"You’re a long time dead –its how you get there that counts"

There is an incredibly rich history of motor sport and motoring achievement which in some small way either grew from, or was fuelled by support and enthusiasm in the City of London. For those who are not familiar, Lime Street is the area around Lloyd's mostly associated with the Insurance and Reinsurance Market.  >>Read More>>

“Why Racing?”

Historically there were often divisions in motoring, and what the pioneers sought to achieve, but less so in the pursuit of racing and the way in which it improved all aspects of which ever vehicle. Similarly the great and special events which draw us all together as motor enthusiasts were invariably associated with speed achievements.

There is a huge passion that exists in the city, and certainly where sport is concerned. Sometimes it can seem a little unhinged, especially too outsiders. By comparison with the city work environment our enthusiasm can seem a little disproportionate, but for me the buzz has always been wheel or engine driven. Motor sport has introduced me to some great people. >>Read More>>

“Inspiration”

The people who actually inspire should be proper enthusiasts who are always passionate about their goals and in many cases throw everything into achieving them. They do not just 'live to work'. They are often engineers and some even had the advantage of great wealth, well to start off with they did. A lot used this to the full.....and often way beyond – The Phrase “kids don't try this at home!” springs to mind when imagining some of the more infamous exploits.

For me the most special is an image of MG driver George Eyston standing on the rear bumper of his burning car on the high speed banking at Monthelerey South of Paris in 1935. He was attempting to achieve a world record before he finally completed the bail out procedure at 50mph – he felt this was sufficiently slow having pounded the circuit at speed for so long, he survived, but still spent some months recovering. He then got straight back in his new car, commissioned and built while he was still in the infirmary and tried to go faster. Such heroes come from all disciplines - Two and four wheeled. The recent Anthony Hopkins movie “The Worlds fastest Indian” capturing what it was for Burt Monroe to chase his dream. The record he set for streamlined motorcycles still stands, however he would have been the first to applaud someone attempting to raise the bar. By real accounts he was a bit of a mean bugger, but one hell of an inspiration... after all he did drive a Nash!

40 YEARS AGO - A CONTRAST (An extract from the issue of "The Autocar" dated 28th August 1897)

"The idea of high speed is often more attractive than its realisation, an many people glibly talk of speed rates without any real understanding of what they mean. When His Highness the Maharajah Thakore Sahib of Morvi was going round the moor factories of this country, he said he wanted a motor car to travel forty miles an hour. At Coventry, however, he was taken out on a car and the driver "let her drop" down Meriden Hill, the speed approximating twenty to twenty-two. Long before they reached the bottom His Highness called for some application of the brake to be made and expressed himself as fully satisfied with the speed travelling."

It is true that some think that petrol heads are a strange bunch, but in my experience the more serious the competition the friendlier, more helpful and modest the people involved become. >>Read More>>

“Politically Correct”

We are often pressured by the politically correct to keep motoring achievements quiet, there is precious little national press given in comparison to some sports. My own view is that petrol has not been banned or rationed and whilst the revenue is good enough for the economy so should be the celebration of its use beyond the mundane.  >>Read More>>

"What is in it for us”

The front page of this site tries to project a flavour which has helped to inspire both myself and folk I know. The intention is that sharing snippets of what we get up to might help perpetuate an enthusiasm which has always existed around Lime Street. It would be great if any of our comments, links, or what we like encourages people to get involved in our sport in what ever way they can, as the more like minded people there are the more fun and involvement that we will all have. The computer generation is in danger of missing out as the reward for any of our enthusiasm is the collective excitement that makes it all worthwhile. The addiction may begin at a computer screen, you may even earn your living behind one, but this could simply be an avenue to getting involved and experiencing motor sport first hand. I hope you enjoy what we have to offer and the spirit in which it is offered.

“How do I get involved”

The Lloyd’s Motor club is based in the Lloyd’s building at 1 Lime Street. This is a general interest motoring club, and there is a website linked to this site which will offer a full itinerary of club activities. As a long standing committee member I would encourage membership as the club is what its members make it. I organise a monthly "Noggin and Natter" for members and also TVR car club members at the The Swan in Ship Tavern Passage, Leadenhall Market, from 6pm on the first Wednesday. We meet in the upstairs bar which is to be found adjacent to No 77 Gracechurch St, so if this is a suitable forum it would be good to have all interested enthusiasts join us.