Kevin Grant
One of the true stalwarts of New Zealand classic racing, Kevin Grant passed away on 1st June after a long illness, aged 71.
Kevin was probably best known as the enthusiastic owner of one of the ten original Brittens, but his interests and enthusiasm ran far deeper than that.
His stable included many rare Ducatis and Nortons which were frequently seen on race tracks in the hands of various riders. He was also an enthusiastic tourer and road rider and for many years kept a Ducati in the UK which he used on his frequent visits. Kevin was a successful businessman in irrigation supply, but his passion was motorcycling and his big red Mercedes motor home was a familiar sight in the paddock at Pukekohe, Hampton Downs and other NZ circuits – always open to visitors and usually with a mouth-watering display of machinery parked out front. During my many annual trips, Kevin supplied me with a fantastic array of motorcycles to race, including on one occasion, the Britten. Kevin was a key member of the NZ Classic Racing Register, serving as President and Treasurer, and heavily involved in the Register’s annual Pukekohe Festival meeting.
It was while on a riding holiday in Australia in 2007 that Kevin suffered serious leg injuries in an accident in Melbourne. He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital for emergency surgery and spent many months recuperating, although the effects of the injury stayed with him forever and severely curtailed his activities. It made little difference to his always positive and cheerful outlook on life, and his booming voice continued to ring out at the classic race meetings throughout New Zealand. His passing leaves an enormous gap in the close-knit Kiwi classic racing community. ■