The Royal Automobile Club

General information

The Royal Automobile Club, Britain’s oldest and most influential motoring organisation was born out of a shared love of motoring and a dedication to preserving the rights and interests of motorists over 100 years ago.

Today the Club’s rich heritage is an intrinsic part of our country’s affection with the motor car.

Founded in 1897 by Frederick Richard Simms, the Club was awarded the Royal title by King Edward VII in 1907. From its inception the Club became instrumental in establishing motor sport in the UK: staging the country’s first major motor race, the Gordon-Bennett Cup in 1903. The Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy was founded in 1905 and is the world’s oldest surviving motor race. The Club staged the nation’s first Grand Prix at Brooklands circuit in 1926.

Today, the Club remains responsible for the Motor Sport Association, sanctioning body for all competition in the UK, and has also organised the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run on the first weekend in November since 1930. Since 2010 the London to Brighton Run has been twinned with the Future Car Challenge, a new event instigated by the Club to promote alternative fuel vehicle development and research, resulting in the spectacular new Regent Street Motor Show since 2011.

Since 1999 the Club began operating as a private member’s club. It combines two remarkable clubhouses, each of pronounced architectural distinction, offering an unrivalled range of services to members.