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Martin Saint is one of the most intense pipe
design builders in the ATV industry today. In
his past few years, he has been one of the most
consistently excellent two-stroke pipe builders
and competitors in the drag racing scene.
Martin Saint took some time out to sit down
and talk to ATV Source. Here is what Martin
Saint had to say.
ATV Source:
Why are you moving here to the United States?
Martin Saint:
It’s down to one thing basically, opportunity’s.
Europe has no ATV drag racing in any form at
the moment. The US has far more in the way of
engine based sports that people compete with.
ATV Source:
Now that you are over here, what are your goals
and what do you plan on bringing to the ATV
world?
Martin Saint:
The main goal is to provide the most professional
approachable performance company possible. Everyone
is guaranteed the best possible products for
their ride, at the right price and delivery.
We want to set records with the shop bikes and
help customers set records as well.
I think the ATV world is ready for some new
ideas and conceptions. Drag racing in particular.
I have things to learn about sand racing, but
it will not take me long.
Hill racing fascinates me. I’ve not witnessed
it yet but I’m sure it will not be long.
ATV Source:
How did the partnership with Mike evolve and
why?
Martin Saint:
Simple chat to start with. Lots of guys ask
me questions and I’m sure all of them will say,
they have had beneficial answers. Mike asked
some very searching questions that kind of intrigued
me. I knew he was a dedicated racer and it grew
from there. I managed a visit to Michigan in
February and things snowballed from there.
ATV Source:
What is your educational background?
Martin Saint:
School until 16 years old. Then apprentice tool
and die maker in the auto manufacturing industry
whilst attending collage. Left collage with
a HND (Degree) in plant production. Then went
to University for 4 years and gained two first
class honors degree’s in Fluid mechanics and
thermodynamics (how engines work basically).
Whilst working I have continued my education
and now have a Masters Degree in thermodynamics.
If I was not so busy I would probably try for
my PHD but it would just eat up all my time.
ATV Source:
What is your work history?
Martin Saint:
Well after leaving school I was apprenticed
as a tool and die maker, then whilst at university
I started a small engine shop called SRE ( Stealth
Racing Engines) to supplement my road racing
at the time. I then worked for a large Hydraulics
company designing systems and specialist valves
some of which where used in the high end motor
sports arena. This led to several contract jobs
for various F1 teams. SRE in the mean time progressed
into Stealth Engineering as still a part time
consultancy service for engine design and test.
Pipe design became one of the big issues and
its grown from there.
ATV Source:
We all know the results of the Hallucinogen
pipes so far, what can we expect out of pipes
for the other 2 strokes on the market?
Martin Saint:
The Hallucinogen’s where done to prove a point.
They went from design to manufacture and straight
to world record with out any testing or modification
of the design.
All other pipes will be of the same caliber.
I design all the pipes based on lots of previous
knowledge and some special software. I do not
design peaky engines but firmly believe that
a good wide torque spread is essential even
for drag racing. Most people cannot believe
the torque curves produced or the results that
this gives you.
ATV Source:
Do you plan on getting into producing pipes
for 4-Strokes?
Martin Saint:
It’s a possibility for the future. 4-Stroke
pipes are far easier to design but still provide
a challenge. I think we will see some nice designs
in the future. Some could be stealth designs.
ATV Source:
What other projects are you working on for ATV’s?
Martin Saint:
LOL, lots hehe. New chassis designs, A-arms
and swing arms. New intake designs in conjunction
with Patriot Racing. And a few “trick” bits
still in development.
ATV Source:
Do you plan on doing just design work and then
have an outside source do the manufacturing
or is everything going to be kept in house?
Martin Saint:
Being very much a “hands on” engineer I like
to build what I design. I also like to keep
control of the manufacturing process. We intend
keeping as much in house as possible. Obviously
as we grow we may need to subcontract some of
the manufacture but that’s not on the cards
at the moment. At any race meeting you will
see me arms deep in engines trying to get the
best out of them.
ATV Source:
Do you have much experience racing ATV’s or
is it mostly bikes?
Martin Saint:
I have some experience racing ATV’s but not
drag racing them. It’s been the bikes mainly
but I do have car experience as well.
In the end I’m just an acceleration junky. If
I can go fast then that’s all that matters.
ATV Source wants to thank Martin Saint for taking
time out of his busy schedule to sit down with
us and talk. Good luck in all future business
ventures.
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