Dual World Champion
On the following season he was doubly vindicated, becoming World Champion in both the 350 and 500 categories. It was a remarkable achievement; in particular to claim the 500 crown; riding a machine that was clearly slower than the Italian multis which were his main opposition. Duke remained loyal to Norton for the 1952 season, but in spite of his undoubted ability it was obvious he was fighting a losing battle. He did gain the 350 World Title, but by that stage the 500 Norton was quite outclassed. His team mate Ray Amm provided staunch support in their heroic battles with the Italian multis in that period.
A new threat to Norton's dominance was MV rider and ex-World Champion Les Graham whose ability and perseverence was turning the MV into a genuine contender.
Sports car racing
Interspersed with motorcycle racing, Duke made a foray into driving for Aston Martin in sports car races. It was an unhappy episode in his career, due mainly to resentment from other drivers; in particular his teammate Peter Collins. He did enjoy reasonable success at mainland events during 1952, but his tenure with Aston Martin came to an abrupt end at the 1953 Sebring 12 Hours Race held in Florida. Collins had put the Aston into a comfortable lead at the time of his first pit stop and driver change. Duke took over, determined to maintain the lead; but during an overtaking maneuver he spun out and damaged the car too seriously to continue. Collins was most scathing about the incident, which upset Duke greatly; the whole affair convinced Duke that his real future was on two wheels.
Gilera World Champion
Apart from that disappointing outcome, Duke was bewildered by Norton’s attitude regarding his future prospects with them. In his three seasons with Norton, he had ridden brilliantly to gain 3 World Championships for the firm. Then, at the start of the 1953 season Nortons announced to the Press; “There is no place for Duke in the Norton team.” Later, Duke discovered that the objection to his re-joining the team came from his old teammate Ken Kavanagh.
If Norton did not want Duke’s services, then Gilera were more than anxious to sign him, and with a retainer and benefits that made Norton’s salary look decidedly paltry. It was the commencement of a 5-year tenure with the Italian firm, which gained the St. Helens star a further 3 World Championships, (1953-54-55) including the 1955 Senior TT at record speed. At the end of the 1957 season the leading Italian factories, with the exception of MV Agusta withdrew from Grand Prix racing.
The last events
Without a regular works ride, Duke and Dickie Dale campaigned a factory-prepared BMW, but apart from a win on the BMW at Hockenheim Duke had scant reward for his efforts. He enjoyed more success with a brace of standard Manx Nortons; in particular at the Hedemora circuit in Sweden where a scored a hard-fought Senior/Junior double.
Duke’s final season was in 1959; again riding Manx Nortons. This was his Isle of Man swansong where he gained a doughty 4th place in that year’s Junior TT. His last race wins were in September at the non-championship Swiss Grand Prix at Locarno, where he scored a Junior/Senior double, plus a Lightweight win on a 250 works Benelli.
The ‘Duke’ still made parade appearances on two wheels, where a younger generation had the opportunity to witness one of the truly ‘greats’ in action. In 1963 Duke made the bold decision to challenge the all-conquering MVs with the ex-works Gileras. Although they had not raced in anger since 1957 he reasoned they would still be competitive. His hopes were centred on Derek Minter as his No1 rider, backed up by John Hartle, but early in the season Minter was seriously injured in a race crash. With Minter hors de combat the Gilera challenge evaporated; with an in-form Mike Hailwood relegating them to runners-up. Duke took up residence in his beloved Isle of Man and his name is perpetuated in a range of motoring videos marketed by his son Peter.
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