Initially, the NLAC was affiliated to the Motor Union (MU), a subsidiary of the Automobile Club of Great Britain (as the RAC was known at that time).
On Saturday 19 May 1906, a speed-judging contest was the first co-promoted event, in conjunction with the Southern Car Club, for the Gamage Challenge Cup.
On Saturday 16 May 1908 at Cat Hill (A110), Cockfosters, north London, the club became the first such organisation to receive written permission from the Commissioner of Police to hold a motoring competition on a public road.
In 1912, the Club entered a team in the RAC Associates Day at Brooklands and won The Autocar Cup in the 5-mile Relay Race.
Mr. Malcolm Campbell, who was to play a large part in the Club’s activities in later years, won the All-comers Handicap race on that day.
By 1926, the Club was hosting a combined Speed Trial and Hill Climb at Brooklands, and these meetings attracted many well-known racing drivers of the era.
In the 1927 meeting, George Eyston, (winner of the 1926 Boulogne Grand Prix in a Bugatti) won the 50 Miles Handicap race and in the Hill Climb, club member The Hon Mrs Victor Bruce (at one time holder of 17 motoring world records) won the Ladies' Cup and Dr. Dudley Benjafield, one of the famous 'Bentley Boys' won the Kensington Cup for the fastest time, a trophy he was to win every year from 1926 to 1930, and again in 1932 (Dr. Benjafield joined the Club committee in 1927, and was active in club management until at least 1939).
By the 1930s, the Club’s political influence was declining, notwithstanding the presence as Vice-presidents of no less than 16 MPs representing all the constituencies in the County.
During this period of inactivity, the founding President, Col. Sir Henry Bowles died in 1943, and in March 1946 he was succeeded by Lord Brabazon of Tara.
Like so many others, the Club entered into a long period of stagnation during the 1950s and 1960s, with very few events being organised due in part to petrol rationing, but most significantly to the introduction of new laws that severely reduced the ability to promote road rallies.
Throughout all the years, the Club had never been able to promote periodic ‘noggin and natter’ gatherings with any regularity, although several attempts had been made, generally with poor response.
However, the very many working-party sessions that took place during the first RAC Rally project led directly to the establishment of regular weekly social meetings that continue to this day.
The fourth President died in 1986, and was succeeded by Adrian L’Estrange, a former Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Vice-president, who joined the Club in 1964.
The most significant feature of this period has been the considerable activity by members in major national and international rallying events.