The first Dukeries Motor Club Annual General Meeting since the Covid-19 restrictions prevented the AGM being held in April 2020, was held at Mansfield Rugby Club on 22nd July 2021. A reasonable turnout of members attended the AGM to hear reports from the Chairman and Treasurer and to approve the 2020 DMC accounts.

The following members were elected for 2021/2022: –

• Chairman – Paul Rees
• Secretary – Bob Draper
• Treasurer – Howard Wilcock (Vice President)
• Committee members include – David Baugh (Vice President), Simon Hall, Andy Smith, Bob Berry, Pete Butler, Steve Gascoigne. A further 2 members will be co-opted onto the Committee at the first meeting in August.

The Annual General Meeting saw David Baugh standing down as Club Chairman after more than 8 years in the post.  During his tenure as Chairman, David has overseen the club running major rally championship events, the celebration of the clubs 60th anniversary in 2014, the Dukeries Rally celebrating its 60th consecutive running in 2019 and major changes to the format of some of the clubs events.

David was instrumental in the club obtaining agreement with the then owners of Donington Park to enable us to run a stage rally at the circuit in 2015, which was then expanded to running two events per year at the venue. He has continued to maintain our working relationship with MSV, the current lease holders of the circuit, since they took over in 2018. David has also chaired most of the organising team meetings associated with our events and undertaken many event roles including Chief Marshal, Deputy Clerk of Course and Safety Officer.

David has often represented the Club at both the East Midlands Association of Motor Clubs (EMAMC) and the Association of North East Midlands Motor Clubs (ANEMMC). During David’s time as Chairman the club has won a number of awards including the EMAMC Club Championship 7 times in the last 8 years. The Dukeries Rally also won the ‘EMAMC best event’ in 2019.

Over the years David’s vast experience in the sport has also been sought by other clubs and organisers. This includes his role as a Stage Commander on Rally GB at spectator stages varying from the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to the Great Orme at Llandudno. He has also been a Stage Commander on the Corbeau Seats Clacton closed road rally since its inception in 2018.

We are very grateful for all the time and dedication that David has given to Dukeries Motor Club, especially during his 8 years as Club Chairman, and are pleased that he will be remaining on the Club Committee and continue to contribute his knowledge and expertise.

The photo shows David (top left) along with other Dukeries members at the EMAMC awards presentation in January 2019