We just got word of a tribute to SoCal’s awesome yet defunct Riverside International Raceway. Check it out:
Riverside, Calif. – – Whether you attended every event that was ever run, or never even got there once in person, just the mention of the name: “Riverside” stirs the soul of all true motorsports fans. The iconic track “…only 60 miles from Los Angeles” closed forever in 1989, its exact location now overgrown by a covey of standard-looking suburban homes, a couple of fast food-“convenience” stores, and a forlorn, half-empty shopping mall.
You really don’t even have to be “of a certain age” to be a part of the magic that long, twisting, turning, undulating strip of asphalt laid down at the foot of the hills just off Day Street was. “Riverside,” was a single word that held a world full of excitement, hard work, horseplay, life, death, and every emotion in between.
People who had no earthly interest in sports cars or road racing still knew what others were talking about when that iconic one-word place name came up in conversation. It was a place of great adventure, of sunburns and frostbite, of dust and more dust, where so many saw races and racers that they still talk about to this day.
And now, there’s a wonderful opportunity planned for everyone who reacts to that word to celebrate, enjoy, remember, revel in and relive those days. The Riverside International Automotive Museum administration has set the weekend of March 27-29, 2009 for a very special Riverside International Raceway reunion event.
Joining forces with Dave Wolin’s annual “Automotive Film Festival”, the “Legends of Riverside” will drop the green flag with a Friday night buffet dinner at the Museum and car films introduced by a discussion panel of well known racers.
Saturday will bring a feature film in the morning, followed by the Can Am / USRRC / F5000 luncheon, with drivers of that era sharing their experiences along with a showing of some rarely seen racing footage.
Following the luncheon an afternoon screening of a feature film will be followed by the “Memories of RIR” dinner; honoring well known racing celebrities of the early days of Riverside, along with the screening of a feature auto racing related film. Plans are for a number of special awards to be presented to those who contributed so much to our racing heritage.
In addition to movies, awards, food, and drink, other events include a silent auction of assorted racing memorabilia, an autograph signing of the event poster by racing personalities and a display of historic Can Am, USRRC and Formula 5000 racing cars. in addition to the many spectacular machines on regular display at the Museum. Most importantly, all proceeds from this inaugural event will go to charities including the Parkinson’s Institute and the Lee Iacocca Foundation.
For complete information, ticket purchases and accommodation availability and a complete schedule of events; visit: www.riversideinternationalraceway.com or www.legendsofriverside.com.
The Museum is located in Riverside at:
815 Marlborough Ste 200, Riverside, Calif. 92507 (951) 369-6966
Public Hours: W- F noon – 4pm Sat 10am -4pm (951) 369-6966
