Woolbridge Motor Club recently celebrated its sixty-fifth anniversary and continues to offer members a broad range of motorsport disciplines. Over the years, this has included organising the National Autocross Championships. Today, members can take part in grass autotests, navigational rallies and 4×4 trials, alongside car trials and speed hill climbs which are both held at both National and British Championship level.
Car trials and autotests have always been at the heart of the South Dorset-based club. Trials enjoy strong support throughout the winter months, while the autotest calendar comes alive in the summer, with popular Friday evening events held on smooth grass surfaces. Both disciplines giving drivers the chance to explore both their own capabilities and those of their standard road-going cars in a welcoming, competitive environment.
In recent years, a vibrant core of young drivers, some from just 14 years of age, has brought fresh energy to these grassroots events. Their presence has strengthened the club’s social dynamic and raised the competitive atmosphere. However, this has not happened by accident. Within the car trials community, Woolbridge runs two dedicated ‘Taster Trials’ each season, designed to encourage new and young drivers to get behind the wheel. The club supports these members by operating two loan/academy cars, currently a Mazda MX5 and a Toyota Yaris, available throughout the season.
Following the success of this initiative, former British Car Trials Champions Tim Dovey and Mark Hoppé have been proactive in ensuring the momentum has been maintained. In addition to enjoying the sport himself, Tim witnessed first-hand how his children Charlie and Evie relished the experience leading him to procuring more cars to enable his friends and their children to join the fun. Meanwhile Mark has invited newcomers to share drives in his Suzuki Alto currently tutoring Regional Kart Racing champion Mason Turner.
That spirit of experienced drivers supporting emerging talent is equally evident in speed hill climbs. During 2025, Chris Briant, an Approved Driving Instructor and Track Day Advisor, invited his great-nephew Thomas, who had just celebrated his fourteenth birthday, to take the wheel of his 1400cc MG ZR. Thomas went on to compete in the final three sprints of the season. Fifteen-year-old Henri Gosney also made his mark, claiming the Under 23 Driver Award in the Tillicoultry Quarries Championship at the East Devon venue. He completed the season in a 1360cc Suzuki Swift shared with James Grant.
The strength of this young talent pool continues. At just 22 years old, Charlie Dovey was crowned Motorsport UK British Car Trials Champion for 2025. His sister Evie, aged 18, secured both the Best Under 23 and Best Women awards in the club’s Victor Ludorum Championship – a series spanning all the disciplines the club promotes. Fellow Renault Clio driver Archie Reeve also claimed Best Under 23 in the Autotest Championship, alongside a second-place finish in the Bronze League for beginners in the Car Trials Championship.
If you’re just starting your motorsport journey, now is the time to get involved. Contact Woolbridge Motor Club and discover how you can be part of it.
Woolbridge Motor Club is celebrating 65 years of grassroots motorsport, with autotests and car trials at its heart. From summer evening events to winter trials, the Club blends competition with community and a new generation of young drivers is leading the charge. With academy cars and dedicated taster events, it’s never been easier to get involved.
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