1897 Oldest auto club is founded
The Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland, later known as the Royal Automobile Club, was founded on this day by C. Harrington Moore and Frederick R. Simms. Automobile clubs began as social clubs for people with an interest in motoring and motor racing, born in a time when cars were mainly for the rich. They later evolved into service clubs that could provide emergency road service, travel planning, and insurance. Many auto clubs still exist today and continue to sponsor motor-sport competitions.