Steve Mackenney - Mechanic

Following his school days, Steve trained as a builder, but in his spare time was a Driver in the Territorial Army, serving with the Royal Corps of Transport, specialising in HGV transport and motorcycle dispatch work. Over the next three years he served with his unit on Brigade exercises in Germany and Denmark, followed by a 6-month tour with the United Nations in Cyprus, where he was part of a team delivering food aid to refugees in the north of the country.

Following his UN tour, he transferred across to the Regular Army as a transport specialist, where he continued to work with and drive a wide range of vehicles from motorbikes to 100-ton tank transporters.

With a passion for motorsport, Steve built his own rally car and from this was selected to join the British Army rally team as service crew. Rallies were entered around the UK, as well as competing twice in the Icelandic rally.

Steve quickly moved up the ladder within the Army, becoming an HGV and off-road driving instructor and a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists. He was in charge of the servicing bay at one unit, responsible for the maintenance of 130 vehicles.

Following his military career, Steve returned to building work, but has an active interest in vehicle expeditions. He has led numerous multi-vehicle trips to the high Arctic and Sahara desert, as well as an aid convoy to Bosnia shortly after the war, where in addition to much needed supplies, a Land Rover Defender was delivered to a mine-clearing charity to assist with their work.

Other roles have included support truck driver for the BAR Formula 1 team and volunteering his time for an independent Land Rover specialist where he honed his mechanical skills. He has been the owner of 13 Land Rovers, mainly Defenders and Discoverys, which he has modified for expedition work.

Having served in the Armed Forces, driving in numerous long-distance military convoys, as well as having led many vehicle expeditions, Steve is well-versed on what is required for this record-attempt. He brings a wealth of experience to the team.

Blogs by Mac Mackenney