February 23 2012 (Thursday)

History

The start

Saturday the 20th of May, 1972. Fifteen members of a fledgling organisation meet at the Victoria University Student Union Building to adopt the necessary rules to enable registration as an Incorporated Society. Three weeks later, certificate no. WIS 1972/65 from the Department of Justice is issued.

The Victoria University of Wellington Motorcycle Club (Inc) is born. But the beginnings of the club actually go back further than that, as Gerard Dobson once wrote:- "I think it was 1970 - I suppose we could check the records but it doesn't really matter - lets call it 1970 anyway."

From these small beginnings, the club grew to about 60 members by the end of the first year, and it was decided to apply for affiliation to the NZACU (now Motorcycling New Zealand). It was at the ACU conference that year that the most notable quote ever to be directed at the Vic Club was uttered by an ageing Hutt Valley club person:- "A bunch of long haired yobbo's that won't last!".But reason won through and the Vic Club was granted affiliation.

The club continued to grow and by 1976, membership had reached 210. By this time the accent had definitely started to move towards competition, especially road racing, but the same principles agreed to back in 1970 were still being applied - to cater for the needs of the ordinary, average motorcyclist, and to have fun in doing it.

By 1979, the club had grown to the point where it was almost imperative that a major prize money road race be held, and the second phase of the club started. From the beginnings of "Manfeild `79" came the "Shell Two Wheeler", Gracefield, Lyall Bay, and, more recently, the "Lambton Harbour Two Wheeler" held in January 1996.

Anthony McCarthy, Immediate Past President 1997

We are interested in getting more information from any members in the form of stories or history - good and bad as it all is part of who the club is. Contact us if you have anything at all.