The History Of The RAC

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