Dave Bennett’s signing as a Norton team member was tragically brief; but he merits an inclusion with other Norton stars. He was born in Birmingham in 1928; the youngest of three brothers. With Stan and Clive employed at Ariel Motorcycles it was inevitable that Dave would pursue a similar career. Following his compulsary National Service; in 1947 Dave returned to his old employer Ariel, who supported him in national trials and scrambles.
Norton Race Shop
Despite his trials success, Bennett was determined to move on to road racing. In late 1949 he secured a position at Norton where his growing reputation earned him a place in the race shop. However, low wages ruled out any hope of purchasing competitive race machines. Through the intervention of family friend Ernie Earles, Bennett was provided with 350 and 500 Manx Nortons to ride in the 1950 season. With the new ‘Featherbed’ model unavailable to private owners until 1951; the 1950 season would have to be on the outmoded ‘Garden Gate’ version for Bennett and other aspiring riders..
1951Manx Grand Prix
Following encouraging performances in the 1950 Manx Grand Prix, Bennett’s main focus for 1951 was again the Manx. Once again Ernie Earles provided new bikes; in this instance a brace of ‘Featherbed’ Nortons. Despite Bennett’s connection with Norton’s race shop, both were completely standard and not thinly disguised specials. During practice for the Manx, Bennett featured strongly in both 350 and 500 sessions. Favourite for the Junior event was Robin Sherry on a rapid 7R AJS which in all probability was a works special.
Bennett made a strong challenge to Sherry throughout the race, holding second place until the fourth lap when a broken primary chain forced his retirement. Due to inclement weather the Senior race was postponed for 24 hours. Race day was sunny, but strong winds could prove bothersome at exposed parts of the circuit. From the start Bennett went into an early lead, which he maintained throughout. In second place was Don Crossley on a Beart-Norton, and in third was Robin Sherry on a prototype Matchless G45 twin. Sherry was displaced at the finish by veteran Denis Parkinson, on one of the swarms of Nortons that followed the leader home.
Norton Works Team
Following his record-breaking Manx win, Dave Bennett had proved himself worthy of a place in the 1952 Norton works team; where the newcomer would be partnering Geoff Duke and Reg Armstrong. However his first works outing was the 1951 autumn race meeting at Thruxton, which culminated in a titanic battle between Les Graham’s MV and Dave Bennett’s Norton, with the MV edging out Bennett’s Norton and John Surtees’ Vincent Grey Flash.
For 1952 the opening event was the Swiss Grand Prix, held that year at the demanding Bremgarten circuit; with the Norton team on the line against a strong AJS works trio, plus the Gilera and MV entries. During practice it became apparent that the local fuel was not compatible with the works Nortons. Bennett’s motor was affected more than his teammates’; requiring a complete re-build. Its consequences would prove disastrous for Bennett.
Fateful Swiss GP
The 500cc GP began at a furious rate, and saw Duke holding first place ahead of Graham, Brett and Coleman; with Bennett in mid-field. It soon developed into a race of attrition. Duke’s Norton, which was not the subject of a re-build as was Bennett’s, succumbed to the damage caused by the faulty fuel. As the race progressed there were further retirements, and on lap 22 of the 28-lap race the order was Doran, Bennett and Brett. His was the lone works Norton battling with the more experienced AJS duo of Doran and Brett.
A fierce battle for the lead developed, changing repeatedly and with no quarter given. As Doran and Brett sped past the pits on lap 27 there was no sign of Bennett. It was at first presumed that he too had suffered engine trouble, but in his efforts to stay with the AJS pair, he had run out of road, hit a tree and was killed instantly. It was a tragic circumstance. Only for that engine re-build following practice, Bennett’s Norton may well have expired as did Geoff Duke’s, thereby saving him from that fatal crash. But it was not to be. A saddened Brett and Doran crossed the line in that order; thus ended the all-too-brief career of a rider whom Geoff Duke described as having ‘exceptional talent’.
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