02/02/2023
We are very sad to learn of the passing of British Drag Racing pioneer and Santa Pod Raceway founder John Bennett at the age of 92.
John Bennett joined the first committee of the British Hot Rod Association in 1962 and as Chairman organised the first British Custom Car show at his Spa Engineering workshops in South Norwood in Easter 1963. He was involved in early drag races in the UK with his Pontiac Chieftan usually raced by his soon to be wife Ann Palmer. At the 1965 BHRA AGM he made the historic announcement that five members including himself had been able to obtain a ninety acre site in Bedfordshire suitable for a permanent drag strip.
John had formed a company known as National Dragways to develop the site which in 1966 was to become Santa Pod Raceway.
We would like to pass on our condolences to John’s family and friends.
Thank you to Eurodragster.com, who published an interview with John back in 2020 which can be seen here - http://www.eurodragster.com/news/features/john_bennett/default.asp
