George Grant made a positive debut at the Croft circuit during rounds three and four of this season’s MaX5 Championship last weekend (April 25/26), after  overcoming a number of challenges.Following on from his impressive performance at the 2015 season opener at Silverstone, Grant enjoyed another two top-10 finishes behind the wheel of his Paul  Sheard-prepared Mazda MX-5.Given that it was his first time at the North Yorkshire circuit, Grant dedicated practice on Friday to learning the track before qualifying the car ninth in  the wet on Saturday. “Most people have an instructor for their first time at a circuit but I decided to just throw myself into it and see how I got on,” said Grant. “I was  obviously a bit tentative seeing as it was my first time there, but that’s normal at somewhere unfamiliar.”Although he didn’t feel entirely happy with the car’s set-up and wet conditions marred his progress in Race 1, Grant crossed the line in 10th position to  claim some all-important championship points.After voicing his concerns with the car to Team Manager Paul Sheard, a suspension upgrade left Grant feeling much happier with the set-up in the second race,  which he started from 10th on the grid.“It felt like a completely different car,” enthused Grant. “Paul and the guys quickly turned it around, giving me much more confidence; something that is so  important at a circuit you don’t know that well!”A race-long battle for seventh, eighth and ninth then ensued with George right in the middle of the action. Following a close call with Lee Hollin and  competitive tussle with Matt Tidmarsh, Grant eventually crossed the line in ninth, claiming a fourth top-10 finish of his 2015 campaign.Despite his struggles with the weather, circuit and car set-up, Grant came away from the event delighted with his weekend, which proved to be a real learning  experience for him.“I had fantastic fun in the race,” confirmed Grant. “Although I didn’t feel 100% happy with the car, I certainly felt like I learned a lot about relaxing as  a driver and really enjoyed the whole experience.“It’s reassuring to think that we have somewhere to go – the team and I know that the car is capable of better, and I can do more, so it really was a  positive weekend and I’m very happy.”George is delighted to be taking part in this weekend’s BRSCC Mazda MX-5 SuperCup at Rockingham (2/3 May) as a guest driver alongside former BTCC race winner  and ITV Sport commentator Paul O’Neill. “It’s a pleasure to be asked to race this weekend at Rockingham with the Paul Sheard Autos team,” he said. “Of course, it is going to be a step up but I’ll be going at my pace and focussing on really enjoying every minute out on track!” His next MaX5 Championship outing comes at Cadwell Park on May 16/17.