...:: The History Of The RAC
..:: The History Of The RAC by Mark
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!
 |
|
..:: About the Author:
Mark is webmaster for RAC Breakdown Cover also Driving Experience and Mobile Phone Deals
..:: Previous The Garage Articles:
 |
Beating the Speed Cameras at their Own Game! By Gary Prestwich
Beating the Speed Cameras at their Own Game!
With more than 3 million motorists being caught by speed cameras, it is little wonder that Britain's motorists are becoming more and more desperate to find ways to avoid the inevitable three points and £60 fine.
Unfortunately, speed cameras are not ...
The Garage > Beating the Speed Cameras at their Own Game! |
|
Electric-powered Engine in F1? By Alfred Johnson
On 2006 Formula 1 engines slimmed to 2.4 liters and a massive multi-million dollar spending on their research. Yesterday a plan for an electric-powered formula 1 racing car was revealed. It would compete against the world's fastest cars at speeds of more than 180 mph.
The engine it will be an ele...
The Garage > Electric-powered Engine in F1? |
|
The History Of The AA By Mark
The Automobile Association, which is now more commonly known as the AA was formed in London on the 29th June 1905 and believe it or not was a club originally formed to avoid speed traps.
Since then like the RAC, the AA has been at the forefront of motoring development. Even as early as 1906 the A...
The Garage > The History Of The AA |
|
The History Of The RAC By Mark
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...
The Garage > The History Of The RAC |
|
Volvo YCC Concept Car Receives 2006 Swedish Design Award By Kenneth McKinley
The Volvo YCC Concept Car has been one of those concept cars ever created that has certainly grabbed the attention not only of automobile enthusiasts and fans but also of organizations that try to look at exemplary and exceptional designs. That is most certainly why the Volvo YCC Concept Car receive...
The Garage > Volvo YCC Concept Car Receives 2006 Swedish Design Award |
|
Ford Appreciation? By Florence S. Battle
You only have to read the newspaper to know that Ford Motor Company is in financial difficulty worldwide. It has recently hired Mr. Kenneth Leet to ‘evaluate the business’ according to its CEO, William Clay Ford, Jr. Perhaps they could have saved his salary and just spoken with some of us who own ...
The Garage > Ford Appreciation? |
|
Car Hire Worldwide with The Car Hire Group By Chris Fryer
A trip full of smiles
Traveling is one of the most important activities of mankind and one that has fascinated humankind from times immemorial. With the amazing technological transformations that transportation has undergone today, traveling to the different parts of the world hardly takes an eff...
The Garage > Car Hire Worldwide with The Car Hire Group |
|
POWER BAY
MOTORING LOOPHOLES
|
