Guy Martin to make endurance debut

Tyco Suzuki star Guy Martin will make his endurance debut in a few weeks time, taking on the Honda TT Legends squad at the Le Mans 24hr race, the final race of the Endurance World Championship, with French Suzuki squad R2CL.

The Lincolnshire racer will make the road trip to Le Mans straight from the Gold Cup at Scarborough, where he will seek to defend the prestigious trophy that he has stamped his name on in recent years.

The Suzuki team, who currently sit fifth in the championship, finished fifth at the season-opening Bol d’Or 24hr race. Martin will join highly experienced teammates Guillaume Dietrich and Gwen Giabbani, both seasoned endurance competitors with multiple wins under their belts.

The deal was put together with the help of Suzuki UK and Martin’s Tyco Suzuki boss Philip Neill, after the Ulster Grand Prix triple winner had expressed an interest in competing in the championship, and the team have hinted that there is potential for more appearances if this one-off is a success.

On announcing the deal, Neill said “After Guy’s recent run of success at the Southern 100 and Ulster Grand Prix, we discussed the potential with Suzuki GB to have Guy involved with a Suzuki supported WEC programme.”

“Thankfully the task wasn’t too difficult to set up and an option with the R2CL team was instantly made available with the support of Suzuki France. At this stage it’s a one off appearance for Guy in WEC, however there is already sufficient interest in making this a permanent arrangement for Guy in 2014.”

In typical style, Martin said “Top job boy! I thought the job was done and dusted after Scarborough next weekend with the Tyco boys, so to get a chance to do some World Endurance racing down in France is mega. It’s something I always believed would be beneficial and a lot more interesting for me than general short circuit stuff. I’m mega chuffed and the drive to France should be a decent road trip.”