Tom Grant gets Centurion Honda reprieve

Tom Grant made his track debut for the Centurion Honda team this week when he joined regular rider Dan Cooper for the team’s three-day test in Calafat, Spain.

20-year-old, Grant from Melbourne, Derby was facing a bleak future until he agreed terms with Centurion Racing early last week.

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He settled in well with the Honda, especially considering it was his first time at Calafat until now.

Grant: “I’ve been given a fantastic opportunity by Gary and Paul from Centurion and one that I couldn’t say no to.

“I was beginning to wonder what I might be doing in 2009 when I got the call and jumped at the chance. Before I knew it I was out here in Spain with the Centurion team.

“It’s been a good couple of days (on the bike) and I really like the Honda and the entire Centurion team. I’m really grateful that they have given me the opportunity and would like to be one of the front runners in the Championship this season.

“We have a couple more tests and that should ensure that by the time Brands gets here I’m up to speed with everything and can push for the title.”

Centurion Honda shared track time with Crescent Suzuki at Calfat so it plenty of opportunity to clock up the miles and get back up to racing speed for team regular, Dan Cooper.

He said: “I’ve not been on a bike since the last race at Brands Hatch, so I was a little rusty to start off with.

“As there was only Centurion and Crescent there it was perfect as we got plenty of track time which allowed us both to get the bikes set up right and working well.

“We completed a couple of race simulations once we got the bikes up to scratch and this was a good indication to test the tyres, bike and my fitness.

“By the end of the three days I was beginning to feel really confident again and eager to get back racing at Brands Hatch in April.”

The team have two remaining tests in Almeria and Cartagena before the season starts.