We are saddened to announce the death of the Club’s former Motorsport Manager, Steve Kevlin, who passed away on Wednesday, 8 June.
Nearly all of Steve’s working career saw him involved with Porsche, beginning at Archibald Frazer Nash (AFN), who at the time were the UK’s sole concessionaire for Porsche, before moving to Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited when it was formed. Steve enjoyed a long and incredibly varied career with Porsche, which allowed him the opportunity to drive many unusual and often experimental cars.
Motorsport was his true passion and Steve became the first person with diabetes in the UK to hold a race licence. Competing in 928s, 944s and 964s, he would often share drives with the likes of Tony Dron and Tiff Needell. While he was a Porsche Club employee for more than 20 years, his involvement with the Club dates back further thanks to the various championships he ran or competed in.
It was at race circuits that Steve would come alive, and through his involvement in organising and running the Club’s trackdays that he met so many of our members. While he retired in 2019, he was such a well-known character that to this day we still receive calls from members enquiring about him and recalling tales of time spent with him.
The whole Clubhouse Team and Motorsport board would like to pass on their condolences to Steve’s family during this difficult time and hope that they can take solace in knowing how much he meant to so many.
We have received a number of messages of condolences this morning and would like to thank everyone who has been in touch.
A full obituary will be made available shortly.
Messages of Condolence
Paul Seagrave, Motorsport Chairman and Porsche Club Competitor
A lot of us racing today is thanks to Steve’s encouragement and hard work over a long period with the Porsche Club Championship. So sad to hear this news
Mandy Sear, Motorsport Manager
Steve was so supportive when he passed the reins of Motorsport to Chris and myself, always happy to answer questions and be there when we needed him. The knowledge that he had in every aspect never ceased to amaze me both on Motorsport and Club related matters, there wasn’t much he hadn’t seen. He will be missed by us all.
Chris Pruden, Motorsport Development
I have been a member of the club for over 30 years and lucky to have known Steve for over 20, it was privilege when I was given the opportunity to be able to work alongside him and although I didn’t scratch the surface of his knowledge in Motorsport I learnt so much from him via his contagious enthusiasm and encouragement, I will miss him and wish we had had longer to work together.
Paul Grainger, Senior Administrator
My employment at Porsche Club started when Steve took me on as his assistant in the Motorsport department around 18 years ago. Steve always treated me with great kindness and fairness. I learnt so much about Porsches, motorsport, driving, and life in general from Steve and I’m very grateful for having known and worked with him.
Vicky Osbourn, Porsche Cars Great Britain
So sad to hear about Steve. He was such a lovely man – Porsche through and through. I have many fond memories of working with him on many events and he was always so welcoming when I started working with the Club. He was so proud to have worked for the brand – and he was very much admired in the business.
Josh Sadler, Autofarm Founder
Steve has been so significant in my life. He was my best contact to the official world, along with the obvious motorsport side. I have a flood of memories and he’ll leave such a big hole for me and for the Club.
Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive MSV
Steve was a wonderful chap who I always had a lot of time for. Please extend my deepest sympathies to his family
Stephen Mummery, former Director & Club Publications Manager
So sad and such a loss. Steve was not only a good friend, he was a great colleague too. He had an amazing knowledge of all things Porsche, particularly motorsport, and was always supportive and willing to lend a hand. He worked incredibly hard for the Club and its members, accomplishing so much. He will be greatly missed but forever remembered by Charlotte and me.
Paul Stephens
This is very sad news indeed, Steve was a guiding hand when I first started racing back in the 80s in the Pirelli Series, a true gent who I know will missed by all who knew him.
Mark Sumpter, Paragon Porsche
Such sad news. I have so many great memories of Steve since meeting him at Porsche in the 90’s. He was always so helpful, friendly, and fun to chat to. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Neil Harvey, Porsche Club Competitor
Very sad news indeed to hear about Steve's passing. He was one of the key figures in Porsche Club Motorsport for so many years and responsible for turning it into the UK's top club racing championships.
My father (Martin Harvey) and myself and all the drivers who raced with us at Harvey Racing enjoyed some of our best racing under Steve's watch. My father raced against Steve in the late 80s when Steve was running in the 928 and 944 and describes it as the most competitive Motorsport he has ever done.
Steve was always very fair when dealing with all the difficulties that arise in Motorsport. Very few people understand the amount of effort that a championship co-ordinator has to put into a race meeting to ensure its smooth running; Steve excelled at that.
When I turned up at Donington Park last year for the first race of the 911 Challenge, it was great to see so many of the 'old faces' but it was Steve who gave me the warmest welcome of everyone.
Peter Evans, Porsche Club Competitor
So sad to hear this terrible news. Steve was a mentor to me on believing I could do the Boxster Cup
James Toye, Ownership | Manager, Owner Services Porsche Cars Great Britain Ltd
Steve was such a lovely fellow and passionate member of the Porsche world over the years.
John Alexander, Porsche Club Competitor
Steve encouraged me into racing after a few years of track days. He was such a nice guy, made even more lovely by his human quirks - just like the rest of us! We will miss him.
Matt Gough, Porsche Club Competitor, Porsche Centre Nottingham
RIP Steve, what an absolute gentleman with so many stories to tell! A ledged in the Porsche Club paddock was a pleasure to be in his presence.
SW Engineering
RIP Steve, you were a true member of our community and will be sorely missed, remembered for all the brilliant times that you gave us and enthusiasm for our championship. Our thoughts are with his family.
Tyrone Thomas, Track Day regular
Sorry to hear this and best wishes to the family. I am sure Steve will continue to give amazing briefings in the other place!
Rob Kellock
So very sorry to hear this. I had the greatest respect for Steve and enjoyed the time I worked alongside him. A fountain of knowledge, a calm voice of authority, especially at track day briefings and not someone who would tolerate fools, A sad day, condolences to his family.
Kevin Ashbridge
So sorry to hear this, a genuine enthusiast and a lovely man, a great ambassador for the club and a reminder of its grass roots origins.
Andy Muggeridge, Porsche Club Competitor
This is so sad, Steve was so supportive and enthusiastic, welcoming all of us to the championship. Such a great loss
Angus Archer, Porsche Club Competitor
Very sad to hear this, Steve was there right at the start for me in the late 90’s and was personally very kind to me and my family when my own father passed away. A huge influence and a great personality.
Pete Kyle-Henney, Porsche Carrera Cup
I am so sorry to hear the news about Steve, he was one of the most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He was a guiding light to help me start racing and why Matt entered the club championship. I realised today I have known him for almost 20 years. I have a great picture of Steve and Matt as he told him he had won the championship. Very happy memories and he will be missed by many.
GPR Motorsport
Sad news, great memories working with Steve back in the good ole days at PCGB. RIP mate.
Elite Motorsport
Such sad news, an absolute gentleman who always provided great encouragement and generously shared his wealth of knowledge. Steve will be sadly missed our thoughts and best wishes are with his family.