It’s being reported on social media that Colin Bennett died yesterday morning at the age of 81. He devoted his life to motor racing, first as a mechanic and then as a team owner and race engineer/preparer over many, many years.
I was one of a large band of TNFers who went on a group visit to Colin’s Warrington team base in 2011. We had a great time looking at the historic cars he was running for various wealthy owners. Some months later I ran into him by chance at the Silverstone Classic. Amazingly, he remembered me from the TNF visit, shook my hand and we had a nice chat.
He was a lovely man and I’m so sorry to learn of his passing. Sincere condolences to his family and many, many friends.
Colin Bennett RIP
Started by
Tim Murray
, Jul 16 2024 10:19
5 replies to this topic
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#2
GMiranda
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Posted 16 July 2024 - 13:27
My deepest condolences. Spoke briefly with him on Facebook.
#3
backfire
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Posted 16 July 2024 - 14:53
Top bloke and a very clever bloke, he could work on any racing car and to a very high standard. RIP Colin, old mate.
#4
ensign14
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Posted 17 July 2024 - 11:27
Surprised he was "only" 81, he seems to have been around for ever, would have guessed a decade older. Or maybe that was a reflection of the number of drivers who had a tilt in his F3000 team. RIP.
#5
WonderWoman61
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Posted 24 July 2024 - 10:05
Wasn't he briefly linked to a role in the FIRST Racing team when they tried to enter F1 in 1989?
(RIP Colin)
(RIP Colin)
#6
MCS
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Posted 25 July 2024 - 17:35
Sad to be reading this. A genuinely good man and a rightly acknowledged expert in his field.
I am now thinking of the Dempster Formula Three Ensign pedalled by his great friend Mike Wilds in 1973 - what a beautifully presented machine that was (as was the subsequent March 733 replacement of course, as Mike got quicker and quicker as that wonderful season progressed). I can still happily recall his victory at Mallory Park late that season when he comprehensively beat the likes of Lafitte, Henton, Brise, etc.
I can also remember the Formula Two Marches that he prepared for sometime F2 pilot and fairly regular Aurora and Formule Libre driver Norman Dickson in the late seventies. They looked better than the works cars!
He attended a TNF North West gathering with his lovely family what must be at least ten years ago now where he was expertly interviewed by Simon Arron. It was a wonderful evening, which I've never forgotten; Simon surprising Colin with a wonderful reminiscence of getting an impromptu lift from him in years gone by on the final stretch to Oulton Park one day with his friend Phil Rainford.
God bless Colin Bennett and the others who were there that evening in Cheshire who are no longer with us.
Edited by MCS, 25 July 2024 - 20:39.
