Road racing legend Phillip McCallen as hit out at Guy Martin following his comments that the North West 200 circuit is boring, saying the truck fitter should concentrate on finding the ten seconds he needs to catch the front men.

During a television interview after North West 200 Superstock qualifying Guy Martin launched into a rant about the track saying, “The North is boring, boring, boring. The chicanes were destroying the track and that his Tyco BMW is so good his granny could ride it in a straight line here.”

His comments set social media and tongues into overdrive the majority disagreeing with the TV and film character, who has never been shy of voicing his opinion on matters.

McCallen, an 11-time a North West winner hit back yesterday saying, “I have a lot of time for Guy, he is one of the sports characters. But in this instance he was wrong on every level with his timing and with his assertions. He had been out there giving it his all as he chases that elusive first win and was still ten seconds off the pace. He needs to ask himself why that is instead of blaming the track. A track is a track and presents the same challenge to everyone and while there are no chicanes at the TT he has never won there either.”

The organisers were not best pleased with the outburst, but did not want to speak openly about the matter instead having a quiet word with the team owners Phillip and Hector Neill.

Phillip Neill told bikesportnews.com: “Guy knows he was wrong, although he said it was not meant in any way to discredit the event and has told me he will make a full apology to the organisers.”