Taking care of families in the racing community stricken by accident, misfortune and grief.
The Doghouse Owners’ Club was founded in the “swinging sixties”; a golden era for motor racing when drivers and team owners could indulge in the sport.
The brainchild of the wives of British Grand Prix drivers, under the chairmanship of Sheila Van Damm. The founding committee were Mrs Colin Chapman, Mrs John Cooper, Mrs Gregor Grant, Mrs Graham Hill and Mrs John Webb. These formidable women decided to group around what was primarily a Charitable cause; taking care of those families in the racing community stricken by accident, misfortune and grief.
The 1960s was a dangerous era for motor racing and in these early years many accidents involved fuel fires. The danger became very personal for the most current President of the Club, Shirley Procter whose husband Peter was injured by fire in 1966. At the time, Shirley took great comfort from the support given by her Doghouse Owners’ Club fellow-women.
The Club, formally registered as The Women’s Motor Racing Associates Club, became known in motor racing circles by its familiar name ‘The Doghouse Owners’ Club’. An historic institution that was behind the infamous Doghouse Charity Balls held at The Savoy, The Dorchester and the Hilton on Park Lane – raising significant sums for Charity.
Where does the name Doghouse Owner’s Club come from? read more