HE’S the enigmatic racer whose identity was closely guarded by his famous crash helmet.

Now The Stig will take off his helmet as he attends a road safety charity’s conference as special guest.

Perry McCarthy, the original Stig on BBC’s Top Gear, will be the keynote speaker at the Daily Echo-backed Blue Lamp Trust’s annual conference this May.

The mystery behind who The Stig was got tongues wagging more than a decade ago with column inches devoted to his true identity.

McCarthy, who has raced in Formula Ford, Formula 3 and F3000, appeared as The Stig in 22 episodes of Top Gear in black racing gear and set lap times for cars tested on the show.

He ended his stint as the character in 2003.

He will attend the event at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue headquarters in East-leigh, which will see a reconstruction of firefighters cutting motorists free from the wreckage of a road traffic accident. Law firm Paris Smith will give a talk for employers called Avoiding Prosecution, which focuses on managing staff who drive for work.

The trust was set up by the police and the fire service to promote safety in the community. Profit from a range of driver training programmes is reinvested into the running of the Bobby Scheme, which provides home safety and security for the vulnerable and elderly across Hampshire.

Mark Bradford, general manager of the trust, said: “The Stig is known for his skill behind the wheel and his ability to master almost any vehicle. It is a rare opportunity to hear tales of burning rubber from an expert. For those of us less able behind the wheel, the other elements of our event should really help to focus minds on driving with care and ensuring businesses do everything possible to ensuring the safety of their staff and other road users.”

To reserve a free place at the event e-mail info@bluelamptrust.org.uk.