Max McCrae winner of Rally North Wales 2026

Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club (WSSCC) is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. As one of the oldest motor clubs still in existence, the club is proud to host three different British Championship events annually.

WSSCC’s headline events are strongly supported by two long-standing British Championship competitions — the Staffordshire Knot Auto-Test and the Gabby Mohr Car Trial — both of which have run continuously for 55 years.

Grassroots and low-cost motorsport remain a key focus for the club, helping them cater to competitors of all experience levels. WSSCC organises several club-level events, including all-forwards Auto-tests, 12-car rallies and scatter rallies. The club is also part of the StreetCar initiative, helping connect newcomers with opportunities to begin their motorsport journey.

Behind the scenes, the club is powered by a dedicated group of volunteers whose enthusiasm and hard work help events run smoothly and to a consistently high standard. Many members also marshal at events across the country, with some becoming key figures in the organisation and running of events for other clubs.

Paul Price from the club commented:
“Like most clubs, we have recognised that our membership needs constant attention in order to keep the numbers up and the average age down. To this end, we have appointed our own Club Development Officer who has been working on a project to introduce motorsport to Further Education (FE) establishments and share our experience and knowledge at both club and international levels.”

The project is already showing great promise, with WSSCC offering support and guidance to help individuals progress through their motorsport journey.

The club is also encouraging the next generation to get involved behind the scenes through its new programme, Insight, which highlights opportunities in event organisation and club operations.

Paul added:
“We believe that communication and inclusivity are key in creating an environment that gives our membership what they want from a motor club. We try to help in as many ways as we can by sharing our experience and knowledge, right from initially building or adapting a car, to competing, navigating/co-driving, organising, marshalling or even joining a recovery or rescue team.”

Rally North Wales, promoted by the club, was first run in 1958 as the Express and Star Rally. Starting in the centre of Wolverhampton, the event attracted many of the era’s best-known rally drivers, including Pat Moss driving a Saab.

This year, the rally was once again proud to be a round of the Fuchs Lubricants Motorsport UK British Historic Rally Championship, the Protyre Auto Care BTRDA Rally Series, Pirelli Motorsport UK Welsh Rally Championship, West Wales Rally Spares Stage Masters, MINI Rally Challenge and the ANWCC Forest Rally Championship.

As with any event with such a rich history, Rally North Wales has evolved over time. One of the club’s most recent innovations has been its work alongside Natural Resources Wales on sustainability initiatives. In 2023, WSSCC launched a programme visiting schools near the rally route to promote the event, highlight its benefits to the local community, and plant trees to demonstrate the club’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Year after year, these events have helped shape the club’s history and heritage — something WSSCC values deeply.
“We know that this can never be repeated and realise just how precious it is to protect and indeed add to this legacy.”

The club also celebrates its community through an annual awards evening, recognising long-standing achievements while raising money for local charities.

To mark its 75th anniversary, Wolverhampton and South Staffordshire Car Club will host a special social event at the end of June. The evening will give members past and present the opportunity to reconnect, reflect on the club’s history, and celebrate its continued success. Further details can be found on the events page of the club’s website.

If you are based in the West Midlands and are looking to join an established and welcoming motor club with opportunities across all areas of the sport, WSSCC would encourage you to get involved and get in touch.