W.A.C History
April 25TH 1934 the first meeting of the Co-op Motorcycle and Light car club held at the emplovee's social club, high St Worcester.
At that meeting, it was proposed that this club should be re- christened as the Worcester Auto Club. a vote followed and passed unanimously! What was to follow being the start of one of the most successful and longstanding motorcycle clubs in the country.
The W.A.C. went on to organise and promote reliability runs, motorcycle sport in all forms, trials riding, grass track racing, road racing, motocross, and moto ball along with a social event named bachelor evenings? All for a yearly subception of 3/6 or 17.5p.
Worcester Auto Club and the Manx GP
Courtesy of Jeremy Doughty
Worcester Auto Club founded in 1934 has always been an eclectic mix of motorcyclist. Road Riders, Commuters, Scramblers, Trials Riders, Moto-Baller Players, Grass Trackers and Road Racers, all are welcome. Down the years, the Club has organised events for all disciplines and has supported its members in their various events around the world.
No event had a greater place in the hearts of WAC members than those run over the mountain circuit over the years. Junior TT winner, local man Eric Williams joined the club at its formation and many followed him to the island down the vears. Roger Haddock, Johnny Evans, Dave Bevan, Matin Orgee, Johnathan Parks, Steve Crawford, Nick Winters to name iust a few. Indeed, in its halcyon days, the Club decided that as a matter of policy to pay the entry fee for all Manx Grand Prix competitors.
Some of the highlights over the years
In 1947 Bob Pratt who went on to be Chairman and longtime President of the Club finished 2nd in the Clubman's Junior TT. 1989, WAC Chairman. Chris East riding in the Senior Classic Manx GP on the same 4 speed, standard Matchless G50 he had ridden in the 60's, signed up new members John Goodall and Bob Hirst, going on to win the Club award in the senior race. A feat they repeated a year later! Chis lapped at over 97mph on what was essentially a very old standard and noisv Matchless being revered by all. n 1991 after many vears trving (starting at the 1961 TT) Gillie Potter finally managed a finish at the Manx in the lightweight Classic. In 1998 Adam Woodall recorded the first ever 134mph lap..... illegally as it turned out, having pulled of the course during practice for the MPG at Bagarrow only to re-join the course and "tour" back at Brandywell.
The Club did not just cater for two wheels, as the three wheelers often put the rest in the shade. But then when your club boasts a 10 times TT winner Mick Boddice and later Phil Dongleworth among the membership, it's hardly surprising!
Mick took the prestigious annual award for the best performance by a club member on the mountain course for a number years and ...... by some margin
It was from this background that a new generation of WAC competitors set about their own visits to the island in the late 80,s. Armed by the whispers of the wise old men of the Club. Club nights watching Mick Grant's "You're on your own" Ray Knight's book "Trophy Riders Guide" we set about our entries.
We. Steve and Mick Potter, Steve Platts, Martin Hewlett, Steve "Flash'" Gorden and I, all committee members in our own right (Mick, being like his father, an Auto Club Chairman) Achievements? Only Plattsy managed to make a name for himself in the island having finished 5th in the newcomers and going on to compete in two more MGP's. Marin H went on to finish a Senior TT, collecting the award from another Club visitor Geoff Duke. Flash was so embarrassed by his failure to get to the start line; he emigrated to Australia.
The Potter brothers, like myself failed to finish our newcomers MPG outing in the newcomers Manx in 94 and I went on to crash out of a few TT's
Did you know? The Manx Newcomer winner from 1986 went on to work in Worcestershire after his famous win and became a member of the Worcester Auto Club before his TT rides in 1987. So, Jim Hunter, ex Worcester Auto Club Secretary can get a venerable mention here too.
Jeremy's article, appeared in the Manx Grand Prix Riders Association Newsletter. July 2014
With the advent of WW2 motorcvcling for pleasure or sport was put on hold, with petrol supply restricted due to rationing. However, at the end of hostilities, the club resumed with ever increasing members. a larger venue was required from its then present location of the St Johns cvcle club. This came in the form of an abandoned shower block in 1953 on the site the former RAF Perdiswell air field. which the war office had reauisitioned in 1937. Despite its extremely dilapidated condition, being left dormant since its de-commissioning in 1945, its members manv ex -service men and women, came together to progressively convert this utility to a welcoming meeting place for motorcyclist of all interest.
Continuing to the present day, with on- site motorcycling training for the beginner, regular bike meets, welcoming riders from far and wide, plus being the longstanding checkpoint and resting place for those taking part in the annual National Rally.
