Sunday 5 November

At dawn on Sunday 5 November, people dressed in period costume will ceremoniously tear a red flag in Hyde Park and a sea of veteran cars will begin their journey from capital to coast.

Saturday 4 November, 10.30am-4.00pm
Free to attend

A celebration of motoring’s past, present and future awaits visitors at the Regent Street Motor Show, which promises something for everyone. The show’s attractions will include displays of cars from the dawn of motoring, classic cars of yesteryear and modern day machines, including electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Not forgetting musical fun from the West End Kids.

On Monday 18 September, Club members visited Hethel in Norfolk, the epicentre of Lotus Cars, where they were treated to a behind-the-scenes factory tour.

The Goodwood Revival is one of the most popular events on the motorsport calendar and with several Royal Automobile Club members competing throughout the weekend, the Motoring Team was out in force to show its support.

To celebrate its 70th anniversary year, Ferrari invited 70 owners from the UK to join fellow drivers from across Europe on a special rally, culminating in Maranello, Italy – the home of the Prancing Horse.

Some say the Motoring Team has a knack of arranging for the sun to shine at Club events, and it certainly appeared that way for the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace last weekend (1 to 3 September).

On Thursday 31 August, the Cedar Lawn at Woodcote Park was graced by some of the most prestigious cars in the history of motorsport. Club members and their guests joined us to celebrate the diamond anniversary of the Jaguar D-type’s legendary finish at the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1957, which is still regarded as one of British motorsport’s greatest achievements.

An MP is finally attempting to tackle a problem that millions of drivers had hoped to see the government solve: rein in the worst excesses of the private parking firms.

Transport Tribulations

Here we have it; the latest version of the government’s strategy to tackle poor air quality caused by transport.

Running to 103 pages – not forgetting an accompanying technical report of 155 pages – the policy document is long on words but arguably short on concrete, cost-effective ideas on how to solve the problem.

Yesterday the Club hosted the final Consistency Trial of 2017, and the fight for first was certainly a close one!

Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton raised the Club’s British Grand Prix Trophy at his home circuit this weekend and, for those not able to witness the magic in person, we welcomed members to enjoy the race within the historic surroundings of the Motor House at Woodcote Park.

This year’s Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial reached an epic climax, as more than 100 competitors made their way from Winchester to Woodcote Park for the traditional final leg of the run.

Formula 1 cars will take over the streets of central London on the evening of Wednesday 12 July, to celebrate a new era in Formula 1 and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this weekend.

Unravelling the costs of car insurance

Given the sheer number of questions would-be drivers have to answer when applying for cover, it is clear that the formula for calculating a car insurance quote is a complex one.

This year, the Royal Automobile Club’s 1000 Mile Trial will take place from Monday 10 to Friday 14 July.

The Club’s Motoring Forum has become a favourite of the London Motor Week festivities and, this year, will take place on Thursday 2 November at the Pall Mall clubhouse.

To mark the 40th anniversary of his final World Championship win in 1977, the Club hosted a celebration dinner on 28 June, to celebrate the fast-paced life of the one and only Barry Sheene MBE. Stars and teammates of the 1970s joined us in Pall Mall, along with members of Barry’s family and a handful of the star motorcycle racing figures of today, to hear some of the cheerful and inspiring stories surrounding the double World Champion’s successful career.

On 27 June, the Club was delighted to welcome the legendary Emerson Fittipaldi to Pall Mall, where members and their guests were able to feast their eyes on the new EF7 Vision Gran Turismo track car and gain a personal insight into the racer’s successful career, as well as his new adventure in the automotive industry.

Club members were convinced we had cunningly planned for this year’s Midsummer Drive-In to fall on the hottest day of the year and, while we can’t take full credit for this well-timed coincidence, we were just as delighted as you.

Four greats of the motor racing world were inducted into the Motor Sport Hall of Fame during a star-studded awards ceremony at the Club’s Woodcote Park clubhouse on Wednesday 7 June.

Saturday 2 September
9.00am-6.00pm

The annual Concours of Elegance event returns to the stunning surroundings of Hampton Court Palace this year where, once again, members will be allowed the privilege of displaying their vehicles within the heart of the event.

Last weekend’s Spring Breakfast Drive-In was a sure sign that the British summer has officially arrived.

It’s not every day you encounter previously unseen footage of one of the world’s greatest film stars and his ambition to achieve his ultimate goal – and what a touching experience it was.

On Tuesday 31 October 2017, the Club will host a series of Motoring Lectures at its Pall Mall clubhouse in London, bringing together some of the finest experts in the field of motoring and motorsport.

1992 Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell made a three-day visit to Woodcote Park last week.

Yesterday (4 May) saw the Club host its first Consistency Trial of 2017, and what a blast our members had!

Following a much-publicised accident over the Easter weekend, the Club sends its best wishes to 17-year-old Formula 4 racing driver Billy Monger.

Thursday 20th April saw the Club host its first-ever Drive-In Cinema at Woodcote Park; and what a success it was!

Now available to download

The Tourist Trophy is up for grabs once again. We look ahead to the World Endurance Championship's 6 Hours of Silverstone with Anthony Davidson.

Now available to download

The 2017 Formula 1 World Championship is underway. We explore the season ahead with Tiff Needell.

On Wednesday 8 March members of the Club visited Aston Martin at its Gaydon headquarters.

On Thursday 2 February, Club members met at Woodcote Park for lunch before embarking on a guided tour at Brooklands Museum, Surrey.

It is with great sadness that the Club has learned of the passing of John Surtees CBE.

24 January 2017

Cal Crutchlow has been awarded the Club’s coveted Torrens Trophy for being the first British rider to win a premier class World Championship Motorcycle Grand Prix in 35 years.

Pall Mall, Rotunda

Arguably the most significant Triumph sports car of all time, the Triumph TR2 'Jabbeke' is on view in the rotunda from today until Sunday.

Now Available to Download

In our first podcast for 2017, produced in association with Motor Sport magazine, we talk to Tom Kristensen – or ‘Mr Le Mans’ – as he is known, in deference to his record-breaking nine wins at the famous 24 Hours race.

An interesting take on tackling illegal use of mobiles at the wheel has been proposed by the Police Federation of England Wales which represents rank and file offices: confiscate offenders’ devices at the roadside.

Saturday 28 January

FIA President Jean Todt and FIA Deputy President (Sport) Graham Stoker crowned the 2016 MSA British Champions during the MSA Night of Champions ceremony at Pall Mall on Saturday 28 January.

Both newcomers and motoring veterans joined together in Pall Mall on Thursday 26 January for the Club’s Motoring Open Evening, to learn all about the plans for 2017 and how they can get involved.

On Wednesday 18 January, Motor Racing Legends held their annual awards dinner at the Pall Mall clubhouse, with the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy among those on offer.

It’s been a big couple of weeks in the world of potholes. First the Local Government Association (LGA) came out warning that the cost to clear the road maintenance backlog in England could grow to £14 billion by 2019.

Club Librarian, Trevor Dunmore, gives us a taste of what lies on the bookshelves.

This month he welcomes the new Heritage Catalogue and gives suggestions on the archive's Tourist Trophy items.

Have some fun this Christmas with the Club's Motoring Quiz and Parlour Games. There is 'Cars and Ladders', a Motoring Quiz and 'Guess the Famous Motoring Faces', all you need to do is print at home.

The Club wraps up 2016 with a video review of the motoring year at the Royal Automobile Club.

A week ago shoppers were trying to bag a bargain as part of the Black Friday shopping extravaganza. They were at it again at the start of this week as retailers promoted Cyber Monday. The RAC Foundation’s interest is less about what people are buying but rather: how are they getting the stuff home?

The Club took to the main stage of Motorcycle Live on Saturday 19 November to reveal the contenders for the coveted 2016 Torrens Trophy.

The Club is sad to announce that Peter Foubister, the Club Motoring Secretary, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Friday 18 November.

The Club has won the 'Rally or Tour of the Year' Award at the International Historic Motoring Awards for the 2015 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

On Monday 14 November, the Beaujolais Run made a stop at Woodcote Park on their way to the vineyards in France for the first Beaujolais wine sales of the year.

The Club has been shortlisted for three awards across the ‘Motoring Event of the Year’ and ‘Rally or Tour of the Year’ categories at the sixth International Historic Motoring Awards, which will be held at the Guildhall, London on Thursday 17 November 2016.

In an event that spanned just over three days and 751 miles, the RAC Rally of the Tests has been won by Andy Lane and Richard Crozier in their Volvo 123GT.

Hundreds of thousands of visitors attended the annual Regent Street Motor Show on Saturday 5 November, a free-to-attend, family-friendly event celebrating three centuries of motoring. This year’s attractions included displays of veteran cars, classic cars, modern day vehicles and plug-in hybrids, as well as musical fun from the West End Kids, driving simulator experiences and stunt shows.

On Sunday 6 November, almost 400 pioneering veteran cars took part in the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox, which saw thousands of spectators cheer on the participants and their pre-1905 cars in brilliant sunshine.

To celebrate the German theme of this year’s London Motor Week, Club Executive Chef Philip Corrick collaborated with two of the UK’s top German chefs on a special menu for the Partners’ Dinner on Thursday 3 November.

Now Available to Download

In this instalment, produced in association with Motor Sport magazine, we capture the thoughts of Williams technical guru Pat Symonds.

Back for its second year, the Motoring Forum once again proved a highlight of London Motor Week. Club members, industry professionals and even students from a London design college were all in attendance on Thursday 3 November.

For the first time, the start and finish of the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox will be live streamed on YouTube.

The Club is proud to announce the recipient of the 2016 Motoring Book of the Year Award, Brian Redman, for Daring Drivers, Deadly Tracks. An award for Specialist Book of the Year was also given to Jonathan Wood for Squire: The Man, the Car, the Heritage.

The Club is proud to announce the recipients of the Dewar Trophy and Simms Medal for 2016 are Gordon Murray Design and Hugo Spowers and the team at Riversimple.

‘All I ever wanted to be was an engineer’, Dr Andy Palmer CMG told a captivated room of Club members and their guests at the inaugural London Motor Week Dinner on Wednesday 1 November.

Drive-safe mode for mobiles? This week Tomasz Kroker made the headlines for all the wrong reasons following his jailing for ten years for causing death by dangerous driving.

Yang Liu a talented young car designer from China has won the Royal College of Art vehicle design competition.

Now Available to Download

In this instalment, produced in association with Motor Sport magazine, we speak to Dick Bennetts, who has helped a stellar list of racing drivers find their way from the junior formulae to become Formula 1 World Champions.

Saturday 5 November
Free to Attend

A celebration of 125 years of motoring’s past, present and future awaits visitors which promises something for everyone.

Sunday 6 November

At early dawn on 6 November, people dressed in period costume will ceremoniously tear up a red flag in Hyde Park. Marvel at the sight of more than 400 pre-1905 veteran cars taking part in an epic 60-mile journey from London to Brighton.

Royal Opera Arcade Gallery
Monday 31 October – Saturday 5 November

The Art of Motoring exhibition is back for its second year, bringing together some of the finest internationally renowned artists working in motoring.

A host of competitors past and present, race organisers and sponsors gathered on Wednesday 20 July to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy race series.

Congratulations to John Abel and Iain Tullie on winning the 2016 Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial, which finished at Woodcote Park on Saturday 16 July.