MICK GRANT

A life at 100%

A MAN FOR THE IOM

Mick’s Mountain course debut was at the Manx GP in 1969 on his Velocette 500 (he has one in his shed now, for summer jaunts). This shot is from the 1971 Junior TT, with Mick riding a Jim Lee Yamaha. He showed promise, coming seventh.

HONING HIS SKILLS

This is Mick on his Jim Lee TZ250 at Cadwell Park in 1972. Mick has fond memories of the days before he got factory rides – with no corporate duties, he was free to enter races wherever he wanted, heading off to Assen for a GP when he fancied.

THE KAWASAKI YEARS

Mick won plenty in his years with Kawasaki – including three 250 GPS – but the period is tinged with regret, because he and the bike were both good enough to win a world championship, but team politics got in the way.

MORE THAN THE NR500

Mick had two contracts with Honda – one to ride the NR500 GP bike, while the other one was with Honda Britain. Here he’s on his way to second place in the 1980 Classic TT. The winner? Joey Dunlop, obviously.

STILL AT THE TOP

Rob Mcelnea, Mick and Joey Dunlop stand atop the Formula 1 podium at the 1983 TT (Joey won, Mick was second). By then Mick was riding for Suzuki, relishing beating Hondas after the company had let him go in 1980.

INTO MANAGEMENT

After retiring in 1985, Mick took two years away from the sport, then moved into management, becoming boss of the Suzuki GB race team. While there, he recruited and brought on a promising local rider – James Whitham (with Mick, above).

STILL RIDING

Mick has always ridden trials, and would have used his Velocette as a lad, but it was cheaper to go road racing on it. He now competes in classic trials – above he’s doing a section of the Pre-65 Scottish two-day at Fort William.