Guy Martin
Martin was born on 4 November 1981 in a suburb of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England. He was named Guy in tribute to Guy Gibson of No. 617 Squadron RAF. His father Ian was a successful privateer motorbike racer who had competed in several Isle of Man TT events, but he was forced to supplement his income with a job as a lorry mechanic, additionally selling bikes. His mother, Rita Kidals, was of Latvian heritage, her father having come to Britain in 1947 as a political refugee. Soon after Martin's birth, the family moved to a house outside the town, where they remained, having four children in total.
Guy Martin
His best friend is Johnny Ellis, who has also been one of his race-mechanics at various times during his career. Although Ellis and Martin had attended the same school, Vale Academy, both being in the same year, they had not been close, Martin observing he was a "bit flash" when he once turned up at school on a motorbike. Their friendship developed after Martin joined John Hebb Volvo, where Ellis worked; both being keen to work on trucks during their free time outside school, never knowing their mutual interest.