Mixed feelings for Guy Martin on Macau GP début

Guy Martin claimed twelfth place at last weekend’s Macau Grand Prix, his début appearance at the 3.8-mile circuit, and left the Chinese colony with mixed feelings.

Riding the Barron Transport Suzuki, the Kirmington youngster, by his own admission, failed to completely get to grips with the armco-lined circuit, and was disappointed not to make the top ten. Nevertheless, twelfth was no mean achievement, and Guy thoroughly enjoyed the whole week’s experience.

Back on the Superstock-spec Suzuki for the first time since Cadwell Park in August, Guy took things steady in the first free practice session, concentrating on learning the circuit and gradually building himself up to speed. When Thursday’s first qualifying got underway, he was able to reduce his lap times and, by the end of the session, a time of 2m35.922secs had moved him up the grid to 16th place. With another 45-minute session to go, he was confident of climbing even further up the field, but this would prove to be the way in which the grid would line up as Friday’s second qualifying session was delayed by earlier problems in the Touring Car session. With the circuit not in fit enough condition for full qualifying, a 30-minute un-timed session was held so only the times from Thursday counted.

Guy made a lightning start from the fourth row of the grid, and was up to a fantastic fourth place by the time the riders had reached the Lisboa Hairpin. However, that would prove to be as good as it got for the 24-year-old, and from that moment on, he began to slip back down the order. Knowing he couldn’t go quicker than those riders around him, he wisely stuck to his own pace and let the quicker riders through. Riding his own race, it proved to be relatively straightforward and uneventful for Guy, with no moments, and he crossed the line on his own at the end of the fifteen laps in a solid twelfth place. He had also managed to lap quicker in the race, and his fastest lap was a more than creditable 2m34.844secs.

Speaking after his first ever Macau Grand Prix experience, Guy commented: “It’s not the result I’d hoped for and, to be honest, I struggled to get to grips with the circuit. I don’t know why that was but it just didn’t happen for me, so it’s a bit disappointing. I got a fantastic start but it was clear I was holding the rest of the boys up, so I let them through one by one and did the best job that I could on the day.”

“Having said all that, it was a fantastic experience and the organisation was absolutely first class. We were looked after really well and I’m grateful for the opportunity - so thanks to everyone involved. All in all it’s been a great season, and I’d like to thank everyone for all their support during the year. I’m looking forward to the winter break now, so that I can recharge the batteries all ready for 2006.”