A Short History of VMSC

The Victoria Motor Sports Club was formed in September of 1954 by 7 members of the Victoria Motorcycle Club who, not fomenting some kind of rebellion, wanted to start an organization for the new fangled sports cars that were popping up everywhere. The club held to its origins by integrating a chain-drive sprocket in its first design for a club badge. The wire wheel motif that it displays to this day came along much later.

Through the years it has held all manner of motorsport events. In addition to the gymhanas and slaloms that it now runs, VMSC has organized, acceleration trials, hillclimbs, at both Mount Douglas and Little Saanich Observatory, rallies, both Time/Speed/Distance and Special Stage, and even Trials event. The Trials were amongst the few, if any, to held outside the United Kingdom and involved climbing slippery up-hill courses in specially built cars. Scoring was done by how high the winning car could climb before coming to a stop on the grade.

From 1966 to 1982 VMSC hosted sports car races at the road circuit then existent at Western Speedway. The course, although short (.85 mile or 1.36 Km) was one of the fastest in the Puget Sound Basin with average lap speeds of 80 -85 MPH (128 -137 Kph). During the 20 minute races it was not at all unusual to complete 35 to 40 laps. If you did well at Western, YOU COULD DRIVE!

The club, although still seeking to reestablish a motorsports park in Vancouver Island maintains a cadre of approximately 10 race drivers who contribute their effort and experience to the club’s Driver Training program. A minimum of one school is scheduled in the spring with the option of up to two more through the summer as the interest dictates.

The club is open to all comers with any make or type of car. All that is required is an interest in having fun with cars.