Championship winning Welsh co-driver turned successful WRC team manager Ken Rees recalls working with Prodrive, Colin McRae, Petter Solberg and … shaved heads!
Success achieved in motorsport is the sum of many parts, not least of which is effective team management and slick organization and for these two key aspects of success the focus is firmly on the ‘backroom boys’ who perform these crucial roles.
Usually enacted outside the fierce glare of publicity, these vital tasks nevertheless play a significant part in team and driver triumphs with many of these resourceful, intuitive and modest team players having gained their own first-hand experience within the white-hot heat of competition and Ken Rees is one of this rare breed.
With over 25 years spent in the World Rally Championship, first as one of the ‘main’ figures at Subaru responsible for ensuring the Banbury-based squad had everything it needed to function efficiently during their busy calendar of global events, including the complex logistics of moving cars and personnel around the globe.
Following 18 successful years Prodrive years, Ken joined the Petter Solberg World Rally Team as team manager and latterly, worked in the USA within global Rally X. Ken considers that the main ingredient that contributed to his success, popularity, and longevity within the sport was establishing a great working relationship within each team.
But what of Ken’s own competitive career as an accomplished rally co-driver? From 1977 to 2002 he sat alongside some of the quickest drivers on national tarmac and gravel rallies.
These names included: Rob James, Phil Collins, Mal Stuart, Gary Pesticcio, David Gillanders, Rob Stoneman, and Jeff Churchill (above), driving a wide range of cars including Talbot Avenger, Sunbeam Lotus, Escort RS Turbo, Ford RS 200, MG Metro 6R4, Sierra RS Cosworth.
Born in 1947 at Tegryn in the shadow of Pembrokeshire’s stunning Preseli Mountains, Ken ran a domestic appliance business in Cardiff for over 15 years before giving it up to pursue his motorsport dream.
He had originally become hooked on rallying after following the 1966 Welsh Rally, and after a brief stint as a driver, he found his forte as a co-driver, winning both the British and Scottish Rally Championship titles in 1987.
His fruitful relationship with Prodrive began when he co-drove for the late Possum Bourne in a Subaru at the 1990 Audi International Rally, before successfully transferring his extensive logistical and organizational skills and experience to the Oxfordshire-based outfit in June 1992, where his first assignment was to check Colin McRae’s pace notes, after which he never looked back!
We recently caught up with delightfully relaxed Ken Rees at Castle Combe Rallyday (above), where he was happily renewing acquaintances with old friends and teammates including Nicky Grist, Louise Aitken-Wallker, Jimmy McRae and Howard Davies. Enjoy our interview:
How did you start in motor sport?
Like a lot of Welshmen, I started by following local rallies and the enthusiasm started there.
I went to the 1966 Welsh International Rally and met Alun Rees, he was driving a 997 Mini Cooper
He was a great guy and I thought then that I would like to get into rallying.
From then on, I went onto stage rallies as a co-driver with Mal Stuart, Rob James, and Dennis Moody. Then in 1987 I won the British National Championship with David Gillanders (above).
After that I joined Prodrive and the Subaru World Rally Team in 1990 for the start of my full-time career in motorsport
What has been the best moment in motor sport?
Probably winning the World Championship in 1995 with Colin McRae, it was a fantastic time to be in the championship and Colin and the family were great to work with.
Second to that has to be in 2003 winning the championship again with Petter Solberg. I was lucky to work with Petter for 12 years. The last 3 was managing the Petter Solberg World Rally Team (below), some of the best years in my career.
When Petter went to M Sport in 2012, I then did some work with D Mack looking after Elfyn and also Ott Tanak, these drivers then moved onto factory drives.
I then went to America for a few years and got into Rallycross, firstly working with Vermont Sportscar and then the World Championship with Ken Block.
What has been your worst moment?
Monte Carlo Rally, back in the early 2000’s. Started in Monaco, all 3 cars retired before we got out of the principality. Steering rack problem on all 3.
Which event did/do you most look forward to?
During the World Championship it was always Argentina and New Zealand, besides being fantastic events, the countries are spectacular and so friendly. My favorite European event was always Greece.
Do you have any pastimes outside motorsport?
Not really, during the 30+ years of full-time coordinating and managing teams there is no time for much else. Now I have slowed down I enjoy travelling to many of the countries that we just used to fly into and fly out off without seeing much of it.
Which Car & Driver have impressed you most?
Probably the most impressive driver was Colin McRae (above). His ability to drive anything to the limit. Sometimes not the easiest of drivers to work with but he would just get into the car and drive on the limit, and sometimes over that. In those days we had none of the modern equipment for measuring everything, if it looked right then we sent it out.
Regarding the most impressive car. I think VW Polo. That team and car were so good. I remember them attending the service parks around the world for almost a year, they were watching how teams worked and more importantly the mechanics and engineers. When the time was right, they approached them and took the best. When the car arrived at the WRC (below) it was instantly a success. They had all the right personnel on board.
What’s the most entertaining event you’ve done?
Ah, so many of them. One special one was 2004 WRC Greece. Petter said that if he won, we could shave all his hair off…! obviously he didn’t expect to win but he did…! One of our mechanics, Jim Bywater, took the clippers and shaved him bald.
Louis Moya was our sporting director at the time, had had a few drinks and said to Jim: “you wouldn’t dare do that to me”, so Jim got the clippers and within minutes Louis was bald as well. So funny flying with them the next day, nobody at the airport recognized them. Also, Pernilla was not impressed when Petter got home…!
What is your most effective personal asset?
Being a team member, always do what I can to help the guys in the team, what you put in you get back. Also like to help the spectators who wait patiently sometimes for hours to catch a glimpse of the drivers.
Has your motorsport career made you a tax exile?
No, but if only…! I have had a great career in motorsport but never reached the heights of the well paid. I can’t complain, I have travelled the world doing what I enjoy but I still need my pension.
Who has been your greatest motorsport inspiration
Ari Vatanen, if every driver was a gentleman like Ari the sport would be in a better place.
Tell us something surprising about yourself?
Nothing really, just a rally clubman who was in the right place at the right time.
Congratulations, you’ve won the lottery, what car will you buy?
Not a car, a bigger and better motorhome to travel to Europe.
One final question please Ken, what will we find on your car CD or iPlayer?
Nothing extreme, just normal pop and soul music.
Our sincere thanks to Ken Rees for providing this candid and insightful view into his stella career.
© Words by Ken Davies and images Ken Rees Archive, Ken Davies & WRC