The Women's Motor Racing Associates Club (WMRAC)—affectionately
and widely known as the Doghouse Owners' Club—was officially founded on February
7, 1962.
Origins and Founding
·
The Brainchild: The club was formed by the wives, partners, and family members of
prominent British Grand Prix drivers and motorsport figures during the 1950s
and 1960s.
·
Founding Leadership: It was established under the chairmanship of racing driver and aviator Sheila
van Damm. The founding committee included influential women such as Hazel
Chapman (wife of Colin Chapman), Betty Brabham (wife of Jack Brabham), Bette
Hill (wife of Graham Hill), Eba Grant (wife of Gregor Grant), and Mrs. John
Cooper and Mrs. John Webb. How the Name "Doghouse" Came To Be:
The nickname came from a casual moment when Sir Jack Brabham was humorously
accused of being "in the doghouse" by his wife Betty and Bette Hill
for once again abandoning the dinner table to huddle in a corner talking motor
racing with competitors. The name stuck, reflecting the wry humor and shared experiences
of women supporting the sport behind the scenes. The club's logo also visually
mirrored the small wooden shelters used by drivers' wives in the pit lanes for
timekeeping during the 1960s.