Guy Martin to race Cookstown

Guy Martin will make his debut on the roads in Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing livery at the Cookstown 100, Northern Ireland’s opening road race of the season on April 29 & 30.

The event will be used as a North West 200 shakedown for the Lincolnshire man, who hasn’t raced at the County Tyrone circuit since 2005.

He will ride his GSX-R600 and GSX-R1000 Superstock machines at the event.
Martin will race this weekend at Brands Hatch in the opening round of the British Superbike Championship before setting sail to Northern Ireland, where he is sure to receive a warm welcome.

Martin said: “I’m looking forward to Brands but it’s hard to beat a bit of pure road racing. We’ve had plenty of testing time, but yeah… there’s nothing like a bit of racing to get you ready for the real thing.

“This will give us a chance to try the bikes out on a road circuit, which at the end of the day is where we intend racing them. I haven’t been at Cookstown for quite some time but it’s only a little circuit so we’ll be spot on.”

Team ownr Philip Neill added: “The organisers and local fans are very enthusiastic about the Cookstown 100 and with our team based just up the road in Moneymore, it’ll do us no harm to show them a bit of support.

“We always try to make an effort and go there when circumstances allow, and even though it clashes with Oulton Park BSB we will work around it.

“It’s always beneficial to get out on a road circuit before the North West 200, but with Guy being a relative newcomer to Cookstown, we will be realistic with our expectations.”