Dick Bennets

Actor

Dunedin, New Zealand

June 26, 1946

Biography

Dick Bennetts, born on June 26, 1946, in Dunedin, New Zealand, is a renowned motorsport engineer and team manager. He began his career in the 1960s, working with local racing teams in New Zealand before moving to the UK in 1972. In 1981, Bennetts founded West Surrey Racing (WSR), which quickly became a dominant force in British Formula 3, nurturing talents like Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen, and Rubens Barrichello. Under his leadership, WSR transitioned to touring car racing in the mid-1990s, achieving significant success in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). The team secured multiple titles, including drivers' championships with Colin Turkington. Bennetts is celebrated for his meticulous engineering approach and his ability to develop young driving talent, making him a respected figure in international motorsport.