Mick Grant (born 10 July 1944) is an English former professional motorcycle road racer and TT rider. A works-supported rider for Norton, Kawasaki, Honda and Suzuki, he is a seven-time winner of the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race on various makes, including 'Slippery Sam', a three-cylinder TriumphTrident.[1] The son of a coal miner, the soft-spoken, down-to-earth Yorkshireman from Wakefield, was a sharp contrast to the brash, playboy image presented by Londoner Barry Sheene during the 1970s.[2]
Mick Grant
Mick Grant at Parliament Square, Ramsey, Isle of Man demonstrating a 1980s Suzuki during a Classic Parade in 2007
Grant began his racing career as a privateer, entering his first Manx Grand Prix in 1969 on a Velocette 500 cc, and his first TT in the following year, again using the Velocette and placing 18th in the Junior (350 cc) class on a Lee-sponsored Yamaha TD2.[3][4]
Later supported by businesses including Clive Padgett, heading Padgetts of Batley, on TD2 250 cc and TR2 350 cc Yamahas, and Brian Davidson of John Davidson Group on TZ Yamahas,[5] he was equally versatile on either two- or four-stroke machines.
In 1974, Grant was the chosen rider for the then-new, UK-based Boyer Kawasaki Racing Team, based on two air-cooled triples. Stan Shenton, head of motorcycle business Boyer of Bromley, previously having a long background of racing Triumphs, was Team principal. They were one of a selected network of regional Kawasaki dealers, part of a controlled expansion and roll-out to establish a UK dealer-network. As part of the development process, Grant's racing included Ontario, California in late 1974.[10]
Grant enroute to victory at the 1977 250cc Dutch TT.
In 1975, Grant completed the first-ever 120 mph lap of the North West 200 circuit.[11] Also in 1975, it was Grant who finally broke Mike Hailwood's absolute TT lap record for the Isle of Man Snaefell mountain course, set in 1967 on a 500 Honda,[12] raising the average-speed of one lap to 109.82 mph on a Kawasaki KR750 two-stroke triple entered by the Boyer team and Stan Shenton.[4][13] Although Grant failed to finish the race, retiring at the Gooseneck with a broken chain caused by a mis-aligned rear wheel spindle,[14] he won the 500 cc Senior TT race.[15] In 1977, Grant raised the lap record to 112.77 mph, again on a 750 cc Kawasaki.[14]
He usually raced with number 10 and carried the initials JL on his helmet, even after retirement from competition, as a tribute to his early sponsor – mechanic, fabricator and frame-builder Jim Lee of the 'Dalesman' marque.[4][12][18][19]
^ abMick Grant career profile at the Isle of Man TT web site
^Barker, Stuart (2003). Barry Sheene 1950–2003: The Biography. UK: CollinsWillow. p. 148. ISBN0-00-716181-6.
^[1] TT Official site, Mick Grant TT and MGP results. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
^ abc[2] Silverstone GP programme 1975, competitor profile by MCN's Norrie Whyte. Retrieved 14 February 2014
^Motorcycle Mechanics, November 1973, p.56/57. Mick's Giant Killer.Yamaha TZ350 track impressions by Charles Deane. "...Mick Grant kindly brought his race wagon complete with a brace of Yamahas to Snetterton..." "You'll find she's much more flexible than the two-fifty...". Accessed 25 July 2013
^Motorcycle Mechanics, March 1972, p.26. Frank Perris interview Accessed 14 February 2014
^[3] Southampton and District Motor Cycle Club Thruxton 500 Race Results Retrieved 1 January 2014
^[4] IOM TT Database 1973 F750 TT race results Retrieved 1 January 2014
^Motorcycle Mechanics, December 1974, centrepage MCM Superstars Mick Grant. "Kawasaki's No,1 rider of the Boyer prepared 750H2R, he regularly storms to success on the John Davidson Yamahas in the 250 and 350 classes...Mick Grant must make an even greater impact for Kawasaki next year". Accessed 1 January 2014
^Inside the Hundred-Horsepower Race Teams, Bike, October 1975 pp.32-39 by Jim Greening. Accessed 21 May 2016
^Wain, Phil (2020), "The North West; A History", Classic Racer, Mortons Motorcycle Media Ltd, ISSN 1470-4463, Despite being reduced to just over nine miles, speeds were continuing to rise at an alarming rate and whilst the first 110 mph lap was recorded in 1973 by Tony Rutter, it only took two more years before the 120 mph barrier was broken, Mick Grant on the factory Kawasaki lapping at a staggering 122.62 mph on his way to victory in the main Superbike race ahead of team-mate Barry Ditchburn.
^ abMcDiarmid, Mac (2004). The Magic of the TT: A Century of Racing over the Mountain. UK: Haynes. p. 121. ISBN1-84425-002-4.
^[5] TT Official site, 1975 races overview. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
^ abTT '78 A Motorcycle News Special. p.42, section writer Peter Howdle. Accessed 25 May 2016
^[6] TT Official site, 1975 Senior race result. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
^Motor Cycle 19 August 1966, p.207 Orpin's latest flyer by David J Dixon. "The new frame, built specially for Peter Williams by ace welder Jim Lee of Leeds..." Accessed and added 26 December 2014
mick, grant, other, people, named, michael, grant, michael, grant, disambiguation, born, july, 1944, english, former, professional, motorcycle, road, racer, rider, works, supported, rider, norton, kawasaki, honda, suzuki, seven, time, winner, isle, motorcycle,. For other people named Michael Grant see Michael Grant disambiguation Mick Grant born 10 July 1944 is an English former professional motorcycle road racer and TT rider A works supported rider for Norton Kawasaki Honda and Suzuki he is a seven time winner of the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race on various makes including Slippery Sam a three cylinder Triumph Trident 1 The son of a coal miner the soft spoken down to earth Yorkshireman from Wakefield was a sharp contrast to the brash playboy image presented by Londoner Barry Sheene during the 1970s 2 Mick GrantMick Grant at Parliament Square Ramsey Isle of Man demonstrating a 1980s Suzuki during a Classic Parade in 2007NationalityBritishBorn 1944 07 10 10 July 1944 age 79 Motorcycle racing career statisticsGrand Prix motorcycle racingActive years1970 1984First race1970 350cc Isle of Man TTLast race1984 500cc British Grand PrixFirst win1975 500cc Isle of Man TTLast win1977 250cc Swedish Grand PrixTeam s Kawasaki HondaStarts Wins Podiums Poles F laps Points25 3 9 1 4 143Isle of Man TT careerTTs contested16 1970 1985 TT wins7First TT win1974 Production 750 TTLast TT win1985 Production 750 TTTT podiums16Race career editGrant began his racing career as a privateer entering his first Manx Grand Prix in 1969 on a Velocette 500 cc and his first TT in the following year again using the Velocette and placing 18th in the Junior 350 cc class on a Lee sponsored Yamaha TD2 3 4 Later supported by businesses including Clive Padgett heading Padgetts of Batley on TD2 250 cc and TR2 350 cc Yamahas and Brian Davidson of John Davidson Group on TZ Yamahas 5 he was equally versatile on either two or four stroke machines nbsp Grant racing in the 1975 North West 200 in Portrush He quickly became a works Norton rider alongside Peter Williams and Phil Read part of the first Norton factory team since the Norton race shop was disbanded in 1962 headed by ex racer Frank Perris 6 In 1972 he teamed with Dave Croxford to win the Thruxton 500 endurance race on a 745 cc Norton Commando 7 and finished second to Williams in the 1973 F750 TT 8 9 In 1974 Grant was the chosen rider for the then new UK based Boyer Kawasaki Racing Team based on two air cooled triples Stan Shenton head of motorcycle business Boyer of Bromley previously having a long background of racing Triumphs was Team principal They were one of a selected network of regional Kawasaki dealers part of a controlled expansion and roll out to establish a UK dealer network As part of the development process Grant s racing included Ontario California in late 1974 10 nbsp Grant enroute to victory at the 1977 250cc Dutch TT In 1975 Grant completed the first ever 120 mph lap of the North West 200 circuit 11 Also in 1975 it was Grant who finally broke Mike Hailwood s absolute TT lap record for the Isle of Man Snaefell mountain course set in 1967 on a 500 Honda 12 raising the average speed of one lap to 109 82 mph on a Kawasaki KR750 two stroke triple entered by the Boyer team and Stan Shenton 4 13 Although Grant failed to finish the race retiring at the Gooseneck with a broken chain caused by a mis aligned rear wheel spindle 14 he won the 500 cc Senior TT race 15 In 1977 Grant raised the lap record to 112 77 mph again on a 750 cc Kawasaki 14 nbsp Mick Grant demonstrating a Kawasaki in 2009 Grant raced in the Grand Prix motorcycle racing circuit in 1977 for the Kawasaki factory team alongside teammate Barry Ditchburn and the following year with Kork Ballington and Gregg Hansford 16 In 1979 Honda chose Grant to help develop their exotic oval cylindered NR500 unfortunately with disappointing results 17 Grant also won the Macau Grand Prix in 1977 on the Kawasaki KR750 and again in 1984 riding a Heron Suzuki He usually raced with number 10 and carried the initials JL on his helmet even after retirement from competition as a tribute to his early sponsor mechanic fabricator and frame builder Jim Lee of the Dalesman marque 4 12 18 19 Grand Prix motorcycle racing results 1 16 editPoints system from 1969 onwards Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Points 15 12 10 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 key Races in bold indicate pole position races in italics indicate fastest lap Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Points Rank Wins 1970 350cc Yamaha GER YUG IOM18 NED DDR CZE FIN ULS NAT ESP 0 0 500cc Velocette GER FRA YUG IOMNC NED BEL DDR FIN ULS NAT ESP 0 0 1971 350cc Yamaha AUT GER IOM7 NED DDR CZE SWE FIN ULS NAT ESP 4 36th 0 1972 250cc Yamaha GER FRA AUT NAT IOMNC YUG NED BEL DDR CZE SWE FIN ESP 0 0 350cc Yamaha GER FRA AUT NAT IOM3 YUG NED DDR CZE SWE FIN ESP 10 17th 0 500cc Kawasaki GER FRA AUT NAT IOM3 YUG NED BEL DDR CZE SWE FIN ESP 10 17th 0 1973 250cc Yamaha FRA AUT GER10 IOM YUG NED4 BEL CZE SWE FIN ESP 9 23rd 0 350cc Yamaha FRA AUT GER NAT9 IOMNC YUG NED9 CZE SWE6 FIN ESP 9 22nd 0 500cc Yamaha FRA AUT GER IOMNC YUG NED BEL CZE SWE FIN ESP 0 0 1974 250cc Yamaha GER NAT IOM2 NED10 BEL SWE6 FIN CZE YUG ESP 18 10th 0 350cc Yamaha FRA GER AUT NAT IOM2 NED SWE5 FIN YUG ESP 18 11th 0 500cc Yamaha FRA GER AUT NAT IOMNC NED BEL SWE FIN CZE 0 0 1975 250cc Kawasaki FRA ESP GER NAT IOMNC NED BEL SWE FIN CZE YUG 0 0 500cc Kawasaki FRA ESP AUT GER NAT IOM1 NED BEL SWE FIN CZE YUG 15 14th 1 1976 500cc Kawasaki FRA AUT NAT IOMNC NED BEL SWE FIN CZE GER 0 0 1977 250cc Kawasaki VEN GER NAT ESP FRA YUG NED1 BEL14 SWE1 FIN2 CZE GBR 42 8th 2 1978 250cc Kawasaki VEN ESP6 FRA NAT NED BEL SWE FIN7 GBR4 GER CZE YUG 17 14th 0 350cc Kawasaki VEN AUT FRA NAT NED7 SWE9 FIN GBR3 GER CZE YUG 16 14th 0 1979 500cc Suzuki VEN AUT10 GER NAT ESP YUG NED BEL SWE FIN 1 35th 0 Honda GBRNC FRA 1984 500cc Suzuki RSA NAT ESP AUT GER FRA YUG NED BEL GBR17 SWE RSM 0 0References edit a b Mick Grant career profile at the Isle of Man TT web site Barker Stuart 2003 Barry Sheene 1950 2003 The Biography UK CollinsWillow p 148 ISBN 0 00 716181 6 1 TT Official site Mick Grant TT and MGP results Retrieved 14 February 2014 a b c 2 Silverstone GP programme 1975 competitor profile by MCN s Norrie Whyte Retrieved 14 February 2014 Motorcycle Mechanics November 1973 p 56 57 Mick s Giant Killer Yamaha TZ350 track impressions by Charles Deane Mick Grant kindly brought his race wagon complete with a brace of Yamahas to Snetterton You ll find she s much more flexible than the two fifty Accessed 25 July 2013 Motorcycle Mechanics March 1972 p 26 Frank Perris interview Accessed 14 February 2014 3 Southampton and District Motor Cycle Club Thruxton 500 Race Results Retrieved 1 January 2014 4 IOM TT Database 1973 F750 TT race results Retrieved 1 January 2014 Motorcycle Mechanics December 1974 centrepage MCM Superstars Mick Grant Kawasaki s No 1 rider of the Boyer prepared 750H2R he regularly storms to success on the John Davidson Yamahas in the 250 and 350 classes Mick Grant must make an even greater impact for Kawasaki next year Accessed 1 January 2014 Inside the Hundred Horsepower Race Teams Bike October 1975 pp 32 39 by Jim Greening Accessed 21 May 2016 Wain Phil 2020 The North West A History Classic Racer Mortons Motorcycle Media Ltd ISSN 1470 4463 Despite being reduced to just over nine miles speeds were continuing to rise at an alarming rate and whilst the first 110 mph lap was recorded in 1973 by Tony Rutter it only took two more years before the 120 mph barrier was broken Mick Grant on the factory Kawasaki lapping at a staggering 122 62 mph on his way to victory in the main Superbike race ahead of team mate Barry Ditchburn a b McDiarmid Mac 2004 The Magic of the TT A Century of Racing over the Mountain UK Haynes p 121 ISBN 1 84425 002 4 5 TT Official site 1975 races overview Retrieved 21 July 2013 a b TT 78 A Motorcycle News Special p 42 section writer Peter Howdle Accessed 25 May 2016 6 TT Official site 1975 Senior race result Retrieved 21 May 2016 a b Mick Grant career statistics at MotoGP com Mick Grant at world honda com Motor Cycle 19 August 1966 p 207 Orpin s latest flyer by David J Dixon The new frame built specially for Peter Williams by ace welder Jim Lee of Leeds Accessed and added 26 December 2014 Dalesman Retrieved 27 December 2014 Sporting positions Preceded byChas Mortimer Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Winner1977 Succeeded bySadao Asami Preceded byRon Haslam Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix Winner1984 Succeeded byRon Haslam Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mick Grant amp oldid 1194001932, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
