Following his 1951 debut Ken Kavanagh was by far the most successful Australian rider of his era to compete at World Championship level. At his first Isle of Man appearance he was offered a place in the Norton works team. It was a rare privilege for a newcomer, and one that he initially declined. Later in the season he accepted the offer, which he justified with some good results; in particular at the Ulster Grand Prix; a venue that would feature in his ongoing career. In 1951 Kavanagh finished second to team leader Geoff Duke in both the 350 and 500 events; and in 1952 he scored the first of his Ulster victories with first place in the 350 class.
1953 Season
For 1953, Kavanagh was once more a Norton teamster, alongside Ray Amm and Jack Brett. Geoff Duke and Reg Armstrong had moved on to Gilera, following an unprofitable season for them on Nortons. Despite the speed advantage of the Italian fours, the Norton’s superior handling kept them competitive at tortuous circuits like the Isle of Man. Kavanagh was confident of a good result at the Junior TT; and came tantalizingly close to achieving that win.
Isle of Man
On lap four he assumed the lead, ousting early leader Ray Amm; but the Rhodesian was in tigerish mood and not to be denied. By dint of a record-breaking final lap he came through to beat Kavanagh by the margin of just nine seconds! Friday’s Senior TT was even more dramatic for Amm. Following Les Graham’s fatal crash on lap 2, Amm held second place behind Duke’s Gilera. Then on lap 3 Duke came off at QuarterBridge, damaging the Gilera too seriously to continue. Amm took over in first place, holding it till the finish, with a record lap at 97.41 mph. Early in the race, Kavanagh was well in the picture, climbing to fourth place by lap 3, only to retire shortly afterwards.
Victory at the Ulster
Duke’s move to Gilera was clearly vindicated with wins at the 500cc Dutch TT and the Swiss and Italian Grands Prix. Kavanagh secured 4th place at the 500 Belgian GP, but the 500 Ulster Grand Prix was his moment of triumph. He was hoping for a leader board finish behind the Gileras, until fate took a hand with torrential rain and clutch problems with Duke’s Gilera. Midway through the race Kavanagh took over the lead while Duke was refueling. Riding as never before in the rain-lashed conditions he held on to score a memorable win; and become the first Australian to win a classic Grand Prix.
Norton Swansong
Kavanagh’s final appearance on a work’s Norton was an end-of-season meeting at Silverstone. It was a circuit that he disliked, due to its continuous use for car racing, which left the surface absolutely without grip. He was untroubled to win the 350 race but the 500 final was a much more demanding exercise. While Kavanagh was slipstreaming Dale’s Gilera he was brought down when the Gilera suddenly locked up, but the Aussie was soon on his way again, regaining the lead to score his last win for the firm.
The Guzzi Years
From 1954 to 1957 Kavanagh was retained as a works rider for Moto Guzzi. It was a productive era for the diminutive Australian; with wins at the 1954 350 Belgian GP, the 1955 350 Dutch TT, and a strong third place in the 1955 Senior TT behind Duke and Armstrong’s Gileras. But more significantly he won the 1956 Isle of Man Junior TT.; becoming the first Australian to attain victory at the Isle of Man; a venue where good fortune rarely smiled on Thomas Kenrick Kavanagh. His fellow riders were divided in their opinion of Kavanagh. Some considered his forceful ambition and total commitment as unsavory; but without doubt he secured deals that made him by far the most successful of his contemporaries.
Formula One Foray
Much of his wealth was lost in a foray into Formula One during 1958 and 1959. He was in a position to acquire a pair of ex-works lightweight Maserati 250Fs. His partner in the venture was to be fellow Aussie Keith Campbell, but sadly the former 350cc world champion was killed at a minor race meeting at Cadours, early in 1958. But motor racing soaks up a private entrant’s funds at an alarming rate, as Kavanagh and many others have found, to their cost; and after two unproductive seasons he abandoned the exercise.
The Final Events
In 1959 he made a return to two wheels, with race entries on Nortons, the marque on which his career began. He also campaigned Ducatis in the 125 and 250 categories. By then the Japanese influence was being extended into road racing, which was an invasion that Kavanagh resented. He had no interest in racing for them, and on that note Kavanagh retired. He abandoned his Australian connections and settled in the northern Italian town of Bergamo. There he operated a dry cleaning business; a far cry from the glamour and excitement of his Grand Prix racing days.
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