Ken Kavanagh’s racing forays were typical of the Australian riders who made the pilgrimage to Europe in the early 1950s. Veterans, Harry Hinton and Eric McPherson, who preceded him; both earned World Championship points and also secured works rides. Kavanagh was determined to make his mark in Grand Prix racing and succeeded far beyond his contemporaries. During his career he gained works rides from four manufacturers; Norton, Moto Guzzi, MV and Ducati. Kavanagh was the first Australian to win a classic Grand Prix and to also win at the Isle of Man; in his case, the 1953 Senior Ulster and the 1956 Junior TT.
1951 Overseas Selection
His competition career began in motocross or scrambles, as it was known in Australia. He moved from there to road racing, riding a new Manx Norton; the first to be imported post war to Australia. Kavanagh became the man to beat in Victorian road races. His big opportunity came in 1951 when he was chosen for the Isle of Man team, partnering Harry Hinton and Tony McAlpine.
Isle of Man 1951
Kavanagh’s main focus on his arrival in Europe was the Isle of Man. He applied himself to learning that complex 37-mile circuit in a disciplined manner; with fast lap times, and without the ignominy of crashing. A feature of Kavanagh’s career was his ability to avoid dropping the model. These were times when many of the circuits were incredibly dangerous; with no run-off areas and road conditions that would be quite unacceptable today. Under such circumstances there were inevitable fatalities, including many aspiring Australian riders. Kavanagh was actually offered a works Norton for the Senior TT. Hinton’s injury in the Junior TT left the team one rider short; and it was a rare compliment for Kavanagh, on his first Island foray. He rejected the offer, saying that his own Manx Nortons were quick enough for his current experience. During the Senior TT he worked his way into fourth place, only to retire with a split oil tank.
Norton Works Team
Following the TT, Kavanagh scored his first ever-European victory with a win in a 500cc race at the Thruxton circuit. He was also successful at the Tarare circuit in France; winning the 350 and 500 races. Other wins followed his French outings; and for the Ulster Grand Prix he was enlisted into the Norton team alongside Geoff Duke, Johnnie Lockett and Jack Brett. Kavanagh justified his inclusion with a strong second place to Duke in both the 350 and 500cc events.
1952 British Champion
Kavanagh returned to Australia in October, following a superb performance by a newcomer to European racing. Back in England for the 1952 season he scored 350 and 500cc wins at Boreham Wood; making him a British Champion. His Isle of Man Senior outing, like the previous year, proved disappointing. He was holding fourth place on the final lap, when his primary chain broke. Determined to finish, he pushed and coasted the final six miles to come 32nd. His Junior TT resulted in retirement with mechanical problems, again while holding 4th place.
1952 Norton Works Team
It was a season of mixed fortunes for the 1952 Norton team. At the German Grand prix on the Solitude road circuit, Ray Amm crashed in practice; sustaining a broken leg and other injuries. Team leader Duke was also absent, following a crash at Schotten on the previous weekend. It was left to Kavanagh and Armstrong to uphold Norton’s honour. Kavanagh was poised to win the 350 race; only to have Armstrong beat him to the line by a wheel’s length. His Senior race was an example of riding to team orders. In his efforts to keep ahead of Graham’s MV, Kavanagh built up an adequate lead over the MV and Armstrong’s Norton. Graham encountered problems; putting Armstrong into second place. At the time Armstrong held a slender lead in the 500cc World Championship; making it imperative that Kavanagh surrender his first place. He duly slowed his pace to allow Armstrong to come through for his second win of the day.
Ulster Grand Prix
That year’s Ulster Grand Prix brought a more satisfying result for the Australian; with first place ahead of Armstrong in the 350 event. It was the final year that the GP was held on the old Clady circuit, prior to its move to Dundrod. Armstrong needed a win in the 500 race to consolidate his narrow points lead in the World Championship, but he was forced to retire with a broken chain. It was an exasperating occurrence that bedeviled Nortons on so many occasions. Irish rider Cromie McCandless came through to win the Senior, riding a work’s Gilera.
Follow Kavanagh's career at Kavanagh-TT Winner
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