle when I should have and the only places I lost time was late in the race passing backmarkers, as it took me a bit of time getting back up to speed. By heck I couldn’t believe the attention I got out there with people shouting and waving at me all around the circuit. I could actually hear it through my ear plugs!
"The job was really going all right and the bike never missed a beat so I’m a happy camper. I still haven’t won one. I’m trying, but I’m glad I was able to push John today and I’ll just have to come back next year and beat him won’t I?"
Philip Neill (Relentless Suzuki IOMTT Team Manager) says: "What a fantastic end to a very successful IOMTT for TAS Racing and all our sponsors. I would personally like to thank each and every one of our sponsors, as without their support we just would not be here. Our objective in racing is always to try and win, however this is the IOMTT and just to finish a race is an achievement in itself.
"So to come away with four podiums from five races and a second place in the Senior TT is very pleasing and testament to the effort put in by our whole team, the Suzuki machinery and of course Guy Martin himself.
"It was one of the most exciting and close Senior IOMTT races for some time and to hear the fans cheer for Guy when he was leading was unbelievable. Although it would have been great to have won, our consolation is a 131mph lap and being beaten by one of the greatest riders in TT history.
"We will now look forward to returning to our BSB campaign and selecting some further outings for Guy Martin later in the season. After that we can prepare for next year’s TT where we will work even harder at getting our hands on that Senior TT winner’s trophy."
2011 Isle of Man TT Senior TT: Martin’s Fastest Laps:
- Lap 1 – 131.038mph/ 17mins 16.55sec
- Lap 2 – 130.555mph/ 17mins 20.39sec
- Lap 4 – 129.974mph/ 17mins 25.04sec
- Lap 6 – 130.803mph/ 17mins 18.41sec
