Martin plans BSB, Brands WSBK - EXCLUSIVE.
Crash.net
How did the Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha test go?
Steve Martin:
Yeah it was good, I was really impressed with the team and really impressed with the bike. I wouldn't call it a test I would call it... a few laps really round Donington Park in the lunch break really. I enjoyed it, I mean it is hard to say anything in an hour but the bike seemed to suit me quite well.
Crash.net
How did the Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha test go?
Steve Martin:
Yeah it was good, I was really impressed with the team and really impressed with the bike. I wouldn't call it a test I would call it... a few laps really round Donington Park in the lunch break really. I enjoyed it, I mean it is hard to say anything in an hour but the bike seemed to suit me quite well.
Crash.net
Is it true that you are coming to BSB?
SM:
At this stage it looks like I'll be doing the last four rounds, Croft, Cadwell, Donington Park and Brands Hatch Indy.
Crash.net
Have you experience of Croft or Cadwell?
SM:
No, but everyone that I've asked when I say I'm going to Cadwell they sort of go 'uuummm' so I don't know. I'm going to try and have a bit of a look at the circuit and do the best job I can and obviously it will take me a little time to get used to the team and the bike. I hope that by Donington and Brands I will be able to show what I can do and use the first two to limber up I suppose.
Crash.net
You are also taking part in Suzuka, who is that with?
SM:
I'm riding for Yamaha Austria. I'm on a bit of a Yamaha theme at the moment, nothing deliberate but the guy at Yamaha Austria kept on ringing me up saying 'Come to Suzuka, come to Suzuka'. I didn't really want to go I didn't really feel like it. Then he said 'I'll buy your little lad a PeeWee 50', so when he said that I thought 'Oh alright!' So I'm going to Suzuka to do the Eight Hour with Yamaha Austria Racing team. They are quite a good team and it is a bit of fun for me really but I know I will take it seriously .
Crash.net
Have you any plans to return to WSBK?
SM:
Yes, as a matter of fact I'm planning to be racing at Brands Hatch with Yamaha France. So I'm racing an R1 at Brands in a couple of week's time, with a bit of a twist I'm going to have one bike that is Yamaha France and one that is a Virgin Yamaha Mobile bike. It is going to be interesting as I'm going to have two lots of mechanics working on the bikes. They want to see how their bikes compare, bit of a war of the bikes I suppose. I'm really looking forward to it because they are going to be pushing themselves to make the best bike that they can for me on each side of the garage. I'm going to do my damnedest to go well at Brands and I do go well at Brands.
Crash.net
What are you doing at Brno?
SM:
I'm doing some commentating with Jonathan Green, this is probably my last time as Scott Smart will be back for the last four races. It is part of the year that I have really enjoyed, I don't know if I can commentate any good. When I left DFX halfway through the year I didn't know that it was going to be one of the best years I've had. A bit of this and a bit of that and I'm doing things that I enjoy doing and sometimes when you have that attitude it can only help you in life and you ride better anyway.
