THE LOCAL motorsport scene is mourning the loss of one of its lovable characters and event sponsor.
Ken Davis, MD of Hereford based KGD Services, died recently and was a great supporter of the Wyedean and Forest of Dean Motor Club, writes Paul Willets
“He was a loveable jovial character who was always smiling and you could count on Ken for a story at the end of a special stage, as he drove either the Volvo Amazon or Ford Cortina with gusto on events together with long time co-driver Alan Jones these two were extremely popular with everyone they met,” said a spokesman for the Forest of Dean Motor Club.
Ken started rallying started back in 2013 after a meeting with Alan, and his debut was the Motor Clubs Rally Time Trial at Sweet Lamb.
With a very slow Volvo, which Alan described as ‘very slow uphill, bloody scary downhill’.
Ken was always looking for ways to develop and improve the Amazon, together with Quick Motorsport they finally got it to 162 brake horsepower.
Ken was a great supporter of the Wyedean and Forest of Dean Motor Club.
When the event was brought back to the Forest of Dean he approached organisers to say he would like to help with some sponsorship so he became an associate sponsor in recent years.
“Ken loved the Wyedean and his first experience of forestry was Sallowvallets and spectators would have been safer stood in the road, as Ken decided to attack the banks and undergrowth making them scatter in all directions, but in typical Ken style he found it funny,” added the club’s spokesman.
In 2016, Ken underwent a kidney transplant, but was soon back behind the wheel.
He made the trip to New Zealand in 2018 for the Silver Fern using a MK1 Escort plus a few outings on Wales Rally GB which always proved popular with spectators. Ken’s favourite event was Sweden’s Midnight Sun Rally where he finished second in class in the Cortina.
His motorsport career started way back as a mechanic for an F2 competitor, but his love of bikes was never too far away with motocross, speedway and trials where he also sponsored a lot of people.
Ken raced karts against the likes of Nigel Mansell, he also built and raced Honda Pilot buggies winning two championships, but built a buggy for engineering guru Keith Duckworth of Cosworth fame, a man Ken held in very high regard.
But after a huge accident he decided to go rallying.
There was more to Ken than just rallying, he was a very successful businessman who helped others with some sponsorship.
“He was so enthusiastic about rallying and spoke with a lot of sense of where rallying needs to go to keep it clubman based and costs in check,” the club’s spokesman added.
“There aren’t many competitors today who give back to the sport, but Ken was one, a true gentleman who always had a word and a smile.
“To say he will be greatly missed by us all here in the Forest of Dean is an understatement.
“Ken you are gone but won’t be forgotten, it was a pleasure to know you.”
The last word goes to his co-driver Alan Jones: “In 48 years of motorsport my most enjoyable times were spent with Ken.”
