While competing in the 1949 350cc Junior TT race, the first ever race of the new FIM World Championship, Drinkwater collided with a bank trying to avoid a fellow competitor near Cronk Bane farm, close to the 11th milestone marker post, and was killed.
In the 1949 inaugural 350cc Junior TT race of the new FIM World Championship, Drinkwater collided with a bank while attempting to evade another racer near Cronk Bane farm, close to the 11th milestone marker post, and was ultimately killed.