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97-737: The first full year of racing included the Indy-style open wheel inaugural California 500 on September 6, 1970; the Miller High Life 500 stock car race on February 28, 1971, the NHRA Super Nationals drag race on November 21, 1970 and the Questor Grand Prix on March 28, 1971. Each of these inaugural races drew attendance second only to their established counterparts, the USAC Indianapolis 500 ,

194-566: A Nations Cup organised in the first year. In 1978, Jean-Marie Balestre begun his presidency of the CSI, and it was renamed to Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA), with the intention of creating a governing body for automobile motor sport with some autonomy from the rest of the FIA, which retained control of the karting commission, CIK. Balestre believed motor sport was not being managed well and wanted to professionalise and commercialise

291-624: A Secretary General to head the administrative staff who function as intermediaries for the councils, commissions and committees. A Chief Administration Officer also heads areas supporting the Senate such as commercial, legal, marketing, events and financial. A number of commissions exist to further activities or aims within specific areas. Each may have their own presidency and could be broken down into further specific working groups. Individual members may be from member organisations joined by delegates and representatives from various professions or through

388-444: A company controlled by Ecclestone. This meant organisers were forced into having their championships promoted by the same company that managed the affairs of other motorsport events, a potential conflict of interest . The combination of these requirements meant Ecclestone's Formula One Administration , which now controlled Formula One's commercial rights, was protected from competition from any rival championships. The investigation

485-651: A competition. ;  Teams/entrants = The person or corporate entity that registers a car and driver for a competition, and is then responsible for preparing and maintaining that car for the duration of the competition. In 1913, the AIACR created the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD), allowing motorists to cross international borders into signatory territories for temporary periods without customs tariffs, duties or taxes payable on their personal vehicles. The CPD works like an insurance product, customs are guaranteed to be paid by

582-539: A crowd of 80,000 and was the third largest crowd to see the first low bank 2-1/2 mile oval 500-mile (800 km) stock car race, and the third largest attendance for a stock car race behind the Daytona 500 and the Talladega 500 . The Questor Grand Prix , won by Mario Andretti on March 28, 1971, was a head-to-head battle between European drivers using Formula One cars against the U.S. Formula 5000 series. This format

679-468: A dispute with FOCA (named the " FISA–FOCA war "). The conflict saw several races being cancelled or boycotted, and large-scale disagreement over the technical regulations and their enforcement. The dispute and the Concorde Agreement that was written to end it, would have significant ramifications for the FIA. The agreement led to FOCA acquiring commercial rights over Formula One, while FISA and

776-588: A number of changes at motor racing circuits around the world, and the improvement of crash barriers and trackside medical procedures. The FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety was established in 2004 with the focus of improving safety in motor sport, bringing together the various safety research groups into one organisation. It ceased prior to the 2017 motor sport season, with the Global Institute for Motor Sport Safety taking on its aims. The FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy begun in 2011 with

873-573: A related connection such as being a motorsport competitor for example. Alongside the various Sporting and Mobility Commissions, the International Historical Commission exists for the preservation of historic vehicles. Ten sports committees have been established by the World Motorsport Council to help manage and administer certain aspects of motorsport. An Ethics committee was also set up in 2012 by

970-621: A result of this ruling, the FIA sold the commercial rights to Formula One to the Formula One Group for 100 years for $ 360 million. In 2008, accusations surfaced in the British media that FIA president Max Mosley was involved in scandalous sexual behaviour. In response, Mosley faced a leadership challenge in a vote of confidence at the June 2008 General Assembly. Mosley won the vote by 103 votes in support to 55 against, resulting in

1067-426: A series not controlled by the FIA. This provision, which also applied to racing circuits and promoters, prevented rival championships competing against the FIA championships by restricting their access to facilities, drivers, and vehicle manufacturers. In addition, the FIA also claimed the television rights to all international motorsport events, which were then transferred to International Sportsworld Communicators ,

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1164-508: Is Mohammed bin Sulayem . The FIA is generally known by its French name or initials, even in non-French-speaking countries, but is occasionally rendered as International Automobile Federation. Its most prominent role is in the licensing and sanctioning of Formula One , World Rally Championship , World Endurance Championship , TCR World Tour , World Rallycross Championship , Formula E , and various other forms of racing. The FIA along with

1261-516: Is the President, a position currently held by Mohammed bin Sulayem . The President coordinates the activities of the Federation and proposes resolutions to the various commissions and committees and also acts as the representative of the FIA to external organisations. They are supported by two Deputy Presidents and several vice-presidents, each for Sport or Mobility, as well as the President of

1358-595: The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) also certify land speed record attempts. The International Olympic Committee provisionally recognised the federation in 2011, and granted full recognition in 2013. The Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus (AIACR, English: 'International Association of Recognized Automobile Clubs') was founded in Paris on 20 June 1904, as an association of national motor clubs . The association

1455-584: The World Rally-Raid Championship . With the Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) acting as promotor and organiser; the separate cross-country rallying series sanctioned by the FIA and FIM were dissolved and merged into the new World Championship. Key: Constructors/manufacturers = The person or corporate entity that owns the intellectual rights to the chassis and the engine of the car that a team/entrant enters into

1552-652: The 1992 season the World Sportscar Championship was cancelled and dissolved, revived again in the 2012 season under the new name as the FIA World Endurance Championship . In the 1973 World Rally Championship season , the FIA organised the first World Rally Championship beginning with the 42nd Rally of Monte-Carlo to replace the International Championship for Manufacturers . Initially

1649-695: The Automobile Club de France . The World Manufacturers' Championship was introduced in 1925, replaced by the European Drivers' Championship in 1931 with a title awarded to the driver with the best results in the selected Grands Prix. Upon resumption of motorsport after the Second World War , the AIACR was renamed the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The FIA established a number of championships in

1746-517: The European Commission opened a formal investigation into the FIA. The Commission alleged a number of breaches of European competition law , centred around the FIA's administration of licences required to participate in motorsport and the control of television rights of the motorsport events it authorised. In order to compete in events the FIA authorised, the competitor had to apply for a licence, which prohibited licensees from entering

1843-491: The Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) in the 2010 and 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup seasons, the FIA and ACO organised together the rebirth of the defunct World Sportscar Championship for both Sports prototypes and GT cars from the 2012 season onward, now officially known as the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). Starting in 2022 season , the FIA and FIM jointly sanctioned

1940-595: The "Indy of the West", he provided a special gift from Indy: a circle of the original bricks from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway were laid in the OMS's victory lane. The Ontario Motor Speedway introduced many innovations to the sport of automobile racing and is attributed as being the facility that started the boom in development of similar super speedways which made automobile racing track ownership one of

2037-593: The 2022 edition of the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi , initially scheduled for 25 September. The FIA also terminated the Russian contract to host the race. The true history of Formula One began in the 1946 Grand Prix season with the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile ' s (FIA's) standardisation of rules for Formula One cars . The first Grand Prix in accordance with this new regulations

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2134-621: The 22-month construction period, speedway management negotiated the required race dates from the rival sanctioning bodies, convincing the FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) to allow a second U.S. Grand Prix in 1972, contingent upon conducting a qualifying race (the Questor Grand Prix) in 1971. The OMS was the first automobile race facility to launch a multimillion-dollar marketing campaign based on extensive market research. The research indicated that in order to attract more than

2231-437: The 800 acres (3.2 km) of land originally purchased at an average price of $ 7,500 per acre, had now risen to a value of $ 150,000 per acre. Chevron Land Company, a division of Chevron Corporation recognized the opportunity to acquire the bonds and effectively foreclosed on the real estate. For approximately $ 10 million, Chevron acquired land which had a commercial real estate development value of $ 120 million, without regard to

2328-439: The AIACR (The Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus). The World Sportscar Championship was created in the 1953 World Sportscar Championship season, and was the first points series for sports car racing in the world. The official name frequently varied throughout the period and from the 1962 season to the 1971 season the championship was officially known as the International Championship . The championship

2425-705: The FIA Senate. The combined presidency is elected to a four-year term by the General Assembly. Presidential candidates must produce an electoral list consisting of their proposed Deputy Presidents, Vice-Presidents for Sport, and the President of the Senate, as well as demonstrate support from a number of member clubs. The FIA has two World Councils. The World Council for Automobile Mobility and Tourism (WCAMT) governs transport policy, road safety, tourism and environmental concerns. The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) regulates all sporting disciplines claimed by

2522-535: The FIA had been abusing its position as motorsport's governing body. Van Miert's initial inquiry had not concluded by 1999, which resulted in the FIA suing the European Commission, alleging that the delay was causing damaging uncertainty, and successfully receiving an apology from the Commission over the leaking of documents relating to the case. Mario Monti took over as Commissioner in 1999, and

2619-433: The FIA of a witch-hunt against McLaren . The World Motor Sport Council responded by issuing a writ against The Sunday Times alleging libel. Brundle responded by saying "I have earned the right to have an opinion", and suggested the writ was a "warning sign to other journalists". The FIA–FOTA dispute was a series of clashes between the FIA and the now defunct Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) over proposed changes to

2716-432: The FIA would have control over sport's regulations. FOCA chief Bernie Ecclestone became an FIA Vice-President with control over promoting the FIA's World Championships, while FOCA legal advisor and former March Engineering manager Max Mosley would end up becoming FISA President in 1991. Mosley succeeded Balestre as President of the FIA in 1993 and restructured the organisation, dissolving FISA and placing motor racing under

2813-500: The FIA, and approves the regulations for each of the FIA's championships. Beneath the WMSC are a number of specialised commissions, which are either focused on individual championships, or general areas such as safety. The FIA Senate generally oversees financial and commercial affairs and general management of the FIA, and can take decisions required between meetings of the relevant committee or World Council. Sport and Mobility each have

2910-412: The FIA. The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has the decision-making responsibility for all motorsport the FIA governs and sanctions. It convenes at least three times a year to decide on rules and regulations proposed to it by the commissions and committees that have direct responsibility of the various disciplines and championships. The WMSC also discusses safety and development of motor sport and steers

3007-411: The General Assembly are usually held once a year, though extraordinary meetings can be convened for urgent matters. The General Assembly has responsibility for amending the FIA's statutes and regulations, approving the annual budget and reports, deciding upon the membership, and electing the officers and members to the Federation's governing bodies. The head of the FIA and chairman of the General Assembly

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3104-642: The General Assembly. The FIA's judicial bodies include the International Tribunal, which exercises disciplinary powers that are not dealt with by the meeting stewards , and the International Court of Appeal. The ICA is the final appeal tribunal for international motor sport, which resolves disputes brought before it by National Sporting Authorities worldwide, or by the President of the FIA. It can also settle non-sporting disputes brought by national motoring organisations affiliated to

3201-482: The Indianapolis 500; Roger Penske , retired race car driver, race car owner and auto related business entrepreneur; Briggs Cunningham , an American sportsman who raced cars and yachts; and Chuck Barnes, chairman and CEO of Sports Headliners, and former director of public relations for Firestone Tires. The advertising campaign was so successful that all reserved seats were completely sold out over six weeks before

3298-724: The Los Angeles-based Campbell Ewald Agency, in December 1969, promoting the California 500 as "the place for the family to be for their Labor Day weekend" nine months later. Legendary Hollywood PR agent, Warren Cowan of the Rogers & Cowan public relations agency heavily promoted the Hollywood community and the astronauts’ interest in the sport and involvement with the track. During races

3395-761: The Manufacturer's Committee, nine sporting committees report to the WMSC. The committees, shown below in bold, may have their own specialised commissions. In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine , the FIA banned Russia and Belarus teams, and banned the holding of competitions in Russia or Belarus. It also excluded Russian and Belarusian FIA members from their roles as elected officers or commission members, and banned FIA grants to Russian and Belarusian members. Individual Russia and Belarus competitors were allowed to enter races as neutrals, without their national symbols, flags, colours and anthems. The FIA cancelled

3492-554: The NASCAR Daytona 500 , the NHRA U.S. Nationals , and the U.S. Formula One race at Watkins Glen . The track was purchased for real estate development by Chevron Land Company in late 1980 and demolished at a cost of $ 3 million in 1981. It is estimated that the 800-acre (3.2 km) facility, with 155,000 permanent seats and an air-conditioned private stadium club would have a replacement cost in 2009 of over $ 350 million. In

3589-412: The U.S. next year." From a racing standpoint, the inaugural season was a tremendous success and from an attendance standpoint only the hybrid Questor Grand Prix was a disappointment. In April, 1971, Lockton resigned as CEO from Ontario (as well as from Sports Headliners) to pursue non-automobile racing related interests and was replaced as CEO by Ray Smartis, the vice president and general manager. Despite

3686-531: The aim of developing driver talent worldwide. It ceased functioning after the 2015 season. The CSI determined the regulations and calendar of the major international championships, such as the Formula One World Championship, World Sportscar Championship and European Rally Championship . Meanwhile, the organisers of the individual races (for example local or national clubs) were responsible for accepting entries, paying prize money, and

3783-521: The approximately 50,000 hardcore racing fans in Southern California it would be necessary to convince the non-racing fan of the new speedway's safety to overcome their fears of seeing a terrible accident; to position the facility as a clean, safe, fun place to take the family, and a place to rub elbows with Hollywood stars, astronauts and other celebrities. The speedway launched a radio, billboard and newspaper advertising campaign, developed by

3880-491: The arrival of teams and the amount of prize money. This led to the FIA President Prince Metternich attempting to reassert its authority by appointing Jean-Marie Balestre as the head of the CSI in 1978, who promptly reformed the committee into the autonomous Fédération Internationale du Sport Automobile (FISA). Under Balestre's leadership FISA and the manufacturer-backed teams became involved in

3977-433: The bond offering. He also raised $ 5 million in equity from Pioneer Lands Corp.; Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette ; and Stolte Construction Company; with Lockton and these three entities owning the speedway in more or less equal proportions. Renowned California architect Robert W. Kite AIA whose firm, Kite & Overpeck Architects, Beverly Hills, was retained by Stolte to design the state-of-the-art facility. The track layout

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4074-505: The championship was solely for manufacturers. In the 1977 and 1978 seasons, an FIA Cup for Drivers was included before a Driver's Championship title was introduced in the 1979 season. In the 1987 World Touring Car Championship season, the FIA sanctioned the World Touring Car Championship . Initially a one-off series for touring car racing , the title was revived in the 2005 season and discontinued at

4171-496: The commissions and committees through delegated tasks. The council consists of the President of the FIA, the Deputy President for Sport and seven Vice-Presidents as nominated by the President; five members by right and fourteen further members approved by the General Assembly. Each of the seven World Championships report directly to the WMSC, usually to propose amendments to their own rules and regulations. Alongside

4268-506: The commitment and involvement of Indianapolis Motor Speedway personnel. He obtained the first and only IRS ruling to allow tax deductibility of the $ 25.5 million industrial revenue bond offering secured by the real estate, in which the facility would be run by a for-profit operating company. Lockton convinced leading bond investment banker John Nuveen & Co. in Chicago as well as Citi Securities Corporation in Indianapolis to underwrite

4365-645: The committee worked with the Motor Industry Research Association to strengthen the crash resistance of cars and the restraint systems and to improve drivers' personal safety. The recommendations of the committee led to significantly more stringent crash tests for racing vehicles, new safety standards for helmets and race suits, and the eventual introduction of the HANS device as compulsory in all international racing series. The committee also worked on improving circuit safety. This led to

4462-580: The contractor on the project, sent information on the failed projects to David Lockton , co-founder with Chuck Barnes of Sports Headliners, a leading sports management firm in Indianapolis, Indiana , that acted as agent and manager for most of the Formula One and Indianapolis-style racing drivers. Sports Headliners represented most of the leading Formula One drivers and the winners of the past 10 Indianapolis 500-mile (800 km) races. Lockton

4559-538: The date with the largest potential attendance. The March crowds never approached the attendance of the Labor Day event and the new operator ultimately defaulted on the debt service. Ontario was used in a number of TV shows and movies, including Salvage One , Charlie's Angels , Death Race 2000 and was also mentioned in CHiPs . Attempts were made to provide revenue by holding other events and concerts to promote

4656-610: The direct management of the FIA. During the 2000s, the FIA and its president became increasingly embroiled in controversy over Formula One, while facing threats from teams to establish a breakaway series. A grouping of the car manufacturers involved in F1, the Grand Prix Manufacturers Association , proposed a new world championship , which would allow them greater control over the regulations and revenue distribution. A new Concorde Agreement eventually ended

4753-698: The end of the 2017 season. In the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship season, the SRO Group introduced the FIA GT1 World Championship , which was a championship consisting of one-hour sprint races for GT cars . This world championship ended in the 2012 season . After a switch to GT3 cars in 2012 it became known as the FIA GT Series in the 2013 season . After the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) successfully organised

4850-629: The fall of 2008, the Citizens Business Bank Arena (now Toyota Arena ), an 11,000-seat sports and entertainment venue was opened. The arena is home to the AHL Ontario Reign and is built in the infield area of the old Ontario track. The Ontario Mills shopping mall is located to the east, across the street from the former site of the Speedway. A minor tribute to the racing heritage of the property can be seen in

4947-492: The fields of road safety and traffic circulation . The sport division is a governing body for many international motorsport championships and disciplines, including Formula One . The FIA was formally established on 20 June 1904. It is headquartered at 8 Place de la Concorde , Paris, with offices in Geneva , Valleiry and London . The FIA consists of 243 member organisations in 147 countries worldwide. Its current president

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5044-789: The following years; the World Championship for Drivers in 1950, and the World Championship for Sports Cars in 1953. That same year it also established the European Rally Championship , and then in 1963, the European Touring Car Challenge . In 1962, the FIA created the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK, also CIK-FIA), to oversee the growing karting discipline at international level, with

5141-715: The former site of the OMS, and the two names were sometimes confused. (The California track was called the California Speedway before a naming rights deal was signed in February 2008.) From 1977 to 1980, a second Champ Car event was run at Ontario, sharing the bill with a stock car race. It was first joined by USAC Stock Car , and in 1980, when the race joined the CART calendar, by the NASCAR Winston West Series . The race, held on 28 March 1971,

5238-527: The general running of each event. In Formula One, this led to tension between the teams, which formed themselves into the Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) founded in 1974, event organisers and the CSI. The FIA and CSI were largely amateur organisations, and FOCA under the control of Bernie Ecclestone began to take charge of various aspects of organising the events, as well as setting terms with race organisers for

5335-405: The highest growth segments from 1980 to 2005. Ontario pioneered a private stadium club with annual memberships, corporate suites, crash absorbent retaining walls and safety fences, the first pro-am celebrity race, state-of-the-art modern garage facilities for the race teams, and a computerized real-time timing and scoring system which showed in real-time the positions on the track to spectators during

5432-560: The historic significance or future potential of the speedway. Many of the grandstands and other infrastructure were sold off to other venues. Section 10 and Section 20 (the grandstands on the east side of the arena) at the Paso Robles Event Center , also known as The California Midstate Fair), in Paso Robles were constructed from grandstands removed from the speedway. Also several ticket booths were relocated from

5529-402: The inaugural California 500. The 178,000 in paid attendance and $ 3.3 million gross remained the largest crowd and highest gross in inflation adjusted dollars of any single day sporting event other than the Indianapolis 500 for nearly three decades. California governor Ronald Reagan presented the trophy to race winner Jim McElreath, a teammate of car owner A. J. Foyt . President Richard M. Nixon

5626-673: The issuer if the vehicle does not leave the country within the specified time. Under the terms of the United Nations Customs Convention, only the FIA and the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) may authorise carnet issuers. The FIA was a founder member of the European New Car Assessment Programme , a car safety programme that crash-tests new models and publishes safety reports on vehicles. Mosley

5723-557: The karting commission (CIK) gained some independence, becoming known as the Fédération Mondial de Karting (FMK, also known as FMK-FIA and distinct from separate organisations International Kart Federation and World Karting Association ). However the Federation was short lived and in 2000, reverted back to being known as the CIK. The FIA announced in 2022 the appointment of its first ever CEO, Natalie Robyn. Robyn resigned

5820-413: The last race. Over 20% of the seats for the second 1972 Cal 500 event were sold on this promotion, providing the OMS with almost $ 800,000 in advance ticket sales. Rather than a sustained campaign, the advertising or promotional money was not spent on the 1972 race until only a few weeks before the event and attendance was marginally down approximately 30,000 in the second year. In 1973 the operating company

5917-827: The mid-sixties, there were two prior attempts to build "The Indianapolis of the West". The first attempt was led by National General Corporation , and the second by the Santa Anita Consolidated and Filmways Corporations. The second attempt focused on an 800-acre parcel of land (the Cucamonga Winery ) directly across from the new Ontario International Airport on the San Bernardino Freeway ( Interstate 10 ), 40 miles (60 km) east of downtown Los Angeles. William Loorz CEO of Stolte Construction Co., one of California's largest commercial construction companies, who had been designated

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6014-412: The nearby street names (ex: Duesenberg Drive, Ferrari Lane, and others), in much the same way that the developed area that was formerly Riverside International Raceway reflects the same heritage, with roads named after famous drivers. On the west side of the former raceway is a park dedicated to OMS . The only remains of OMS is on the northwest side of the property where you can see the remains of turn 3 of

6111-416: The next nine months acquiring options on all of the fourteen parcels and then leveraged his position as the drivers’ representative on the board of USAC (United States Auto Club) the sanctioning body for the Indianapolis 500 race; and his personal friendship with Tony Hulman , owner of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to obtain not only the promise of a USAC sanctioned 500-mile (800 km) race, but also

6208-405: The old oval in satellite views. After the failure of the California 500, the IndyCar series replaced the race with the Michigan 500 at Michigan International Speedway . Eight years later in 1988, Riverside International Raceway (in nearby Riverside ) was also sold and demolished in favor of development. In 1997, the Auto Club Speedway opened in Fontana , less than 2 miles (3.2 km) from

6305-434: The opening of Ontario) in 1970 and again from 1981–1983 (after Ontario closed in 1980). FIA The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile ( FIA ; English: International Automobile Federation ) is an international organisation with two primary functions surrounding use of the automobile . Its mobility division advocates the interests of motoring organisations, the automotive industry and motor car users in

6402-484: The position after 18 months and as of August 2024 the position remains vacant. The General Assembly is the Federation's supreme governing body, consisting of representatives from each of the FIA's member associations. According to the FIA's website, the voting member associations can be automobile and touring clubs (mobility), or national sporting authorities (sport). The website further states that there are 244 organisations spread among 146 countries. Meetings of

6499-459: The race. This timing and scoring system was subsequently adopted by the Formula One circuit and ultimately by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The OMS was designed by the renowned architectural firm Kite & Overpeck Architects, Beverly Hills, known for important LA landmarks such as the 9000 Sunset Building and the Beverly Hillcrest Hotel. The principal in charge of the OMS was Robert W. Kite AIA. The K&O project team included Ted Tyler. During

6596-418: The rules and regulations for the 2010 Formula One season. The debate began over the introduction of a budget cap and escalated until the eve of the 2009 British Grand Prix with the FOTA teams announcing their intention to form their own rival breakaway series. The FIA in response began an entry process for new teams. From that point onwards, the dispute was negotiated to the point at which a new Concorde Agreement

6693-452: The speedway to the fair grounds. The property remained vacant for several years until the mid-1980s when a Hilton hotel was built on turn 4 of the old speedway site. It was the first multiple-story building of its kind in the City of Ontario. By the mid-2000s, development on the property had increased. In 2007, much of the remainder of the property became a mixed-use development with condominiums, business offices, and some retail stores. In

6790-529: The speedway's commercial success in building attendance for each event and the clear potential for future profitability, in the short term, the operating company had difficulty meeting its debt service obligations on the municipal bonds, primarily due to the shortfall of the hybrid Questor Grand Prix race and a downturn in California 500 attendance in year two. The advertising campaign for the Inaugural California 500 had guaranteed seat purchasers seat renewal rights in perpetuity if they paid for them within 30 days of

6887-429: The sport, particularly in Formula One which led to a dispute with participants known as the FISA–FOCA war . Balestre later took presidency of the FIA in 1985, managing presidencies of both federations simultaneously. He lost the FISA presidency in 1991, and the FIA presidency in 1993, to Max Mosley on both occasions. It was clear to both Balestre and Mosley, and agreed by the FIA General Assembly upon proposition that there

6984-512: The success of certain championships. The FIA could no longer prevent non-FIA administered events from being established, neither could it use its powers to prevent competition to Formula One. Ecclestone and FOA would no longer handle the commercial rights to other motorsport events outside of Formula One. Ecclestone had sold the ISC company, which now only controlled the rights to rallying, and would stand down from his role as an FIA Vice-President. As

7081-478: The suites were full of celebrities, including Paul Newman , Kirk Douglas , Dick Smothers , John Wayne , James Garner and Ina Balin , as well as many astronauts, including Pete Conrad . The dedication of the track occurred in August 1970 with the staging of the first celebrity pro-am race, featuring many stars from the entertainment industry paired with professional, race winning drivers. The celebrity pro-am race

7178-592: The teams who withdrew from the event, but later cleared the teams of any wrongdoing. In 2007 and 2008 the FIA was criticised on two issues. The 2007 Formula One espionage controversy involved accusations against McLaren, who were accused of stealing technological secrets from Ferrari. Commenting on how the FIA handled the situation, Martin Brundle wrote a column in The Sunday Times titled "Witch-hunt threatens to spoil world title race" in which he accused

7275-496: The threat, but the breakaway series would resurface during each dispute between the FIA, teams and the Formula One Group. The FIA's handling of the tyre situation at the 2005 United States Grand Prix was criticised. Mosley had refused any modification to the circuit or the holding of a non-championship event in place of the Grand Prix, having stated that running on an untested circuit was unsafe. The FIA also threatened to punish

7372-525: The time, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, familiarly known as "the Brickyard" did not have an infield road course and one was not built there until 2000. The Indianapolis track, which was first built in 1909, was originally paved at great expense with 3.2 million paving bricks. Today, 3 feet (0.91 m) of original bricks remain at the start-finish line, still giving meaning to "the Brickyard". To symbolize Hulman's gesture of friendship with Lockton and support for

7469-502: The track venue more. On February 28, 1971, OMS promoted and staged motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel 's record jump over 19 cars, drawing a crowd of 50,000 in paid attendance on the day prior to the NASCAR sanctioned Miller High Life 500 mile stock car race. The jump was filmed as the climactic scene in the movie Evel Knievel , starring George Hamilton , which was filmed in and around the race track during that weekend. California Jam

7566-578: Was a USAC , and later CART , race held at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California . The event represented a continuous lineage of open wheel oval racing in Southern California that dates back to 1970. Open wheel oval racing in southern California dated back to the USAC California 500 at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California , held from 1970 to 1978. The race was part of IndyCar racing's "triple crown," and at its inception,

7663-436: Was a precondition to receipt of a second FIA sanctioned U.S. Grand Prix. The crowd of only 55,000, while the largest to attend a road race in California, was a disappointment; even so, the speedway's schedule of upcoming events printed on page 130 of the 1971 California 500 official program listed a "Second Annual Questor Grand Prix" taking place on April 9 as "One of two full-points World Championship Formula 1 races scheduled for

7760-406: Was closed in 2001 after the FIA and FOA agreed to a number of conditions. In order to fairly regulate all international motorsport, the FIA agreed to limit its role to that of a sporting regulator, and would sell the commercial rights to its championships, including Formula One. This was to prevent a conflict of interest between the FIA's regulatory role and any commercial advantages it may gain from

7857-458: Was convinced that the prior efforts failed for lack of involvement with anyone familiar with the automobile racing community. He flew to Los Angeles in October 1966, met with Stolte and viewed the proposed site which had by then been subdivided into fourteen separate parcels owned by 150 individual owners, many of them Hollywood celebrities who had bought the land for tax shelters. Lockton spent

7954-500: Was designed to represent the interests of motor car users, as well as to oversee the burgeoning international motor sport scene. In 1922, the AIACR established the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI), which would oversee international motorsport matters, such as setting the regulations for Grand Prix motor racing . Previously, this responsibility had been entrusted to the sporting commission of

8051-641: Was devised by Dutch circuit designer John Hugenholtz (Managing Director of the Zandvoort Formula 1 circuit), who also designed Suzuka in Japan, Zolder, Jarama, Nivelles, Hockenheim and other circuits. Robert (Bob) Kite traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe to research the design of the facility. Track management planned to make OMS as a replica of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with many important enhancements. The racing surface

8148-400: Was held in high prestige. The inaugural running was considered a huge success, with 187,000 in attendance. However, it became a CART event in 1979 and the track fell into financial troubles in 1980, closing at the end of that year. Subsequent runnings were never able to match the success of the 1970 event. Indy car races were also held at nearby Riverside , but only from 1967–1969 (prior to

8245-411: Was held on April 6, 1974. This rock festival concert drew a crowd of 300-400,000, the largest paid attendance for a rock concert. Portions of the concert were televised live on ABC. The performers included (in order of appearance) Rare Earth , Earth, Wind & Fire , Eagles , Seals and Crofts , Black Oak Arkansas , Black Sabbath , Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake & Palmer . California Jam II

8342-498: Was held on March 18, 1978. The second event drew a crowd of almost 300,000 paid attendance. Performers included Ted Nugent , Aerosmith , Santana , Dave Mason , Foreigner , Heart , Bob Welch , Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood , Mahogany Rush and Rubicon . By 1980, the Ontario Motor Speedway bonds were selling at approximately $ 0.30 on the dollar. Generally unknown and unrealized by the bond-holding public,

8439-601: Was no need for two federations, and subsequent to Mosley's FIA election, FISA was abolished in structural changes, bringing all motorsport under the control of the World Motor Sport Council. In 1998, amidst the European Commission investigation, the FIA moved its headquarters to Geneva , Switzerland, outside the jurisdiction of the Commission. In 2001, the FIA moved back to Paris following the settlement however it retains its office in Geneva. Also in 1998,

8536-483: Was one lane wider and, unlike the Indy speedway, the short chutes (the two shorter straight-aways, at either end of the track) were banked, which made the OMS slightly faster. Drag racing would take place on pit road, which was longer and wider than the one at Indianapolis. In addition, the OMS was built with an infield road course, making it a facility for both oval and road course style racing in addition to drag racing. At

8633-505: Was open to Formula One and Formula A cars. The fastest ever qualifying lap on the 2.5-mile Oval is 0:44.325 seconds, set by Rick Mears in a Penske PC-7 , during qualifying for the 1979 California 500 . The fastest lap on the original 3.194-mile Road Course is 1:41.257, set by Jackie Stewart in a Tyrrell 001 , during qualifying for the 1971 Questor Grand Prix . The official race lap records at Ontario Motor Speedway are listed as: California 500 (Indycar) The California 500

8730-664: Was represented at the event by his daughter Tricia Nixon , and her husband, Ed Cox. The second event, the Mattel Hot Wheels Super Nationals Drag Race on November 20, drew a crowd second only to the NHRA Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Ontario drag strip proved to be the fastest ever with many world records set. The NASCAR sanctioned Miller High Life 500-mile (800 km) stock car race on February 28, 1971, drew

8827-578: Was set up in 2006 by the FIA Foundation, targeting the creation of safe roads across the world. Critics see it as a tool of the motor industry to increase the acceptability of car-based traffic solutions while blocking alternatives. Following the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix , which saw the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger , the FIA formed an Expert Advisory Safety Committee to research and improve safety in motor racing. Chaired by Formula One medical chief Professor Sid Watkins ,

8924-409: Was signed in August 2009, with the budget cap replaced by a series of cost-cutting measures. The Competition Directorate of the European Commission and the FIA were involved in a dispute over the commercial administration of motorsport during the 1990s. The Competition Commissioner, Karel Van Miert had received a number of complaints from television companies and motorsport promoters in 1997 that

9021-403: Was sold and in a desperate attempt to make the debt service payments the new operators devised a strategy to stage two California 500 races in one fiscal year. For the third California 500, the established and popular Labor Day date was sacrificed for a March 10 date, despite the evidence from extensive original market, traffic and weather research that Labor Day weekend was by a considerable margin

9118-548: Was solely for manufacturers up to the 1981 season when a Drivers Championship title was introduced. From the 1953 season to the 1984 season, titles were awarded to manufacturers of sports cars belonging to two main categories: Sports prototypes (except for the 1978 to 1981 seasons) and GT cars (except for the 1953 to 1961 and 1982 seasons). From the 1985 season to the 1992 season, titles were awarded only to teams entering Sports prototypes (instead of manufacturers of Sports prototypes), excluding teams entering GT cars. After

9215-438: Was subsequently aired as a TV special on NBC. The speedway's board of directors when the track opened consisted of chairman Dan Lufkin , of Donaldson, Lufkin, Jenrette; CEO David Lockton; Donald Riehl, of DLJ; William Loorz, CEO of Stolte Construction; Paul Newman, Kirk Douglas, and Dick Smothers from the entertainment industry; J.C. Agajanian , an American motor sport promoter and race car owner; Parnelli Jones , 1963 winner of

9312-629: Was the 1946 Turin Grand Prix . Then in the 1950 Formula One season , the FIA organised the first World Championship for Drivers . From the 1958 season , a World Constructors' Championship title was introduced, named from the 1958 season to the 1980 season officially as the International Cup for Formula One Constructors . Formula One originated from the World Manufacturers' Championship ( 1925 – 1930 ) and European Drivers' Championship ( 1931 – 1939 ) which were organised by

9409-600: Was the first chairman of the organisation. The FIA later helped establish the Latin NCAP , ASEAN NCAP and Global NCAP . The FIA Foundation was established in 2001 as the FIA's charitable arm. A registered charity in the United Kingdom, the foundation received a US$ 300 million grant from the sale of Formula One's rights to fund research into road safety, the environmental impact of motoring, and to support sustainable motoring. The Make Roads Safe campaign

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