KEITH STEWART,

the outright winner of the infamous Redex Trail of 1954 and a versatile racer of the era, passed away in his Sydney home on 5th August, aged 84. Stewart was part of the strong Central MCC that boasted many of the big names in the sport in the 1950s. A top dirt track rider at the many circuits that dotted outer Sydney in the post war years, Keith had strong connections to A.P. North, the NSW Matchless distributors, and in late 1954 obtained one of the new Matchless G45 twin cylinder production racers which he rode with considerable verve until a serious accident at Mount Druitt in 1955 left him with injuries that forced his retirement from the sport. He remained connected with motorcycle racing through the exploits of his children and until recently attended the annual NSW Motorcycling Old Timers Dinner.

At the finish of the grueling Redex Trial in 1954, where he completed the course without loss of points, Keith Stewart is pictured with his mother and finance and future wife Monica.

Keith Stewart at Parramatta Park in 1954.