Hydrex Honda's Guy Martin warmed up for next week's Ulster Grand Prix in fine style with three top four finishes at the inaugural Armoy Road Race meeting. Held on the outskirts of the town made famous by the legendary 'Armoy Armada' of Joey and Jim Dunlop, Mervyn Robinson and Frank Kennedy, the Hydrex Honda ace posted a best finish of second in the Open race whilst he also enjoyed a rare 250cc outing.
With the track being new to everyone, practice was untimed and the grid decided by championship positions but this time Martin was placed on the back of the first wave for each race, rather than the second wave like at Kells.
First up was the Supersport 600cc race and Martin made a steady start to race day with a solid fourth as he used the race to gain valuable track time. In the Open race, a sluggish start saw him stuck mid-pack and by the time he'd overhauled Michael Dunlop, race leader Ryan Farquhar was too far ahead and although he initially reduced the gap, Farquhar responded and Martin had to settle for second five seconds adrift.
Martin then took third in the 250cc race, only three seconds behind race winner Michael Dunlop and then with a strong start in the Grand Final, he was sitting right on the tail of Farquhar when the red flag came out on the 2nd lap. Sadly, the meeting was subsequently abandoned as the crash that had occurred resulted in a spectator tragically losing his life.
"First of all, can I express my sympathy to the family and friends of the spectator who sadly got killed today. We all know the risks of road racing, both riders and spectators, but it's put a real dampener on what had been, up until then, a really good day," said Martin.
"The course was absolutely mega, one of the best I've ever ridden, and it has without doubt the fastest corner in road racing - quicker than Gorse Lea at the TT, quicker than Budore at the Ulster, quicker than anywhere!"
"I'd go as far as to say it's the manliest course on the calendar and contains a bit of allsorts, which is what road racing's all about, although the back section is really tricky as you have to time the jumps exactly right otherwise you'll land in a field rather than on the track! I really enjoyed the outing on the 250 Honda and even though the old girl was 11 years old I loved it.
"In the big bike race, I made a mess of the start and then got stuck behind Michael for too long but in the Grand Final, I was right with Ryan and felt really comfortable so who knows what would have happened. I'm really looking forward to the Ulster now so let's hope the weather holds and we all get a good run this year."
The Ulster Grand Prix is Martin's next meeting with the event taking place from August 12-15.
