Motocross has always been a sport that is very similar to one big family and last week, our sport lost one of the most respected men in that big family. I think a lot of hearts were broken at the end of last week, when three-time world motocross champion, Dave Thorpe mentioned that his beloved father, Keith had passed away.

Keith was obviously side by side with Dave as he rode roughshod through the 1980s, picking up GP win after GP win and those three 500cc titles, beating the like of Eric Geboers, Georges Jobe, Andre Malherbe, Hakan Carlqvist and many more legends along the way.

I have spoken to Dave on occasion about his relationship with his dad, the respect he had for his father and the times they spent together, be it at the motocross, speedway, or in the workshop. It was a relationship built on respect and love, and I always admired how Dave spoke about his father and if you followed Dave on social media, you saw enough of their times together, going for a coffee or a family gathering.

Another thing I respect immensely about Dave (Thorpe) is his respect for people in general, but what really impressed me, was the fact he attended the funerals of fellow legends Eric Geboers, Georges Jobe and Andre Malherbe and how Dave spoke of these three Belgians. All gone too soon and despite their careers being 40 years ago, Dave Thorpe put in the effort, without a seconds doubt he had to be there to say goodbye to his dear old friends.

Now, the most difficult times are ahead for Dave (Thorpe), and I for one wish him all the love in the world and hope he can send his father off in the manner that he deserves.

The respect that Dave has for people in general, and for his career rivals, is a respect he learnt from his father, and so many more lessons about life along the way, I am sure.

The message Dave sent out last week, you can see below.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share the devastating news that my dad, Keith “The Colonel” Thorpe, has passed away on Wednesday 10th June.

I’m struggling to find the words because losing him has left a hole in my life and that of our family that can never be filled. To so many people, Keith was one of the greatest motocross mechanics around — a man whose knowledge, skill, and passion for the sport earned him respect wherever he went. But to me, he was simply Dad.

He was my guide, my support, my teacher, and one of my best friends. The lessons he taught me, the memories we made, and the love he gave will stay with me forever. I am so proud to be his son and proud of everything he achieved and the lives he touched along the way.

The messages, stories, and memories people have already shared are a testament to the incredible man he was. Knowing how much he meant to so many people brings comfort during this heartbreaking time.

Dad, thank you for everything. I would give anything for one more conversation, one more laugh, and one more day with you. You will be missed more than words can ever say, but you will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Dad.

Dad/Grandad/Great Grandad/Keith “The Colonel” Thorpe 💔

Forever loved. Forever in our hearts.

Doc Wobbly – Respect for Keith Thorpe

Now, I didn’t know Keith Thorpe that well, I mean, I have worked in the industry for many years and during the years I covered the 125cc world championship, we might have had the odd chat. Keith always came across as a perfectionist, but what I have taken out of my time in the sport, and my occasional contact with Dave (Thorpe), was the love he had for his father and it was something I respected a lot, as I had a similar relationship with my dad, who passed away in 2009.

Anyone who has lost a father, or mother, knows the pain. There is no worse pain, apart from maybe losing a child and I think anyone who knows Dave Thorpe, even a little, like I do, knows that he is hurting and it’s a hurt that will never leave him, he will just learn to deal with it.

Somebody who did know Keith Thorpe, and saw him as a role model, was former GP mechanic Doc Wobs. Weirdly enough, I was with Doc in Italy when my father passed away and remember sitting with him talking about the empty feeling I had. He had also lost his father, and he, like I, and like Dave (Thorpe) had to deal with the grieving and the sadness of not seeing your dad again.

Doc wrote this tribute to Keith Thorpe on his social media page.

“After the news Dave Thorpe announced last week about the passing of “The General” Keith Thorpe it’s taken a few days to get my head around it. KT was the inspiration for me to start on the career path of being a race mechanic, standing behind Keith at that epic 1985 GP at Farleigh Castle I had an epiphany- that was it, that’s what I want to do.

“Keith was an inspiration to a generation of us all trying to get a peek into the HRC awning to see Keith systematically prep the mighty 500 - all the time wearing immaculate white gloves.

“I have these two pictures in my office as I had told the late Simon Mitchell of my great admiration for Keith and how down to earth, friendly and helpful he always was ( they say never meet your heroes) so Simon went to the Devon workshops and took these photos, then back to get them signed , unfortunately he passed before he could present them to me but his family gave them to me at a VMXdN -so, so kind.

“Keith will leave a void in the mx community, I can’t imagine how DT, Ryan and the rest of the family are coping with such a loss. Godspeed kid.”