‘GURU’ REVEALS FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
y the mid 1980s, Dunedin-born Dick Bennetts’ West Surrey Racing (WSR) team had become synonymous with success and engineering excellence. Running in the highly competitive British Formula 3 (F3) championship, it had become the go-to team. And as Ayrton Senna’s star shone brighter and brighter in Formula 1 (F1), insiders who knew about Dick’s contribution to the Brazilian’s success in F3 appreciated his talents all the more. For 1985, Senna introduced Dick to his compatriot Maurício Gugelmin. “Despite not having Ayrton’s raw talent, he gave fantastic feedback,” recalls Dick. That year was the dawn of a new era for F3 with the two manufacturers offering cars — the Ralts of the legendary Ron Tauranac, or the flash carbon fibre newcomers from Adrian Reynard. Dick acknowledges being both conservative and having an affection for the Aussie and ordered a new
