About YMMC
Ystrad Mynach Motor Club is a young and vibrant Motor Club based in South Wales, UK. We have a rich history and are proud to be one of the UK’s oldest Motor Clubs.
Fuel Your Passion – Join Ystrad Mynach Motor Club and Get in the Action!
Our Motorsports Club
Ystrad Mynach Motor Club brings passionate motorsport enthusiasts together, sparking excitement and lively discussions.
While many of our members are actively involved in rallying, we embrace all forms of motoring and motorsport. From training and guidance for newcomers to hands-on event support and competition participation, we cover every aspect of the sport.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or just starting your motorsport journey, Ystrad Mynach Motor Club is the perfect place to fuel your passion!
The YMMC Autotest
In recent years, we’ve established a regular Autotest event at Bryn Quarry in Gelligaer, which has now become a staple in our calendar. Held twice a year, this exciting competition features multiple classes, including Rally Cars, Road Cars, and Quad Bikes, offering a thrilling challenge for participants of all skill levels.
Club Nights
We meet on the first Tuesday of every month at the Ye Olde Royal Oak, Ystrad Mynach. Anyone is welcome on our club night, so come along and tuck into a sandwich while we talk about motor sport.
Some weeks we have special events such as navigational exercises, marshal training, quizzes, games and treasure hunts.
Club History A Legacy of Motorsport Excellence
Originally founded as The 850 Club, interest quickly grew, attracting enthusiasts with a variety of cars. In 1963, it officially became Ystrad Mynach Motor Club (YMMC) and affiliated with the RAC Motor Sport Association. As the club expanded, it began organising road rallies, stage rallies, and autotests.
The club’s first road rally, the Ides of March Rally, became a popular fixture in the Welsh Road Rally Championship for many years. Its biggest achievement came in 1981 when it was included in the Motoring News National Road Rally Championship. Another fan-favorite, the Witches Brew Rally, transitioned in 1995 from a modern car event to a classic car rally, joining the Welsh Historic Road Rally Championship.
Today, YMMC continues to thrive, boasting a strong community of drivers, navigators, and marshals competing and winning across multiple championships. Recent champions include:
- Callum Black & Paul Wakely – Dulux Trade MSA British Rally Championship (BRC) Challenge winners.
- Alex Allingham & Mark Glennerster – 2010 Dulux Trade MSA Ancro Production Cup & Subaru Cup double champions.
With a proud history and an exciting future, Ystrad Mynach Motor Club remains at the heart of Welsh motorsport.
YMMC has produced many successful rally competitors. Notable champions include:
- Peter Vaughan – Three-time Welsh Road Rally Champion Driver (1980, ’81, ’82).
- Peter Watts (1982) & Alun Cook (1993) – Welsh Road Rally Navigator Champions.
- Neil Jones – A standout competitor in the ex-Tony Pond TR7 V8, securing wins in both Welsh and Motoring News events.
- Dennis Quinn & Alun Cook – Welsh Championship class winners (1993).
- Peter Watts & Alister Sutherland – National Championship winners (1986) in a Metro 6R4. Watts also won the Manx National Rally and competed in the Welsh International Rally with Mark Lovell.
- Alun Cook – Multiple class wins at National and International levels, including the 2006 Wales Rally GB alongside Julian Reynolds.
One of YMMC’s most notable members was Mike “Beef” Park, a talented co-driver from Herefordshire who rose to the top of the World Rally Championship (WRC). Tragically, he lost his life during the 2005 Wales Rally GB, but he remains a beloved figure in the club and the rallying community.
Want to Join The Club?
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or new to motorsport, Ystrad Mynach Motor Club welcomes all enthusiasts. Get involved in events, connect with like-minded members, and fuel your passion for rallying. Join us today!