RE: Guy Martin joins Honda Racing for 2017 TT

[bigmowley]

D200 said:

I really hope they are both competitive and on are the pace but I think neither of them is going to win unless Michael Dunlop and Ian Hutchinson both don’t finish – as they are simply much faster than John and Guy – Dunlop and Hutchy are in a class of their own.

But it will be very interesting to see how Guy competes with John.

John is still competitive for podiums but a finished a long way behind both Dunlop and Hutchinson in the Superbike races in 2016 [i.e. a full minute] so I think his best is definitely past him

I guess it boils down to how good the works Honda will be, if they throw money at it and it’s the best bike on the circuit then they have a chance winning

What would be even more interesting is if Honda also signed Michael Dunlop as he hasn’t announced who he is riding for

Hold on there! John is defo not passed it. The BMW was awesome last year, nobody got close, but John still beat all the rest in a good scrap for third in the Senior. The new blade needs to be on the pace of the BMW and then it will get fun.
The TT is one of the few Motorsport events where experience counts for so much more than raw speed/talent that's why it's so absorbing.

[scunnylad]

Listen to this clip,sure he says they have offered him a Ten Kate 600

https://youtu.be/Iyc0Wtd8p0c

[Chicken Chaser]

Interesting pairing. Did McGuinness not criticise Guy questioning his dedication when running off doing all the TV?

Either way, should be an interesting year. I dont think John is in any way finished, he's still a mega competitive hungry racer despite his advancing years. As its been mentioned, the Blade was long in the tooth, which may have factored into the poor finishing last year. It will be equally as interesting to see whether Guy has the fire in his belly again for a crack at the top step.

[D200]

bigmowley said:

Hold on there! John is defo not passed it. The BMW was awesome last year, nobody got close, but John still beat all the rest in a good scrap for third in the Senior. The new blade needs to be on the pace of the BMW and then it will get fun.
The TT is one of the few Motorsport events where experience counts for so much more than raw speed/talent that's why it's so absorbing.

I did not say John is past it.

He is past his best. Still up there but if you ask him yourself and he will tell you the same.

I like him and guy and would like to see them win but I can't see either of them beat md or hutchy

[graham22]

I think Tuxworth will be the key here, as much as he comes across smug, I think he could give Guy enough slack but at the same time keep him motivated doing the training/practice as well as doing just enough corporate stuff and get the results he, GM & Honda are looking for.

He (Neil Tuxworth) did the same with Joey who also wasn't keen on his non-riding duties.

As much as I like Guy, was aware of him before his fame, I can't help but feel he comes across as a little hypocritical - shying away from publicity yet releasing books & appearing on TV. He just needs to embrace the fact he is now a celebrity more than a lorry mechanic and to stop bleating this argument.

Looking forward to seeing him at the Southern 100, that will be close racing when you throw in some of the mass start specialists.

[zeb]

3yardy3 said:

Why? one of the factors towards why McGuiness is a legend is because he always wants to continue breaking records and riding... regarding Guy, the tv personality factor is only going to help bring in a new audience to road racing and the Isle of man TT.

Because Robert and Joey Dunlop came back once to often. At Johns age your reactions simply are not as good (I can vouch for this personally!!)

You make a good point about Martin and the TV exposure though and i'm sure it will be a positive thing. Quite happy to eat my words but I still can't see him winning there are half a dozen riders who are consistantly quicker and one or two who are about to be IMHO.

[Tom Logan]

zeb said:

3yardy3 said:

Why? one of the factors towards why McGuiness is a legend is because he always wants to continue breaking records and riding... regarding Guy, the tv personality factor is only going to help bring in a new audience to road racing and the Isle of man TT.

Because Robert and Joey Dunlop came back once to often. At Johns age your reactions simply are not as good (I can vouch for this personally!!)

You make a good point about Martin and the TV exposure though and i'm sure it will be a positive thing. Quite happy to eat my words but I still can't see him winning there are half a dozen riders who are consistantly quicker and one or two who are about to be IMHO.

I think McGuinness won't retire, he's out to beat Joey's number of wins, I doubt he'll do it as he's a bit long in the tooth but good luck to him anyway.

Guy Martin needs to renew his mountain licence so needs 6 international meetings for that, BSB perhaps.

Good luck to both, 2 class acts.

[ewant81]

curlie467 said:

jamespink said:

I think this is great for the sport in many ways but it must be like partnering with Senna... Where are you going to be placed even on a good day?

Eh?

Hopefully out of the wall? Particularly important at the TT I would've thought.

[Gunk]

I think it's great for the sport as previous posters have commented it will bring new fans to the TT and road racing which has to be good for the sport. It's an interesting and flamboyant partnership, which I'm sure will deliver some real excitement, and some very close racing. Add Dunlop and Hutchy into the mix and 2017 could be a vintage year.

[Ho Lee Kau]

zeb said:

... John is a legend and has nothing to prove....

NOT true, now he has LOTS to prove, namely that he is THE biggest legend of TT. He is only 3 wins away from Dunlop, after that he is The Legend and probably one for as long as TT will exist.
McGuinness has to keep on riding and better than ever to boot.

[Red 4]

zeb said:

Because Robert and Joey Dunlop came back once to often. At Johns age your reactions simply are not as good (I can vouch for this personally!!)

I don't really see your point here.

Joey Dunlop died in 2000 whilst racing in Estonia. He had 3 TT wins the same year (ultra lightweight, 250 cc and Formula 1 TT - and came third in the Senior).

Joey's death was a tragedy (and was contributed to by a poor tyre choice/ changing weather in Estonia and possibly his state of mind due to the very recent suicide of a close friend) but his reactions/ pace/ skill certainly weren't in question that year judging by his TT successes.

Robert Dunlop's death was due to mechanical failure - the bike seized during practice at The North West 200 at over 160 MPH.

"Slower reactions" were not a factor in Joey's or Robert's deaths.

[robinh73]

Red 4 said:

zeb said:

Because Robert and Joey Dunlop came back once to often. At Johns age your reactions simply are not as good (I can vouch for this personally!!)

I don't really see your point here.

Joey Dunlop died in 2000 whilst racing in Estonia. He had 3 TT wins the same year (ultra lightweight, 250 cc and Formula 1 TT - and came third in the Senior).

Joey's death was a tragedy (and was contributed to by a poor tyre choice/ changing weather in Estonia and possibly his state of mind due to the very recent suicide of a close friend) but his reactions/ pace/ skill certainly weren't in question that year judging by his TT successes.

Robert Dunlop's death was due to mechanical failure - the bike seized during practice at The North West 200 at over 160 MPH.

"Slower reactions" were not a factor in Joey's or Robert's deaths.

As you rightly say, age had nothing to do with the deaths of Joey or Robert. Age doesn't play as big a part in road racing as many people think. Look at Bruce Anstey as well as John McGuiness.....would you bet against either of them? Look how Michael Dunlop has come on with age. On the roads, the older you get, the more the experience counts in your favour rather than age being against you. I have done quite a few road races over the last few years and whilst I am nowhere near the pace of the top lads, my experience does come into play over some of the younger lads who go out guns blazing. It is a different kettle of fish on short circuits where a younger rider will generally be more likely to score podiums than a rider in his mid 40s.

[ZX10R NIN]

I hate to say this as I like Mcpint but I do feel that if he matches/beats Joeys record by winning TT Zero races because in my personal opinion these shouldn't count towards the record, Once they're doing two laps then yes it should count
towards any riders win tally.

Joey's record wasn't set with any one lap races.

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

I hate to say this as I like Mcpint but I do feel that if he matches/beats Joeys record by winning TT Zero races because in my personal opinion these shouldn't count towards the record, Once they're doing two laps then yes it should count
towards any riders win tally.

Joey's record wasn't set with any one lap races.

I know what you mean. A win is a win, but with the zero races, it does seem a bit of a weak win in comparison to a 4 or 6 lap race win.

[Tango13]

The TT Zero needs to be increased in length not only to give it more credibility but to push the technology forwards as well.

Manufacturers would have to improve the battery life or develop some sort of quick change mechanism for swapping them over, both of which would be needed if electric bikes were to become mainstream for road use.

[Fonz]

With TT Zero it is not the length of the race but the lack of credible works opposition, or any opposition at all. If McPint’s TTZ wins had come against MD and Hutchinson on BMW’s would we be having the conversation?

I actually feel disappointed with BMW with all their road car tech for zero emission vehicles that they do not put an entry into the TTZ event. TTZ should be a great addition for the major manufactures that visit the island but is being squandered.

[ZX10R NIN]

No the length is a big factor to 2-4 laps would make those wins a lot more credible in my eyes, I agree the lack of competition is another factor.

Take those two Zero TT wins off & he's 5 away at which point I see him struggling to beat that record with MD IH DH in the way, I don't think for one second he's not capable he's raised his game many times before but I think the Honda might let him down this year with not quite being there & with updates coming next year it'll be tough.

[smifffymoto]

I prefer the zero than the thought of an ultra lightweight wedge between the arse cheeks of the Morecombe missile.
Rules and classes change,it's progress but it is also relevance.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Can't be arsed to read all this is guy defiantly doing this ?

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

I'm excited by this news! I wonder if Guy will learn things of McGuiness, and in turn get McGuiness to do some cycling. If McGuiness was 5 or 10kg lighter it might make a difference....

Either way - good luck to them and all the rest!