The Royal Automobile Club

MARTYN GODDARD THE HISTORY OF THE Royal Automobile Club dates back to the dawn of motoring, having been established in 1897 by the pioneering engineer and inventor Frederick Richard Simms, who is also said to have coined the words ‘petrol’ and ‘motorcar’.

Ten years later, in 1907, King Edward VII awarded the Club the Royal title that it still holds to this day, confirming its status as Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation.

Even in its early years the Club focused on promoting the motor car and its place in society. Following the successful 1000 Mile Trial in 1900, the Club held the first Tourist Trophy in 1905, which remains the world’s oldest continuously competed-for motor sport event. The Club promoted the first pre-war and post-war Grands Prix at Brooklands in 1926 and Silverstone in 1948, while continuing to campaign for the rights of the motorist.

It demerged from the motoring services recovery division (now the RAC) in 1999, and established the independent Motor Sports Association (MSA) to govern motor sport in the UK. The Club then refurbished its clubhouses, at Woodcote Park near Epsom and on London’s Pall Mall.

The Club continues to award a series of historic trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements, including the Segrave Trophy, Tourist Trophy, Simms Medal, Dewar Trophy and Torrens Trophy, as well as its annual Historic Awards.

Today, the Club retains a diverse membership from around the world, and offers two stunning clubhouses, a flourishing events programme, superb accommodation, plus dining, sports and golfing facilities. It continues to develop and support automobilism through representation on the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and RAC Foundation, while also promoting its own events such as the Regent Street Motor Show and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

LEFT Foyer of The Royal Automobile Club’s magnificent clubhouse on London’s Pall Mall.