Regarded as one of the longest serving car clubs in Australia, the Western District Car Club (WDCC) has been providing all levels of motorsport to Victoria's west for almost eight decades.

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Motorsport Australia caught up with the WDCC Vice President Andrew Caddy to discuss the club. 



When and why was the club established?
The Western District Car Club was established in Geelong in 1946 by a small group of 10. At the time, there was no other car club in Geelong, and the name Western District Car Club was used because many members were from the Western District. The club was affiliated with the Light Car Club of Australia.

Where is the club at now with member base number and what is the range of members?
The club currently has 118 members with age ranging from teens to several life members in their 70's who are still actively competing.

What does the club focus on?
The club's focus is to provide a family-friendly environment with events ranging from grass-roots level motorkhanas, khanacrosses and autocross up to club and state-level rallies.

We have members including juniors, males and females competing in all disciplines of motorsport. The club has a junior development program and aims to encourage more women to take part in motorsport.

Other members also compete in hillclimb events, circuit, endurance and sprint - type tarmac events. We also offer club registration, but only to members genuinely interested in motorsport or by contributing to the club in another manner. WDCC is the title holder of the Avalon Motorsports complex, which incorporates the autocross track, motorkhana pad and off-road circuit. The complex is financially shared with the MG Car Club of Geelong, Geelong Off-road Buggy Association and the Geelong Motorsports club.

What is the club's biggest event every year and tell us about it?
The Ada River Rally, which is a round of the Motorsport Australia Victorian Rally Championship and Victorian Club Rally series. The event is held in the Yarra Valley and is very popular amongst competitors due to the quality of roads and excellent organisation. The Ada River Rally was awarded the Victorian Motorsport event of the year in 2019.

Photo: Bruce Keys

What makes the club unique?
Two things: It is the oldest motorsport club in Victoria (possibly Australia), and we own our own licensed track outright. 

What does it mean for the club to be affiliated with Motorsport Australia?
We are able to provide members with well-run events, under a framework of guidelines that provides fair and safe competition with insurance coverage. Motorsport Australia affiliation provides members with a competition licence and the ability to compete at a large range of events via other clubs, and provides training for officials such as Stewards, Scrutineers and event directors.

What has been a major highlight for the club over the past 12 months?
The club was successful in receiving a grant from Sport and Recreation via Motorsport Australia to purchase a tractor and slasher to maintain the property at Avalon. Recently, a major grant of $500,000 was approved which will be used to seal the motorkhana pad with bitumen and improve other facilities. The bitumen pad will provide all-weather capabilility to host events and will provide an income-stream when hired to other clubs. The Honourable John Eren MP made a visit to Avalon on 17 December to unveil the new Kubota tractor.



Are there any particular standout stories for club individuals and what they are?
Doug Edwards is a life member who devotes an enormous amount of his own time to maintain the Avalon complex. Doug is at the track every weekend either mowing grass or operating the grader to ensure the track is in top shape for events. Doug is also a regular competitor in autocrosses and khanacrosses and has been a member since 1963.

Dion Ware and his sons also devote a similar amount of time to maintenance at Avalon.

Brett Ross is event director for the Ada River Rally who had the vision and expertise to run the rally as a state championship event. In 2021 he was awarded life membership of WDCC in recognition of his efforts.

Graham Harrison is also a life member who over the past three years has devoted almost 20 hours per week working on documents and permits for the major grant. Graham was a regular Targa Tasmania competitor and recipient of a Targa plate.

Is there anything else you would like to add or highlight about the club?
Exciting times are ahead, so come and join us if you wish to be involved, all are welcome.