Richard - I meant to say monument, not plaque. Sorry.

Hi all,

What a great/moving thread this is. Back in 1989 I went to California (i live in the Netherlands) with a friend of mine. We both needed carparts and we went to a Mailorder-company in Riverside. At that time I knew nothing about the race-course.........reading all this & racing Riverside (NASCAR-layout) in Grand Prix Legends I feel bad not to have gone to the track.

Through the sim Grand Prix Legends i've developed an interest in old racetracks and realize what a great track Riverside must've been. I feel a bit jealous reading about all the races you guys attended !

Good luck with the monument, great effort "rdrcr"

Pieter

PieterN;

If you havent got my version of the 1969'ish layout for GPL its here....

http://markb.m4driving.sm/USGP1960.zip

Thanks Mark

I had already downloaded it a few hours before your reply. I saw an update for your track by Klas and am going to try that as well.

Pieter

UPDATE...

The little Monument project has received a date for presentation to the Moreno Valley City Council. In an informal study session, Sept. 17th, I along with staff from PRAC will explain the concept and answer questions.

These study sessions allow for a more in-depth presentation and with any luck, a formal presentation won't even be necessary as they could adopt the proposal and just allocate the necessary funds towards it's maintenance as part of the new Community Center.

BTW, The Community Center is supposed to be started this coming October with completion scheduled for late spring. The developer has been made aware of my desire to have the grand opening coincide with the unveiling ceremony and is considering the idea.

Preliminary funds rasing efforts have so far, not materialized. (lots of positive feedback though) But without formal approvals from Moreno Valley, that is to be expected.

I used to watch the races at RIR on ESPN, now I saw the "Press Enterprise" that the sign to RIR is gone and where the sign was is going to be a shopping center, so there is nothing left of Riverside International Raceway (unless someone has a mind to rebuild it somewhere else)



Here is the Link:
http://www.pe.com/localnews/opinion/editor...c.1817bd16.html


and this is my 1st post on the old RIR
Jason


P.s: I found a Topo image of the old Riverside course it is:
http://terraserver.homeadvisor.msn.com/ima...y=4693&z=11&w=2

UPDATE...

Well, I had our little meeting with the Moreno Valley City Council...


And,


It was an unqualified success!

The PRAC assistant director, Karen Reams accompanied me and made a short introduction. Then I gave another short but forceful talk on the merits of such a historical monument. Many questions were asked and all were dealt with. The press was there too, an article should be forthcoming in Riverside's Press Enterprise newspaper soon.

A formal presentation with the public present, will be scheduled for later this month or early Oct... where it is sure to pass - I was led to believe.

Once the formal approvals have been granted, the fund raising effort will commence. The councilman stated that he would assist in that regard as well, as he is acquainted with Fritz Duda Jr. and Sr. amongst others who he felt would gladly contribute. I will also begin search for a suitable monument co. to get the bidding process started.

We are trying to coincide the unveiling with the grand opening of the TownGate Community Center. Also, the theme of having the bulk of the memorabilia given to Moreno Valley installed in the Community Center was discussed. It appears that this too, will happen to one degree or another.

The district's councilman, was very excited about the prospects of putting on the gala event.

The unveiling ceremony should be quite a party, all of you that are interested will be sent an invitation of course.

Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.

Kind Regards,

Great news, Richard!

Thanks for the considerable and effective effort you have put towards the Monument.

well done!! Now you need a decent line-up of race cars at the unveiling to really impress them!!

Incredibly good work on this effort Richard!

This article below appeared in the Press Enterprise today. I grew up in Riverside and I miss the track terribly. I enjoy being able to race two "virtual" versions of the track in the Grand Prix Legends and NASCAR Legends PC simulators (great work Mark -- I can tolerate the few graphic inaccuracies ). I can't wait to come back home and see the memorial. Hopefully, there will be a way to incorporate the raceway sign recently removed from adjacent to hwy 60.

Enjoy the article everyone. Richard certainly deserves the recognition!

Dr. Mike Cornelison



Local News


Fans seek to recognize ex-raceway
MEMORIAL: Moreno Valley embraces a plan to commemorate the former Riverside track.

09/23/2002

By PAT MURKLAND
THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE


MORENO VALLEY - It began with an Internet forum for racing enthusiasts from around the globe, who shared nostalgic stories about the former Riverside International Raceway.

Their words and memories evolved into a project to build a monument to the famed raceway that once drew international attention to Inland Southern California.

Moreno Valley leaders have embraced the plan for a monument that would be built with private funds at a city community center and park under construction close to the former raceway's pits northeast of Eucalyptus Avenue.

Karen Reams, the city's recreation superintendent, said the 4,000-square-foot community center will continue the raceway theme, possibly by displaying memorabilia. She suggested that an adjacent tot lot and playground might have toy race cars for children.

The 6-foot concrete monument will be shaped like the raceway, project leader Richard Holub said. Racers recall fondly the esses -- a serpentine series that made up turns one through five -- along with the more than one-mile-long straightaway and the big hairpin turn.

A bronze plaque will tell the story of how, from 1957 to 1988, the raceway's more than 500 acres and 3.25-mile road course were the setting for racing fame and glory.

"RIR is one of the places where racing legends got to be legends," Holub said.

The birthplace for the International Race of Champions, the raceway hosted almost every major form of motorsports until making way in 1988 for construction of houses and stores.

A crane recently removed the faded sign that was the raceway's last presence near the Day Street ramp on Highway 60. Like the raceway, the sign made way for construction.

Holub, an Orange County resident, said the idea for a monument began at www.atlasf1.com, an Internet haven for Formula 1 racing enthusiasts. When he discovered there was no historic marker, a proposal to build one picked up speed in an e-mail exchange there called "Riverside Today."

Fans of the old raceway offered money, design work and other resources along with their memories. Holub said there are no price estimates yet for the monument.

City officials hope to time the monument's unveiling with the opening of the park and community center. They are scheduled to be completed next spring or summer, part of construction of a nearby subdivision.

Reach Pat Murkland at (909) 567-2410 or pmurkland@pe.com

link to article: http://www.pe.com/breakingnews/local/PE_NE...ce23.a17c2.html

Thanks Doc! I was just about to post an update, but you beat me to it... And, thanks to both Paul and Gary for their words of support and encouragement.

You're right Gary, a fine show it will be too. It's in the plans - to be sure.

Once the "formal approvals" have been issued, look for more prominate articles to be written in national publications like; Road & Track, Car and Driver, etc.

This is something I would love to use as an excuse to get back out to SoCal for a few days.....


A big for Richard!

Richard,
Well done

It looks like things are starting to actually move
forward.

Let me know if you need any assistance regarding
publicising the event.

Graham Clayton

You bet Don, it would be good to have you attend and thanks for your support... Notice the shameless self-promotion for Atlas F1 in the local press. I've just been informed that the article for the L.A. Times is in the works.

Thanks Graham, I'll let you know.

From what I've seen, there is one name that should be prominently displayed on the monument: "AtlasF1's Richard The Organizer." What a marvelous accomplishment this will be. I'd have to guess that some place down the road, Moreno Valley will be grateful that he stepped up and set it in motion.

I'm dismayed to find I missed all the early steps. I never thought I was the only one who mourned RIR's passing. I know from visitors to my site (so generously mentioned by Mark) who have sent messages there is widespread gratitude to RIR for what it provided. I hope the monument will reflect that for those not fortunate enough to have known its bounty. And now a monument in the works. BRAVO!

When it comes to inscriptions, I think it important to emphasize the voluntary nature of "service" to the cause at RIR. Were it not for workers from the Cal Club, Long Beach MG Club, Women's Sports Car Club, and other independents, there would have been no activities to celebrate. If the debt to volunteers is mentioned on the monument, big attraction for current and past club members and contributors to visit, attend the unveiling, and spend. Oops.

Spend. Here's my suggestion: you want to get the merchants involved in RIR The Monster From The Past. How can you do that? I don't know who runs the "Hollywood Walk Of Fame," all those bronze stars in the pavement along Hollywood Boulevard, but seldom a month passes when some entertainment figure doesn't have his/her/their star unveiled with attendant fanfare. How about a "RIR Course Of Fame"? Bronze wheels with famous racers' names embossed. Run them around the periphery of the shopping areas or in front of the stores' interior entrances.

I understand the original Hollywood stars were funded by the Chamber Of Commerce or some branch like that. Today, it seems, anyone with a name and three grand to pay for it can be installed. If the mall interests could see the value of such a project, and invest in the first twenty or so stars for Hall Of Fame drivers who performed at RIR, you can bet that every hotshoe with an agent will come up with the dollars and the occasion. Most of them pass through SoCal for one event or another, like Fontana in November, and all. Wouldn't YOU go to Moreno Valley to look down on Ah Jota Foyt's wheel? Eh? And your amateur sportsmen could buy their own through some modest "fan club" arrangement . . .

Any road, I'm thrilled and delighted to find this list, thanks to Richard. And very excited about the prospect of a monstrous crowd at the dedication and unveiling.

Please visit my RIR pages and help me with corrections and additions.
http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/rirpicts.htm

Thanks,

Frank S

Fantastic Richard, congratulations on your efforts.

Now, how about coming over to Europe and sorting out the same for Rouen Les Essarts. The only sign there is a bus stop called ' Circuit Auto ' as you approach the old pits.

Hey Frank,

I'm glad you found your way to TNF... Thanks for your kind words, but it ain't over yet, though I'm pretty sure the RIR Monument will be approved. Then the next task is to raise the $25,000 plus dollars necessary to build, create the inscription and erect the monument, not to mention the unveiling ceremony, that party should be 10k easy. I have contacted a monument maker in Riverside, (ironically he used to autocross), he was very familiar with RIR and has offered to help with the promise of a great price and to give us exactly what we want. He suggested that a granite monument will require much less maintenance and will last a forever. There appears to be some problem with preserving the bronze inset, with regards to maintenance and longevity. We're working on a solution though.

I really liked your ideas about the racing walk-of-fame. I was thinking that the sections of the walk could be devoted not only to the drivers, but team owners, crew-chiefs and other prominent members of the racing fraternity - both in auto and motorcycle racing. Each, with their own type of symbol, a steering wheel for the drivers as you suggested, a wrench for the crew-chiefs, transporter (or ?) for the owners, T.V. camera for the commentators, etc., etc.

We are also studying the feasibility of creating small bronze replicas of the monument (paper-weight size) for sale during and after the event. It would be a good way of raising a few extra bucks to defer costs. I also liked your idea of remembering the volunteers that assisted so many of the major events. I'll draft a short little commemorative paragraph to be included with the rest of the inscriptions.

BTW, thanks for your time and effort you have put forth with your website in preserving the history of the famed circuit.

Hope to see you back here on a regular basis.


Thanks Chris, one step at a time...


To all, I've received a lot of emails since that Press Enterprise article hit, from devoted fans like Frank and some from racing-celebs like Bobby Allison and Chris Economaki. All are interested in what is going on and I assume, many will take the effort to participate in the unveiling ceremony. I am responding to each of them with information, updates, etc., and urging them to tell everyone they know about the effort. There is really getting to be a groundswell of support for this little project.

Stay tuned, and thanks again for your support.

Well I just read in the Press Enterprise that the old Riverside Raceway Sign just gave way to a Lowes Home Improvement Wharehouse and I just found a list of movies/TV shows that was shot at RIR:

The Love Bug (1968)

Speedway (1968--Staring Elvis Presley)

CHiP's (Drive, Lady, Drive, 2 part series)

On the Beach (1959)

Stacey (1973)


and the Sports networks were there :

ABC and ESPN

and we would hate to forget about the worst race ever held:

1986 LA Times Grand prix in which Doc Bundy (any relation to "Married... with Children" character Al Bundy?? ) wrecked the car of Lyn St. James at turn 1 and another car.

and I think I know a good area to rebuild good old Riverside Raceway, it has over 7,000 acres and is in a nice little town called Chattanooga, Tennessee and the town is begging for a track (reason: too many people want to street race in this town) :\

Jason (In Nearby Ringgold, GA)

here is the piece on the sign from the PE:

Raceway sign reaches the finish : MORENO VALLEY: The landmark structure is torn down. A hardware store will be built there.

By MELISSA EISELEINTHE PRESS-ENTERPRISE |

MORENO VALLEY
The old Riverside International Raceway sign, a teal-and-white landmark seen from the 60 freeway for decades, was removed Tuesday to make way for a Lowe's hardware store.

"It's a shame to watch all the history of Moreno Valley be torn down," said longtime Moreno Valley resident Roy "Pete" Bleckert, 62.
Bleckert remembers when the raceway opened and the day it closed. He was at both races, he said.
"It opened during my senior year in 1957. There were three 500s (500-mile races) that year," Bleckert said. "That was my whole life when I was a teenager until it shut down (in August 1988).
Removal of the sign has left mixed feelings for many Moreno Valley residents. For some, it's a natural part of the city's progress. For others, such as Bleckert, it's a historical loss.
"They certainly don't need it for their business," Mayor Charles White said of the Lowe's store. "I hope they give it to the historical society."
Officials at Lowe's corporate office in North Wilksborough, N.C., could not be reached for comment.
City employees met with Moreno Valley residents before the removal to brainstorm a way to save the sign that has been a landmark since the 1960s, but they didn't reach a viable decision, said Moreno Valley Councilwoman Bonnie Flickinger.
"It would be costly and would be a physical challenge," Flickinger said.
As cars on the eastbound 60 sped past the Day Street onramp, workers with a crane removed the sign in pieces.
It is unclear what will happen to the sign.
"It's a Lowe's question," Moreno Valley spokeswoman Angela Rushen said.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

so so so sad for Riverside International Raceway to die like that and at the age of 31

Richard:

Thanks for the welcome. This is a wonderful place for me. I hope I can contribute something interesting (and On Topic) from time to time.

#######

Josh:

Nice idea, that Chattanooga thing. Every community should have a racetrack. I'm afraid every community has a street racing problem these days. Thirteen dead in San Diego so far this year, street racing responsible. They do approved eighth-mile drags in the Stadium parking lot, but it's like guns: safe shooters aren't the problem.

About movies at RIR:

Here's one you never heard of:

http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/pits.htm

And here's the skinny on "On The Beach":

http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/pits5.htm

Someone wanted more recognition for Skip Hudson; he's in the OTB article. It also turns out it's the Lola T70 he drove (in the 1966 USRRC) that Steve McQueen is using for a prop in the photo at:

http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/pits4.htm#McQ

#############

Jim:

I know of another who should be on the list of deceaseds at RIR. I just can't remember his (French or Anglicized French) name. Two years ago I could. Olding is double-plus ungood. He was another TR2-3 driver whose chassis flexed him into trouble (Turn 5), like Vic Tandy (Turn One-Two?). I have a copy of one Harald Treichler Tandy-aftermath photo.

Honestly, I think it is good to dedicate some thought and sentiment to the lost drivers, but with a history long and varied as RIR's I'm not sure you'll ever get a list you can be confident enough of to engrave in granite.

#######

That "30 years of RIR program covers" link didn't work for me. This one does:

http://progcovers.m4driving.sm/motor/riverside.html

#######

All:

Please don't hesitate to tell me if you think I've been unfair or inaccurate or otherwise faux-pas-ed here or on my site. I might sulk a little, but will try to make it right or better.

Thanks for your attention,

Frank S
San Diego CA USA

Frank,

you have the coolest website on Riverside that I ever seen . If Riverside International Raceway was in Chattanooga, Tennessee, it would be as accurate as the original . Right now, Chattanooga has a drag strip, 2 dirt ovals and a motocross track and right now Chattanooga has enough undevloped land (and 7,000 acres of a VAAP site) to build a complete replica of the entire Riverside International Raceway course (and all I need are the blueprints of everything related to RIR and see if Chattanooga wants to make it a name for itself, just like Riverside did back in the 1950's). If Riverside was built in Chattanooga, NASCAR would have to get rid of Sears Point (or Watkins Glen) and add Riverside back to its schedule and it would be so cool to see the legends like Ricky Rudd, Bill Elliott, Ken Schrader, Mike Waltrip and a ton of others go insane on Riverside's esses. We can also see the IMSA boys go insane and the CART guys will need a drink after their 500 miles of racing . And I know that before the 1st official race, the Riverside Raceway's Flagstand will be known as the Harold Kinder Memorial Flagstand to remember NASCAR flagman Harold Kinder (he passed away back in 1994 and was the last flagman to wave the green, yelow, pass, white and checkered flags in 1988 for the IROC and NASCAR races that weekend) and if anyone wants to turn RIR into something else I would be saying "(enter word here) no you (enter words here) you will not turn Riverside International Raceway into a (enter words here) mall or a auto plant, the original RIR is now a (enter words here) shopping mall with people living in the (enter words here) racetrack." and that is my 2 cents :\


I saw your pics of RIR and it is very to see something like that go
and where the RIR front strech was, someone should add a white line and add Riverside on that street

Along those lines, I ran across another fatality at RIR while doing a project for another TNF member.

Stuart Dane died in a F3 crash in turn 9 in 1963 (no date was given other than it was the season opener for SCCA/Pacific Coast Championship). The crash was described as happening at almost exactly the same spot as Pat Pigott's the previous October, noting Dane's car went under the guard rail at turn 9.

Unfortunately, my usual source turns up nothing on Stuart Dane. No age, no date.

It's interesting how many of the fatalities turn up in either the Dick Wallen book ("Riverside: Palace of Speed") or Ed Watson's project, "Tribute" (with contributions from many racing historians, like our very own Don Radbruch)...yet, a few I've run across that were in neither and several that were in one but not the other.

I am confident I have accurate listing of all of the professional four wheeled racing fatalities, I've always noted that the club races are a different thing alltogether.

But, you're right about that Frank. All I can do is the best I can.

And great suggestion saluting the course workers, officials and volunteers that provided so much to RIR's history.


Jim Thurman

UPDATE...

an email just received from Ms. Karen Reams:

RE: RIR Monument

Dear Richard,

We have scheduled this for Nov. 12 City Council Meeting. So far - all great comments! This meeting starts at 6:30 pm and it is under consent items, so should go quickly.

Unfortunately, George and I will be flying back from a conference in Reno that night. Steve, our Parks and Facility Manager will be present and he is aware of the project. This project will go with flying colors!!

Let me know if you have any questions.

Karen




... looks like a done deal on the entitlements!

To Jim & Frank,

There has been some discussion of leaving the "memorial section" off of the monument, for exactly that reason. There may have been many club racing incidents that claimed lives, and those of the motorcycling world that we are also unaware of. Though I have been in contact with the AMA and they are providing all statistics they have of the events they held there. But the same holds true in club racing for motorcycles, there might have been casualties that may be hard to trace, until such loved one comes forward with that bit of lost information.

In that light, it may be in the best interest of everyone, that the memorial list be created on parchment paper and framed in the entrance hall - along with the countless other memorabilia that is being planned to be displayed there. (in theory)

In this way, any new additional info may be added without consequence to the sculpture itself.

Nonetheless, we will use our best efforts in compiling this information so that every possible individual who lost their life on track is recognized and remembered.

If it should come to pass that the entire theme of the Community Center will be about RIR, I will strongly recommend to the City Council that this avenue be taken... Your opinions I hope, will be the same.

Sounds great Richard. I like that idea even better than inscriptions in granite.

The whole theme idea is better still


Jim Thurman

UPDATE...

Tomorrow, the project comes before the City Council and the general public for final approval.

Bids have started to roll in: Black granite monument, polished and engraved $24,000 (plus I'll need a way to get it off the truck - figure another $500 or so, for that minor addition).

Another, for the original fabrication idea, is around $20,000 (some problems are the type of lexan / tempered glass top to prevent deterioration of the bronze. Plastic coatings / laminates are also being studied. Any advice in this area would be appreciated.

The planning for the unveiling ceremony is tentatively scheduled for next May - when the weather is very nice in that part of Southern CA.

The fundraising process will be 10/10's underway later this week if all goes well. Look for news articles in your favorite racing publications.

I'll be working to set up some sort of structure for a one-time tax deductible benefit for the contributors.

Richard, many, many thanks for all your unstinting work to date. Riverside holds a very warm place in my heart. Stationed at Ft Irwin, in the high desert halfway between L.A. and Vegas, for several months in 66/67, I made sure to get to RIR as often as I could.

When my fiancee and I decided to marry, the choice of location was unanimous: we were wed in the courthouse in downtown Riverside in Mar 67 and are still living "happily ever after". So you see that Riverside has a very strong place in both our marital and racing hearts.

Put me down for $100, please.

Lotus23 - Thanks for the contribution! It's very much appreciated.

UPDATE...


Ok folks...

It's a done deal as far as the approvals go.

The Moreno Valley City Council unanimously passed the project. In addition, they also asked for a plan to see that the collection of Riverside Raceway Memorabilia would be housed in the Community Center as a permanent exhibit and carried as a theme (at least for the entry hall).

I was really happy about this one! This will be very cool...

A suitable monument maker has been identified as the go to guy. Other bids continue to be received, but he has the reputation and the talent to get this job done right. His bid was approx 25k.

The City and PRAC have offered to be of as much assistance as they can, logistics, ceremony planning etc are being studied. In addition, some inquires are being made to potential "deep pocket" contributors such as the developer doing the Community Center, Fritz Duda Jr. and others.

There is a timeline. I hope to raise all of the money in 45 days. At the very least, we'll need 50% for a deposit, then 50% upon completion of the monument. This fundraising process, in whole or part, should be completed by the end of January so that there is adequate time for the monument to be constructed by the end of May. It will take approximately 4 months to construct. If it takes longer so be it, but we have to start somewhere as they are planning the grand opening for the Community Center in late May.

I asked a PRAC representative to try and help pin down the developer and the city to some sort of timeframe (a two week window would be good at this point). I anticipate that they will have a very good idea in a month or so.

We'll need some sort of top 10 or 15 auto events and a top 5 or 10 motorcycle events to list, a short and sweet narrative on the story of how it came to be and short commemoratives for track workers, fans, Invitations to various racing stars, press and others involved with the track will need to be assembled, etc. etc.

More later...

Fantastic, Richard! I was thinking about the meeting last night, hoping for success.

How will you be taking contributions, can I mail you a personal check?

Wow, memorabilia, where do you start? Pictures, programs, facility bits, car bits? I've got a couple event programs in good condition, one from the final NASCAR race. Dick Wallen's book might have something from which to develop an appropriate summary dedication.

Let me know if you need help with anything.

We are all indebted to you for your time and dedication to this project Richard.

Thank-you.

Nothing lasts forever, but a great snap shot in time it was, glad it was there, then not being there at all.

Hi Richard,

I just wanted to congratulate you for your perseverance and dedication on this wonderful project.
WONDERFUL !!



Michel

Thank you so much Richard for initiating, organising and persevering in this wonderful project to remember Riverside, we are very much indebted to you I guess I'm a newcomer and only heard about Riverside when I went to the (then new) California Speedway around 1998 and learnt that a couple of miles away there used to be this magic track called Riverside where a lot of racing had taken place over the years, which got me interested and reading up on it and I've been following this thread with a lot of interest I've got this stats book on IndyCars and looked up the IndyCar/CART stats for Riverside. Well they only raced there 1967-69 and 1981-83 but Dan Gurney was certainly the man to beat there end of the sixties! Looking at the map that was provided at the start of this thread, I would love to go back to that area (and will do if I get the chance) and look up the streets with legendary drivers names and sort of try to figure out where the actual track would have run. A memorial will be a fitting tribute appreciated by many people. Thanks to everyone who has posted information here, this is a wonderful thread

A Non-Profit Organization is currently being set up. Contributions should be made payable to:

The Riverside International Raceway Monument . Please make sure that the word "donation " appears in the memo line of your check.

It will just take a short while for all the forms to get processed. I shall furnish a mailing address very soon.

Thanks everyone for your support and I hope you can all make the unveiling ceremony. It should be a really fun occasion.

Stay tuned, we have a latest and greatest illustration coming

Wouldn't go that far but hopefully it gives the general idea/impression of what you are tying to produce....

Thanks Len...

For a bit better idea of what is being thought about... I'll try to illuminate verbally, what we are looking at.

The entire monument is made of a single block of black granite. The lighter areas in the main body of the sculpture and the the top surface in the center is a semi-smooth finish of the stone, the outer edges (representing the main circuit) are highly polished. The corner numbers will be cast in bronze and set in the monument at their respective corners. The various courses should be depicted - for this illustration, I asked Len to only include the short NASCAR 2.6 mile course, the straight section leading to turn 9 and the small oval. We could add other layouts, but it might get confusing and limit space where text might be placed.

Inscriptions can be placed on the front of the monument as well, adjacent to the monuments' title. Also, some inscriptions may be placed on the top surface.

What and where do you think the various contents should be located? I was thinking that the story and the main characters and recognitions should go on top while some of the major auto and motorcycle events, dates, etc. could go on the front.

Your input is valued and welcome.

Thanks.

Inscriptions are gonna be tough since you'll want to balance content, credit and readability.

Wallen's book would be a good place to start.

I also think that a general statement honoring those who lost their lives would be more appropriate and practical than a list of names of the deceased.

Right you are Paul. I suspect we'll be going through many drafts of material, content and layout.

Do you have a copy of this Wallen book I could use? I also think that Frank could be of some help with the content and location maps etc.

Thanks for your offer to donate some RIR literature - I'll pass your offer along to the powers that be.. And thanks also for your offers of monetary and other contributions.

I'd agree with your suggestion about some broad based verbiage to address those lost in competition. We touched on that previously and its resolution can be found above.

Thanks again and I'll be in touch regarding some things that you might be able to assist with.

What an exciting time! I can taste the adrenaline already. Richard, I hope you put your modesty aside for a moment and accept the proportion of credit you deserve.

Thank you.


I finally got to put on the roof I'd been saving for, and will be ready to contribute cash and effort very shortly.

Could we get an idea of what the Center and entry hall are like? Are they thinking about wall hangings or cases, or (what do you call the glass-top tables with exhibits?)?

I think it should be clear and explicit from the beginning who has ownership of memorabilia. I know some donors will make gifts; others, loans. If a donated piece goes off-exhibit, what provisions will there be for its safekeeping or return? Who will have the final say as to the particulars of display?

Lots of practical and philosophical museum-type questions to be considered.


I agree that Wallen's book is a good starting point for a history. I think you'll find him like many others who have published non-fiction books: people who know different "facts" from those that appeared on paper will have contacted him. He'll probably be eager to update, and maybe help formulate a suitably sized document for inscription.


Thanks again for your investment of time and spirit.


Frank Sheffield
frank@fsheff.com
http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/rirpicts.htm

Well as I understand it, some sort of built-in display cabinets are being studied. This would offer the best viewing without impeding ingress and egress in main hallway. I don't know if they are contemplating display tables (the glass-top tables you refer to) but I could inquire. The whole Community Center end of this thing is being handled by the developer, his architect and interior designers and PRAC. I can make suggestions I guess, but I doubt they are looking for another committee member.

EDIT: I understand that the tile entry will be done in black & white checkerboard.



The city owns a fair amount of memorabilia - just a portion can be viewed at city hall at the entrance to council chambers. I don't know that any additional memorabilia is necessary but I'm sure it would be welcome. I don't want to make this element too complicated. If someone wants to donate a piece of RIR History to the City for display, I'll put them in contact with someone at PRAC.

I don't think the entire building will be devoted to showing the entire inventory, just the entry hall -I gathered this info about the direction that the City Council, the developer and PRAC were headed in at the last City Council Meeting.



I hope to get a copy soon. In addition to the the material that the City has, we could furnish them with an aerial map of where the track would be - superimposed on a current photo. Also the racers lost in the battle of competition could be framed and hung in the hall... new exhibits of this nature.

WOW!

Incredible job Rich!!!

I am lost for words and I'll certainly do my part and send over some cash - making the check out now in fact!

Richard,
I'm sorry I missed you at the Council Meeting Tues evening, I was / am looking forward to meeting you and assisting you with this endevor any way I can. I arrived at the meeting about 15 min late and the proposal for the monument had been approved! A very good sign indeed when the City likes your proposal. I have been following this thread and want to join the many people who thank you so much for all the work and determination you have devoted to this nobel cause.
Without getting too long winded here, my wife Karen and I were SCCA CalClub workers and competitors at RIR from the early 70's until the "last laps" races in '89. We moved here to Moreno Valley in '83 when it was called Sunnymead to be close to RIR. Our time spent at "The Track" still provides us with fond memories too numerous to count and we are looking forward to making new friends and memories with you and others that believe in the monument.
As you may know, after devoting so much time and effort to this, getting the approvals is really just the "first step", now the "real work" starts. Please call me and others if we can be of any assistance, we are eager to help. Thank you again, Bob Key 909 242 8063, fax 909 924 1473, e-mail movalcadd@aol.com

UPDATE


To all that made pledges, thank you very much for your generous contributions. To those that would like to contribute, we look forward to your kind gifts for what we feel is a long overdue tribute to one of America's greatest racing circuits.

Once more...

make your check out to: Riverside International Raceway Monument and send to:

Riverside International Raceway Monument Fund
PMB325
P.O. Box 68021
Anaheim, CA 92817-0821

Paul Barr has graciously offered to oversee the processing of the donations and management of the account.

Please remember to include the word Donation on your check, it will be tax-deductible.

Thanks again for all of your support!



Bob, Thanks very much for your offer to help, please check your email.

Andy, Thanks... It's appreciated!

Richard,

Keep up the good work on RIR . There should be a website devoted to Riverside Raceway and all the rich history devoted to it like riversideraceway dot net (and if I can get Riverside Raceway built in Chattanooga, Tennessee, there will be fans flocking to that track like bees on honey ) oh well, that is in the near future for Chattanooga, TN.

HI RICHARD. It,s been great following this THREAD for the last couple of mounths an iam so pleased that you have got it up an running , Riverside was my 1st introduction to racing in the states back in the early 70,s F5000 cars where just wonderfully to see an hear at that place.

ALL POWER TO YOU AN ATLAS F1 WELL DONE.

Hello Richard,

I had read about this thread and the Memorial project a few weeks ago in the newspaper. I'm very happy to hear that the city council approved the project! I am a resident of Moreno Valley since '93 and as an avid race fan (especially CART) I have often found myself mulling around the area of the old track, just trying to envision where the asphalt was and what it must have been like there. Even though I never attended a race there, I used to pass by it every year on my way to and from Palm Springs for Spring Break and would always try to catch a glimpse of the cars on the track. I always get a wierd feeling going down there now, as to the incredible amount of history made for so many years at that site. I am very interested in making a donation to the fund. I will be sending a check tomorrow! I THANK YOU for your efforts and keep up the Great Work!

BTW - The next step will be getting the mall torn down and rebuilding the track! Now THAT would be something!

Thanks again,

Larry R. (aka CARTNUT on 7thGear)

Larry, I'm with you, when can we start on the new track ?!! If you look at previous post, we too are Moreno Valley dwellers, give me a call sometime if you like. Maybe over a few tall cool ones here, I can help you "remember" the old days, later, Bob

Latest update on the proposed concept....



As reviously described by rdrcr...The entire monument is made of a single block of black granite. The lighter areas in the main body of the sculpture and the the top surface in the center is a semi-smooth finish of the stone, the outer edges (representing the main circuit) are highly polished. The corner numbers will be cast in bronze and set in the monument at their respective corners. The various courses should be depicted - for this illustration, as requested, I've only included the short NASCAR 2.6 mile course, the small oval and the 1988 alterations to turn 9. (I think)

Feedback is requested

Thanks

I think the concept is stunning, but I'm wondering how the viewer will make sense of the multiple layouts. What could be provided along with the monument (as part of an adjacent exhibit) are illustrations of the different tracks by themselves. What I am picturing is a series of individual color illustrations with a brief description the layout. It could have the why's of each track, races run there, etc.

FW,

Thanks very much for your fine work and for posting the illustration.



How about a legend? With some sort of description that defines the the original track and the later additions and changes that occured. (the double-line features and the change of pit access)

Those color illustrations of the different configurations and which races were run on them are being developed and hopefully they will incorporated in the interior of the center's entryway.

Richard,

Okay, I"m over here now reading your thread (after just posting the one on Johnny Dumfries). I have Dick Wallen's book. If you want to borrow it let me know and I'll send it to you. It has every race that was run there. You can send me your address via PM and I'll overnight it to you. I can get it back from you whenever you are finished - there's no hurry.

Rich

Hey Rich!

I just logged back in... Regarding the Wallen book, how's this for getting the job done? I contacted Dick Wallen personally and humbly requested a personal piece just for the Monuments' inscription. He said that he would pull a few things from the book and write something specific for the RIR Monument project. It will be about the history of the track and the those that made it happen... I understand that it is on its way to me as I write this.

Pretty cool huh?

Though I might just take you up on your offer... in case we need to do any further research. Though I think we're getting things pretty much assembled for what will be inscribed. Then we'll move it around and do some more editing etc. and come up with a plan.

Check your PM's