Frederick Richard Simms and Charles Harrington Moore formed the RAC back in 1897, although at that point it was called the Automobile Club Of Great Briton. It was loosely based on the French version the Automobile Club de France, by copying their constitution. In those days, I would imaging even the most optimistic motorist could not image how the motorcar would change everyone's lives. By 1901 it had already started to employ the first uniformed patrolmen in Great Briton. In 1907 the Automobile Club of Great Briton got Royal approval and then became the Royal Automobile Club or the RAC as it became popularly known as. For many generations the RAC has been at the forefront of motoring, initially as patrolmen offering breakdown cover, to more modern times when all aspects of motoring are taken care of. In 1926, it organised the first British Grand Prix at Brooklands and by 1932, the RAC started a long relationship with motor sport in particular Rallying. In 1932, the RAC held its first RAC Rally. It covered over 1000 miles, although drivers all started from different points all heading to a finish at Torquay on the south coast of the UK. There were 367 entries of which finished 259 with an average speed of 25mph. By 1960 the starting point was Blackpool and the finishing point was Brands Hatch, covering over 2000 miles. Then in 1961, the forestry stages were introduced where high speeds could be achieved and where rallies were now won or lost and became the basis of how we understand rallying now. This was to expand to more recent times with the Network Q rally covering the whole of the UK as part of the World Series. It is now known as the Wales Rally GB. Unfortunately you no longer see the RAC sponsorship. There are many collectors and classic car enthusiasts who collect memorabilia from their early days. You often see a classic car with an old metal RAC badge on their grill, some take it more seriously and collect old RAC telephone boxes and motorcycles. This is of course is from their breakdown cover days, with motorcycle patrols and vans. Now everything is more technical, with major developments in communication and engineering. By the 1970's the RAC started to hit hard times and then by 1999 the breakdown recovery and other services were bought out totally by Aviva and are now called RAC services. However what I did not know until recently is that the Royal Automobile Club still survives. It may not offer any uniformed patrols anymore but is still a motoring club and is based at Pall Mall in central London and at Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey, It's a shame that RAC Services is pretty much an insurance organisation now and no longer is associated with a the history of motor sport and although publishes it opinions, can no longer can associate itself with the Royal Automobile Club as we know it. But it is good news that the Royal Automobile Club still survives and was not totally destroyed through bad times and still is connected with historical racing and events throughout the UK. Long may they stay! |
