Phil Keen - The Story Of A British Racing Driver

Cade Ratke 20 Jun 2025

Have you ever wondered about the faces behind some of the most exciting moments in motorsports and television? We are talking about someone who has made a very big mark, both on the race track and, in a way, on our screens. This person, Phil Keen, is a British professional racing driver, someone who has spent a lot of time competing in the European Le Mans Series. He also holds a rather impressive record for having the most wins in British GT history, which is quite something when you think about it.

Beyond his achievements in racing cars, Phil Keen is also known for a different kind of role, one that brought him into many homes. From 2010 to 2022, he took on the part of the third "Stig" on the BBC show "Top Gear." This was a pretty big deal, as the identity of this masked driver was a secret that many people wondered about for a long time. It was a role that, in some respects, added a layer of mystery to his public image, making him a figure of curiosity for a lot of fans.

It turns out that Jeremy Clarkson, a former presenter from "Top Gear," eventually confirmed that Phil Keen, a British GT champion, was indeed the third and final person to play the part of the masked racing driver on the popular program. This revelation, when it came, helped put an end to years of talk and guessing among those who followed the show. Phil Keen, it seems, wore that well-known white racing suit starting in 2010, keeping his true identity hidden for quite a while.

A Look at Phil Keen's Life and Career
Beyond the Track - What Else Has Phil Keen Done?

A Look at Phil Keen's Life and Career

Let's take a moment to consider the background of this rather accomplished individual. Phil Keen came into the world on October 20, 1983, in a place called Reading, which is in Berkshire, England. So, that's where his story truly begins. He has, in his professional life, worn a couple of very different hats, one as a person who drives race cars with great skill, and another as someone involved in design, which is pretty interesting, if you ask me.

It's quite a tale, actually, how his path unfolded. Growing up, Phil Keen was the son of a contractor, someone who built things. This early exposure to building and creating seemed to spark something in him, because from the young age of eleven, he started to think about becoming an architect. It's a bit different from racing cars, isn't it? But it shows a different side to his abilities, a more creative and structural way of thinking.

To follow this early aspiration, Phil Keen pursued a serious academic path. He went to some very well-regarded institutions, studying at both Harvard University and Washington University. There, he worked hard and earned himself a Master of Architecture, which is often shortened to MArch, and also a Master of Business Administration, known as an MBA. These qualifications suggest a mind that is capable of both creative vision and practical management, a combination that is, you know, really valuable.

Here are some quick details about Phil Keen:

Detail	Information
Full Name	Phil Keen
Born	October 20, 1983
Birthplace	Reading, Berkshire, England
Occupations	Professional Racing Driver, Architect (by education)

What Makes Phil Keen a Standout Racer?

When we talk about what makes Phil Keen truly special on the race track, it's pretty clear that his record speaks for itself. He is, to put it simply, a very successful British GT Championship driver. We are talking about someone who has accumulated a truly impressive number of victories over his career. His dedication and skill behind the wheel have led him to achieve what many would consider extraordinary feats in the world of racing.

Think about this for a moment: he has managed to secure 24 wins. That's a lot of times crossing the finish line first, feeling the excitement of a victory. And it's not just about winning races; he also has a remarkable number of pole positions, standing at 16. Getting a pole position means you're the fastest in qualifying, which is a big deal because it puts you at the very front of the starting grid, giving you a better chance right from the beginning. It shows a consistent ability to perform at the very highest level, which is, you know, very difficult to do.

Beyond those overall numbers, Phil Keen also has a Supersport class win to his name. This indicates his versatility and ability to compete and succeed in different categories of racing. It suggests a driver who can adapt to various conditions and types of vehicles, always pushing for that top spot. His long career, spanning 21 years on the track, has certainly given him a lot of experience, and it really shows in his consistent performance.

Phil Keen's Time Behind the Wheel of the White Suit

The story of Phil Keen's involvement with "Top Gear" is quite a fascinating one, especially considering the long-held secret about the identity of "The Stig." For years, people talked and wondered about who was truly behind that famous white helmet and racing suit. It was a mystery that added a lot of fun to the show, and, you know, it really kept viewers guessing.

Jeremy Clarkson, a former presenter on the show, eventually let the cat out of the bag, confirming that Phil Keen was the third and final person to take on the part of the masked racing driver. This confirmation came after years of the identity being a closely guarded secret, even though the media often had their own ideas and theories about who it might be. It’s pretty wild to think about how long that secret was kept, isn't it?

Phil Keen wore that iconic white racing suit starting in 2010. He continued in the role for a significant period, up until the show's last episode in 2022. So, for more than a decade, he was the one doing all those amazing driving stunts and setting those incredibly fast lap times. It's a testament to his skill that he could perform at that level while keeping his identity completely hidden from the public eye, which, you know, is quite a feat.

How Did Phil Keen Become the Stig?

The journey to becoming "The Stig" for Phil Keen involved taking over from someone else who had previously held the role. Ben Collins is probably the person most widely recognized for playing "The Stig" before Phil Keen stepped in. However, Ben Collins was not the only successful British racer to take on this very unique part in the show's history. There were, as it turns out, three different individuals who played "The Stig" over the course of the show's 33 seasons, which is, you know, a lot of television.

Phil Keen actually took over from Ben Collins after 2010. He became "Top Gear's" very own "tamed racing driver," which was a fun way of describing the character. The idea was that this driver was so skilled, so precise, that they could make any car do incredible things on the track. It was a role that required a great deal of driving ability, as well as the discipline to remain completely anonymous, which, you know, must have been a little strange at times.

The secret of Phil Keen's identity as "The Stig" remained under wraps until 2024. It was then that Jeremy Clarkson, during a Q&A session after a screening of "The Grand Tour: One for the Road," finally revealed that the third "Stig" was, in fact, endurance racing driver Phil Keen. This public confirmation brought an end to years of speculation and finally put a name to the face that, in a way, was never truly seen. It was, you know, a pretty big moment for fans of the show.

Beyond the Track - What Else Has Phil Keen Done?

It's pretty clear that Phil Keen has a lot of talents, extending beyond just driving incredibly fast cars. His background, as we talked about, includes a strong interest in architecture and design. This is reflected in his involvement with PKDG, which stands for Phil Kean Design Group. This group, it seems, brings a truly special kind of focus to design, paying very close attention to the smaller things and the overall good making of each project they take on. So, it's not just about speed for him; it's also about creating beautiful and functional spaces, which is, you know, a really different kind of skill.

The positive feedback for the Phil Kean Design Group is quite striking. People who have worked with them, like one couple who mentioned being "very pleased," talk about how pleasant the whole experience was. From the initial architectural drawings to the interior design and the way everything was laid out, they found the team to be a joy to work with. This suggests a group that really listens to what people want and can turn those thoughts into something real and useful, which is, you know, very important when you're building or renovating.

They have a way of taking general ideas and thoughts from clients and making them into a reality that is both appealing to look at and practical for everyday living. The recommendation for the Phil Kean team is very strong, indicating a high level of satisfaction from those who have used their services. This kind of positive word-of-mouth is, you know, a very good sign of quality work and a good customer experience.

Beyond his design work, Phil Keen also contributed to a mockumentary in 2015 called "Ben Collins: Stunt Driver." This film centered around the person responsible for "The Stig's" earlier form, Ben Collins, trying to find the perfect stunt car. It shows that Phil Keen is also willing to be involved in projects that celebrate the craft of driving and the entertainment side of motorsports, which is, you know, a fun connection to his past roles.

What is Phil Keen Doing Now?

So, you might be wondering what Phil Keen is up to these days. Well, he is still very much a part of the racing world. He continues to compete as a British GT Championship driver, and as we've already discussed, he is considered to be the most successful one, with all those wins and pole positions. He is currently competing in the European Le Mans Series for a team called JMW Motorsport, which shows he's still very active on the professional circuit, pushing himself and his car to the limits, which is, you know, pretty cool.

As for "Top Gear," there isn't a current version of the show running in the same way there once was. This means that, naturally, there isn't a "current Stig" either. However, it's a known fact that the very last person to hold that mysterious role was indeed Phil Keen. So, there you have it: from 2010 until the show's final episode in 2022, the person in that iconic white suit was, actually, Phil Keen. It marks a particular period in the show's history, and his time as "The Stig" is now a part of that story.

He is, you know, yet another British racing driver who truly made a name for himself. He "cut his teeth" in the sport, meaning he gained his experience and developed his skills through hard work and dedication on the track. His journey from a young person with an interest in architecture to a highly successful racing driver and a famous, albeit masked, television personality is quite a remarkable one, showing how varied a life can be.

Phil Keen - A Legacy on the Circuit

When we think about Phil Keen's standing in the racing world, it's clear he has built a very strong legacy. At 40 years old, he continues to be a formidable presence as a racing driver. His status as the most successful driver in British GT history is a significant achievement, something that sets him apart. It's a record that speaks to his enduring skill, his strategic thinking on the track, and his sheer determination to win. You know, that kind of consistent performance is really hard to maintain over many years.

His career on the track spans two decades, a truly long and successful run. This kind of longevity in a demanding sport like professional racing is a sign of true talent and a deep passion for what he does. The fact that he has maintained such a high level of competition for so long is, you know, very impressive. It takes a lot of dedication, a lot of training, and a lot of focus to stay at the top of your game for so many years.

Some people might playfully say things about "The Stig" that are a bit silly, like the old joke about only knowing two facts about ducks and both being wrong. But what we now know for sure is that the person behind the mask for a significant period was indeed Phil Keen. This revelation has added another layer to his public persona, connecting him not just to his racing achievements but also to a beloved piece of television history. It's a pretty unique combination of accomplishments, you know, for one person to have.

The Unmasking of Phil Keen

The story of "The Stig's" identity has always been one surrounded by a good deal of mystery and public curiosity. For a long time, the person in the white suit remained anonymous, adding to the show's appeal. However, the secret about the final "Stig" eventually came to light in a rather public way. It was a moment that many fans of "Top Gear" had been waiting for, you know, for quite some time.

On September 13th, 2024, Jeremy Clarkson, who was a key figure in "Top Gear" for many years, held a question and answer session. This event took place after a screening of "The Grand Tour: One for the Road." During this Q&A, Clarkson made a very clear confirmation: he stated that the third "Stig" was, in fact, Phil Keen. This public declaration finally put an end to years of whispers and theories, giving a name to the driver who had been a secret for so long. It was, you know, a pretty definitive moment.

This revelation connected Phil Keen even more strongly to the legacy of "Top Gear." The original "Stig" was Perry McCarthy, followed by Ben Collins, and then, as Clarkson confirmed, Phil Keen took on the role. This lineage of drivers, each contributing to the mysterious character, is a significant part of the show's history. Phil Keen's time as the final "Stig" means he holds a special place in the story of this very popular motoring program, which is, you know, quite an honor.

Phil Keen Driving School

Phil pictured in 2014 at The Alamo Museum in Texas - where he donated

Phil Keen | Pomona College in Claremont, California - Pomona College

RapidNewsline

Phil Keen - The Story Of A British Racing Driver

Table of Contents

A Look at Phil Keen's Life and Career

What Makes Phil Keen a Standout Racer?

Phil Keen's Time Behind the Wheel of the White Suit

How Did Phil Keen Become the Stig?

Beyond the Track - What Else Has Phil Keen Done?

What is Phil Keen Doing Now?

Phil Keen - A Legacy on the Circuit

The Unmasking of Phil Keen

Detail Author:

Socials

twitter:

linkedin: