The Welsh Racing Drivers Assocation - Its formation

WRDA Archive

The founding of the Welsh Racing Drivers Association- The WRDA was formed in late 1981. The late 70s’ and early 80s’ were a bleak time for Welsh racing. At the time there were only 2 venues for on track action, Llandow circuit and Pontypool Park Hillclimb. Without being unfair to both venues, even by the standards of the day, they could best be described as prosaic. However both held a fascination in the eyes of the public and there is a fund of funny stories associated with them both. In 1977 Tom Pryce, a driver who inspired many with his exploits in Formula One racing, died in the South African Grand Prix, and shortly afterwards Llandow lost it’s track license. Ponytpool lasted until 1980, and then sadly that too closed. This seemed to be the death knell for Welsh racing, all the National Clubs had departed back to their bases in England, and the only regional centre had closed.

Pembrey: The Welsh Racing Drivers Assocation plays a crucial part. - Founder member and current secretary Robert Allender recalls the origins of the WRDA. "I was convinced that a new initiative was needed and I approached other drivers of the day with a view to setting up a new club, which would work towards finding new venues in Wales. Luckily I found that there were many drivers and marshals who felt the same and we banded together to form the WRDA in September 1981. (Early Minutes) In late 1981 a letter from Sid Offord of BARC was recieved that confirmed a new start was needed.

The first task was to drum up support for the concept that, as England, Scotland & Ireland all had race-tracks, there should be at least one Welsh venue.

I approached the Sports Council for Wales and spoke to Roger Eady who agreed to help. We looked a posibilities at Builth Wells & Dinas Mawdwy, and Bryn Bach Park on the Heads of the Valleys, but all to now avail. Later the Park was built at Bryn Bach but there were no funds for the proposed racing circuit. (in 2014 another proposal for a racing curcuit in the same area seemed to running into similar problems!) However late in 1982 Roger Eday of the Sports Council for Wales, contacted us, as Llanelli Borough Council had purchased, the then derelict, Pembrey airfield.

The airfield had been used as a chicken farm by Ross Chickens, but had been abandoned and derelict chicken sheds littered the site.

We were invited to approach Llanelli Borough Council and put forward a case for establishing a racing circuit on the site. Fortunately we were able to convince them, and the rest is history. In July we had a first run-out at Pembrey & Barry Reece was confirmed as Chairman WRDA minutes re Pembrey 6-7-1983

But it was not all plain sailing; for more details see WRDA minutes 1982 to 1983.

Correspondence

Bryn Bach Park Circuit Proposal Dec 1982

Sports Council - Pembrey letter 26/11/82.

1982-3 1st Contacts re Pembrey

BRDA letter Pembrey January 1983.PDF

BRDA letter Pembrey April 1983.PDF

MSA letter Pembrey April 1983.PDF

Llanelli Borough Council re Pembrey May 1983.PDF

20th May 1983 Rallycross Press Day Pembrey Rallycross Press day + 1st event report

Wales Tourist Board letter re Pembrey May 1983.PDF

Tibbalds Letter reconsultations re Pembrey May 1983.PDF