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
Martin attended Kirmington Church of England Primary School and The Vale Academy school, leaving at age 16. He then enrolled in North Lindsey College on a motor vehicle engineering course, believing at the time that it was appropriate as further education was what everybody did. He quickly realised it was not for him – he was not being paid and was being taught things he either already knew, or thought would never need, and so decided to leave after a month, having secured an apprenticeship as a truck fitter with a Volvo centre, John Hebb Volvo.