Welcome to the HOVAC website
Heads of the Valleys Auto Club (HOVAC) was first formed in the early 1980s by some very local, but dedicated motoring enthusiasts. The club soon became large enough to move to The Brewery Club at Rhymney. This venue has been large enough for the club to hold some larger audience functions, and events, and HOVAC have been welcomed there with open arms.
During the eighties, the HOVAC organised The 1000 Lanes Rally, and several other stage events such as The Stonehouse Stages and The Rokel Engineering Stage Rally. HOVAC also assisted with the organisation of the Welsh International Rally at that time, which was the forerunner of The Wales Rally GB. At this time HOVAC were considered to be one of the best clubs in South Wales.
Unfortunately, due to R.A.C.M.S.A. restrictions to road rallying, and several other setbacks at the time, the club made a decision to disband. There were numerous occasions when friends asked for the club to reform during the nineties, but then in 2004 there was a HOVAC reunion when original club member Neil Gurner organised a one-off reunion. Several of the original club members decided it would be an excellent idea to re-start the club, to meet in the original premises, and so the club was reborn. HOVAC now meets every Thursday evening at the Old Brewery Club (161. 111/078), in Rhymney.
HOVAC has close to 100 members on our books at present, with approximately 50 members attending the club nights regularly each week. We also have a fantastic mix of expertise from past and present, and it is our intention to encourage younger members to the club, who have intentions of involving themselves in motor sport.
We regard ourselves as a family motor club, with a membership that embraces families and children. We have had two very young Welsh Champions within our membership, and HOVAC considers the routes that they have taken to get this far as worthwhile and progressive for their futures within the sport.
We hope to be able to provide opportunities, and offer assistance, as well as expertise to our membership, in a very wide range of involvement in motor sport, whether it be organising, marshalling, competing, officiating, or even "mature spectating". We will endeavour to continue to maintain good links with neighbouring clubs, and organise inter club competitions, that will assist in generating the camaraderie in motor sport that our club and The Welsh Association of Motor Clubs (WAMC) will be proud of, while strengthening and broadening our links with other clubs.
HOVAC is aware of the importance of "laying foundations" for responsibility and accountability within it’s membership. From the outset, our member have insisted on strict guidelines for the membership, in maturity, and professionalism, when there is a representation by our members on events, and it is with this in mind, that new members are considered before membership is accepted. We currently have a varied membership, with interests covering road rallying, tarmac stage rallying, forestry stage rallying, karting and marshalling on local, national and international events. The club has an active membership both in terms of competing and marshalling on events and in organising club night events, and the Braces Bakery 1000 Lanes Road Rally. We are a family friendly club, and welcome new members to join us to compete, marshal or just share our love of motor sport.
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1000 Lanes Rally
Contact Details
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