Club History
The Ararat Amateur Cycling Club (now known as the Ararat & District Cycling Club Inc.) was re-formed (following it's disbandment) in 1967 by a group of cycling enthusiasts led by Mr Ken Trowell, some 15 people attended the inaugural meeting. One of those initial enthusiasts was Mr Ron Howlett who is the only founding member to continue without a break, remains a very dedicated member and our resident lap steward to this day.
The first President of the club was Mr Duncan Mac Lennan who was the driving force behind the clubs early success. In it's first year the club conducted road races only, the following year the committee decided to conduct a track season, which was held at Kokoda Park, where the riders raced on a dirt track. One of the first riders to join the club was Mr Brian Howlett. Brian joined in 1969 and has raced every year since as well as holding various positions on the committee over those years. The drive into the Velodrome has since been named in the Howlett family's honour.
Mr MacLennan was responsible for recruiting Mr Michael Thornbury into the clubs official ranks in 1968, where he served for some 21 years concurrently as Club Secretary as well as holding numerous other positions since then and is still an active and knowledgeable member of the club today. Mr Thornbury has always believed that the children are the future of the club and has always fought hard to ensure the clubs young members are a priority. The grandstand at the Velodrome is named in recognition of his tireless work and passion.
Mr MacLennan also thought it would be a great idea to race on a real Velodrome, like the ones in the city, so he proposed that the club construct one, and with only $1400 in the club account, the construction of the Velodrome commenced. The Velodrome was built by Mr Keith Hamilton with volunteer club labour, this included the manual shaping of the banks with picks, spades and mattocks. After running out of funds the committee approached the Ararat City Council for a grant of $1000, which they were granted, the council was only too happy to assist a club that was prepared to take on such a project. The club then set about holding numerous fundraising events to raise the remaining money required to complete the Velodrome such as; 12hour cyclathons, clearance sales, exhibitions at the Town Hall, rollathons, sheep manure, raffles and grape picking to name a few.
A regular at these working was Mr David Blackie, who joined the club in 1969. Mr Blackie is still a current member of the club and works tirelessly fundraising for the club and maintaining the beautiful grounds of the Velodrome, through his efforts the Velodrome is named in his honour.
Following it's completion, which took 3 years and $14,000, the Velodrome was opened by World Champion, Mr Sid Patterson, on March 2nd, 1974
Through the clubs commitment to junior racing, the club was instrumental in the introduction of "Midget Racing" for riders under the age of 10. The club won many district races and titles with their midget brigade.
During it's first 25 years the club was in the top five for registrations in Victoria on many occasions and still remains one of the most successful clubs in the state, producing numerous district, State and National Champions as well as riders who have successfully raced overseas.
Separate races for girls/women was another initiative of the club. In 1978 the club accepted an invitation to hold demonstration races for girls in Tasmania and again in 1979 in Adelaide and in doing so helped re-establish women's racing in those states.
The Ararat Track Open has been conducted since 1974 and is still one of the best track opens in the state, drawing strong support from the Ararat Business Community, it showcases our great complex to riders from across Victoria and interstate.
