Guy Martin: “I’m not a bloody TV presenter… actually that’s a lie”

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Guy Martin jokingly protested being called a ‘TV presenter,’ despite actually hosting programs. He explained that for the past 17 years, he’s simply been talking to the director standing next to the camera – a method that’s worked well. However, he admits he’s uncomfortable speaking directly to the camera.

Now that he’s publishing ‘All the Medals Have Been Handed Out,’ the newest book in his popular series based on his life story – alongside other books connected to the TV shows he’s been on (though he hasn’t hosted them) – does he consider himself an author?

He sounds a little surprised, saying, “I’ve only written six books!” He explains that the publisher occasionally asks if he’s interested in writing another one, but he always asks what the topic should be. This latest book picks up where his previous one left off, about four years ago, and includes stories from his recent cycling adventures, his attempt at the Scott Trial, the TV shows he’s been involved with, and his high-speed work.

Martin is working on ‘Project 300,’ his goal to be the first rider to hit 300 miles per hour on a standard motorcycle, starting from a standstill. It’s important to understand this isn’t a paid position – it’s a personal challenge.

“I now work as a mechanic at a truck garage and help out on a farm,” the former motorcycle racer eventually shared. “I specialize in engine building. Actually, I was working on race engines in the workshop when you called – that’s pretty much what I do now.” At 44, he’s clearly a man of many talents, but also a great example of someone who lives life on his own terms and is successful doing it.

His ability to stay calm under pressure is likely what helped him achieve 17 podium finishes at the incredibly challenging Isle of Man TT. It also led to his decision to stop racing professionally. He explains that he raced because he was naturally good at it without needing to try too hard, but the sport became less frightening, which he considered dangerous. He realized that racing, especially on a demanding circuit like the Isle of Man TT, required complete focus, and he simply wasn’t engaged anymore after years of competition – he was just bored.

This helps explain why, starting in 2014, they’ve become so focused on breaking world speed records for unusual vehicles – things like tractors, soapbox cars, gravity sleds, and even motorcycles inside a vertical wall. This shift happened after they moved away from traditional professional racing.

He admits he doesn’t know which of his past stunts are still records. He thinks the Wall of Death might be one of them, but emphasizes it wasn’t about personal pride. He enjoys the difficulty of these dangerous feats – that’s the appeal. He acknowledges there’s a real risk involved, and a mistake could be fatal. This leads us to his current endeavor, Project 300.

A few years ago, I was competing in the North West 200 race in Northern Ireland. Another rider and engineer, Jarrod ‘Jack’ Frost, asked me to test a bike he’d built. I’d just finished racing a very powerful Suzuki GSX-R1000 – almost 200 horsepower – but this bike, built by a regular guy in his garage, had an incredible 500 horsepower.

Wow! This is truly life-changing. To reach 300 miles per hour over a mile, we’d need about two miles of paved road. At 120 mph, the acceleration is incredible – 2.2G, which is twice as fast as a Grand Prix motorcycle or a Formula One car. But it’s not just about the speed; the engineering behind it is what’s really amazing.

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The motorcycle is a heavily modified 2018 Suzuki Hayabusa, originally bought for £5,000, and now includes a turbocharger.

It’s crucial to develop a strong awareness of how things are working, especially when conditions become unstable. When a machine – or any complex system – starts to feel off, you need to be able to sense what’s happening and anticipate potential problems. While I’m skilled at recovering from mistakes, I also understand that pushing limits often comes with significant risk – those who consistently attempt extreme speed records rarely survive.

Doesn’t that worry him? He hesitated, then explained that while he can manage most aspects of the 300mph bike run, unexpected issues like a tire failure or a mechanical break could always occur – things he simply can’t predict or prevent.

I’m aware of all the challenges, but after doing this for so long, they don’t bother me. If they ever do, I’ll know it’s time to retire. Honestly, I’m looking forward to a day when I can just relax and enjoy doing absolutely nothing, though that day isn’t coming anytime soon.

  • All the Medals Have Been Handed Out by Guy Martin is available to buy now

Authors

Bill Borrows

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2026-06-08 19:05