Born in November 1954 near Halesworth, Suffolk, Keith is a family man who runs his own garage in Shotley Gate near Ipswich. A qualified motor engineer with many years’ experience, he runs his business with wife Christine, and younger son Sean who is following in his father’s footsteps as an apprentice mechanic. Elder son, Neil, decided he’d try a career where he didn’t get his hands dirty and he’s training to be a Legal Executive!

Keith’s association with Dick began in 1981 when he went to work for him, helping him set up a dealership and establish the workshop and MOT facilities in his garage. In 1984 Keith set up his own business, continuing to supply specialist technical knowledge and practical help to Dick.

He became involved in preparing the vehicles for Dick’s domestic rallies, principally the RS2000 and Sierra Cosworth, before turning his attentions to the Trooper. He became fully involved with the Dakar Vehicle following its rescue from the desert in a sorry condition after Dick’s second attempt. The Isuzu was completely stripped, lightened and strengthened in Keith’s workshop. In response to the problems suffered by the vehicle, Keith designed and made a rear axle cooling system and fitted a Ford engine for which tuning parts were readily available. That year (1990) Keith went as back-up mechanic, flying from stage to stage to carry out repairs. Mechanical failure during one of the stages meant that Dick had to be towed in to the overnight stop where Keith was waiting. The tow-in had taken too long and Dick was ruled as out of time, and therefore out of the rally. Keith was able to repair the vehicle sufficiently to enable Dick and himself to travel home from Southern Libya whilst Dick’s navigator followed the rally to its conclusion as part of the Press corps.

In 1991, the now very tired vehicle faced its last Dakar with the addition of a gearbox cooling system, again designed and installed by Dick and Keith, who this time went as Dick’s navigator, having competed in the requisite domestic rallies in order to obtain his International Rally Licence. It is interesting to note that during this period Keith and Dick twice won the Spirit of the Rally Award. On the 1991 Dakar Keith assumed the role of navigator by day, and mechanic by night.

In 1997 the addition of the GPS navigation system, together with the road books, added a further dimension to his navigational skills. Again, by night, with some ingenious use of the materials available, he managed to carry out the necessary repairs to the vehicle. The 1997 Dakar confirmed that despite being under pressure, Keith and Dick worked well as a team and never lost sight of their goal – to finish the event. This they succeeded in doing, returning home proud in the knowledge that they were the first British pair to finish in a vehicle for some ten years!

Their next entry was on the 2000 edition of the event, and Keith was deeply involved with the rebuilding of the car following the 1997 success. During the 2000 event Keiths skills were again used to full effect in keeping the car going despite some difficult problems, and another good finish was achieved.

Keith is currently working towards raising the required budget to run in the Toyota Trophy section of the 2002 Dakar Rally.