In the 1960s, women find themselves on the periphery of the Formula One circus. In a bid for solace and support, Bette Hill, wife of racing star Graham, decides to form a unique club for women to bear the intensity of this high-risk, high-octane chase for championship glory.

SYNOPSIS:

The women of Formula One, led by the tour de force Bette Hill, decide to set up a special club to help them endure the intensity, responsibility, and often tragedy of grand prix racing in the 1960s.

Bette is frustrated by her status quo. She is the rock of her family, but her life is dictated by her husband Graham, whose laissez-faire attitude to motor racing and parenthood means Bette must shoulder the burdens of both. At a pre-season test ahead of the 1962 Formula One season, it is clear that Graham and his BRM team are contenders for the title along with the Lotuses of Jim Clark and Stirling Moss. Bette must remain emotionally strong to keep Graham focused, but also detached enough to do her job for the team, despite the constant risk of death.

This risk hits home hard when during the Glover Trophy at Goodwood, Stirling Moss suffers a severe crash and is knocked into a coma. The competitor in Bette is relieved that one of Graham’s main rivals is out of the picture, but the wife in her fears Graham will kill himself pursuing the championship, especially as it becomes clear that Jim Clark and his Lotus team are competing with a revolutionary new car.

On the eve of the new season, Graham and Bette attend a party hosted by Jack Brabham, who is celebrating the founding of his own team. Supporting Jack is his wife Betty. She and Bette talk and Bette realises she is not alone in dealing with the hardships of being a Formula One wife. Bette suggests the women start a club as a haven, something for themselves that can’t be sacrificed for the sake of competition. The women meet to discuss how a club might support them, but they fail to agree on anything. They cannot even settle on a name.

The idea of a women-only club becomes favourable at the opening race of the season at Zandvoort as Hazel Chapman, wife of Lotus owner Colin, has worked long nights supporting Colin’s efforts to get their new car ready. Likewise Betty Brabham has aided Jack’s ultimately futile efforts to prepare his first car for the season. Meanwhile Bette consoles Graham after he misses out on pole position, but qualifies ahead of Jim Clark’s new Lotus. The race is one of attrition as many drivers, including Jim Clark and Jack Brabham, retire. Graham battles with car problems to win his first ever race to prove he is a title challenger. As Graham celebrates with a woman on the podium, Betty jokes to Bette that he will be in the doghouse for his actions. Bette has an epiphany and decides the women’s organisation shall be called the Doghouse Club.

The closing scene offers a chilling reminder of the perils the drivers face to achieve victory as Stirling Moss lies in a coma in hospital. It is uncertain whether he will ever recover.

THE DOGHOUSE CLUB, PILOT