Thanks for the photo's, Frank.
I think I have more stuff in my attic than they do at Moreno Valley. I guess I said it before, but it just makes me sad to see this.

Easier said than done. The land was too valuable to use as a race track. With the ever expanding Los Angeles basin engulfing the track the operation of a race track no longer was the "highest and best use". Yes, I know you do not like to hear that, but the economics of the situation make it such. For anyone, let alone Dan Gurney, to buy the track for sentimental reasons would have been foolish. First of all, the cost would have been enormous. Secondly, the upkeep and taxes would soon become onerous. Third, encroaching civilization would sooner rather than later exert political pressure to shut the place down. It would have been a financially disastrous venture.
As far as Dan Gurney is concerned, in the late 1980s Dan was quite occupied with running the Toyota program in IMSA Camel GT. I would suspect that the last thing he would have wanted to do was to buy and run a race track. He had neither the time nor the money. Plus, I feel sure that Dan was just a little too smart to go down that trail.

The above-written opinion is spot on.

From a recent correspondence with Fritz Duda Jr.:

"... We are now finalizing our transaction with them and will reserve the right to do the memorial…..we should have this complete by January and will be happy to discuss at that time…..thank you for your patience..."

Fritz Duda Jr.


I shall resume contact after the first of the year.

Regards,

Just an FYI

Mark Beckman's GPL version of Riverside has been converted to EA Sports F1 Challenge 1999-2002

It is available here: http://csgt.filefront.com

Screen shots with some discussion of what we are doing is here: http://forum.rscnet.org/showthread.php?t=278791

Feedback from folks who have driven the course would be greatly appreciated (Yes, I know that turn 1 is to tight ). We have a 1980 topographic map of the track and hope to modify this model to match that. Topographic maps from 1957-1963 and from 1963-1969 would helpful as would any engineering plans from work done at the track. Most helpful of all would be the feedback of the drivers.

Thanks

Norm

Sometimes I get depressed reading this forum. I have so many fond memories of RIR (by the way, my initials also happen to be RIR!). I close my eyes, and it seems like it was only a few weeks ago that I was there as a spectator, a track worker, and driving the track at the Jim Russel racing school.


However, on the silver lining side, the tradeoff to Riverside being gone is we now have a magnificent facility not too far away--California Speedway in Fontana. So, take the honey along with the horseradish.................

Having been to both RIR and California Speedway, I can confirm that Fontana is a magnificent facility, but a dismal excuse for a road course. Fontana isn't even a worthy successor to Ontario. At least OMS had a reasonbly interesting layout for its infield circuit, rather than Fontana's half-assed adaptation of its existing access roads.

I was going through my memorabilia box this morning, and I found this--my badge when I was a track worker. Hard to believe it's been 21 years..........

I too spent many happy days at Riverside and burned lots and lots of film there. I also completely agree with Wildman re: Fontana vs. Riverside. I had some laps at Riverside as a passenger in some interesting cars including a Ferrari 512BB that went off track at turn 2. Richard, I think you and I knew some of the same people as I was good friends with a number of corner workers. I was at Fontana a couple of weeks ago and kept thinking how much I missed dirty, dusty, hot and nasty old Riverside. It was easy to get around and had so many good photo spots. Here's one of my mementos.



Cheers,
Kurt

I'm fairly certain they meant "REGIONAL" :




My treasure:

TNF needs to start a new thread on these types of documentations!

What should it be labeled?

Henry

If anyone still gives a shit....

Three emails, one each month, sent exactly one month apart, have yielded zero response... I have little doubt the matter remains unsettled.

If anyone still gives a shit.... Three emails, one each month, sent exactly one month apart, have yielded zero response... I have little doubt the matter remains unsettled.


I was just thinking about this the other day. And yes, I most certainly give a shit.

They promised a response right after the first of the year. It's now April.


Our dream of a memorial to RIR is obviously of little priority to the corporate powers. They would be happy to ignore this forever, or so it seems.

Seems as if we have three choices now.

Choice 1) We forget about ever having a RIR memorial.

Choice 2) What would happen if we, the TNF/riverside Today people, just installed the damn memorial as it was planned? Would Fritz Duda Jr. even know about it? And if he did, would he even give one iota of interest or concern??

Choice 3) Start a vigorous email campain. Get everyone onboard. Hit up everyone with the power to make a decision. Go the to media. With all of the forumites, chances are someone has a public relations background that could advise us.

I have this from the RIR Yahoo! group:

Folks,

I grew up in CA near Riverside International Raceway and went there
way too often as a kid in school.

I am in the process of finding a 400 acre parcel to build a racetrack
in Florida. I spoke with my partners and we would like to rebuild the
Riverside Racetrack as it was with the original design and adding the
paper clip section. Of course modernizing the safety aspect for
today's racing.

Does anybody know where I could get original documents that show
elevation, photos we could use, blueprints, architectural drawings etc?

Thank you very much in advance.

Scott Kuhne
scottkuhne atsign yahoo dotsign com

You might also want to check the scale model Martinsville track shown at
http://p099.ezboard.com/fwebandofbrothersf...picID=105.topic

The builder is making a similar RIR setup; pictures in the Yahoo! RIR photos section.

--
Frank S

Greetings.........You might like to view the following site:
www.rmpracing.com
The CEO, John Condren was a So-Cal club racer that never lost his love for Riverside......Cheers!

http://www.cafepress.com/stanleysstore/2589374 found someone that is still selling Riverside Raceway stuff

Really.... I wonder who their supplier is and if they have license to offer such items?

The very thing that wasn't to occur unless there is a license to do so from whatever controlling entity - perhaps the plot will thicken shortly?

or perhaps some clarity?

Interesting thread, I wonder how I missed it.
My wife saw her first car races there with her mother as she grew up in the area.
As I've only read the last 60 posts, am I right in understanding the project stalled/is stalling just because of a corporation owning the name "Riverside International Raceway"? Is that just it?
I mean is not like if a strip-bar is going to use that name...

Well, sort of...


In a sentence or two - The Fritz Duda Company was to hand over the IP* rights (with certain caveats apparently) along with all of the physical memorabilia and archives to the Petersen Museum. I am lead to believe, that something in the contractual arrangements failed to meet approval on either or both sides and thus has quagmired that negotiation / deal - and with it, our authorization for said IP rights. If you need more info, PM me.

* Intellectual Property = trademarks, copyrights (if any by this point) etc.

Needless to say, inquiries have been made

I see, I see.
There are juste some issues between the Museum and the corporation then, thus making you stall in the project.
(Well... you could put "Riverside Football Club" on the memorial and change later on...)
I understand your frustration, we have the same kind of headaches in Belgium. I'm working also on a same kind project which I had to put on pause recently because of the "landlord".

Hi Antoine,
Richard has been working on this project for YEARS and simply hit a roadblock with politics. Unlike our situation here in Augusta where the official name simply disappeared decades ago.

AIRPS took the chance that no one would come out of the closet and file a protest of some type even though there was an official corporation, with stock, involved in the venture.

I am still hoping that some type of monument will be forthcoming at Riverside, even with a slight name alteration as you suggested.

Henry

Here's some memories for everyone:


http://youtube.com/watch?v=P9glJyVMXjM

Thanks!
Part 1 has some good in-car footage to discover the track from the right spot.

I was poking around the Internet and I found this:


http://riversideinternationalraceway.com/index.html


There's not a lot to it right now, but perhaps in the future it could develop into something very dear to us who remember RIR.

I'll be happy to see it develop into anything near what they propose. Looks like a clear path for someone who has the inspiration and the means.

--
Frank S

Just got off the phone with Doug Magnon. Nice fellow with the same passions and memories that we all have. Seems they've gone and actually built a building to house their collection and set up this non-profit organization to commemorate the Raceway.

Wonderful.

Doug spoke of his family's long history in the area and with the various principals and notable folks surrounding the track and of their ongoing effort to preserve the memories. I invited them to assume the RIR monument project and he invited me to stop by and have a look at their museum.

He is not at all concerned with the FDC and his ire was most evident as he spoke. Perhaps someone will be able to stop by before I get a chance and see what's up over there. I plan on a personal visit next month.

Very cool!


Perhaps we could set up a group visit, with anyone who follows this board welcome to attend. It would be a nice way to meet in person, and to also show Doug that there is a lot of support for his project.

I'm in.

Shall I bring my bench?



That's it, front row just above the windscreen ...

--
Frank S

Can JDavid come or is he still in the slammer?

His term timed out a few years back. Seems to me he went tropical thereafter. Maybe.

Just a note about the RIR Museum by Doug Magnon. I was tardy about seeing the post by doubleR and your reply Richard but as soon as I read them I visited the website then called Doug just to talk. He informed me they were working to establish visiting hours and assemble staff and that if I would like to make an appointment he would be happy to show me the place. We live in Moreno Valley, 20 minutes away, I made an appointment for Friday morning.

Located in a new 2 story building in a new industrial area of Riverside, the building gives no idea to what is inside. At the appointed time my wife Karen and I met Doug and were treated to an hour and a half of Heaven. I’m still sore where I dropped my jaw. Like walking into a true time machine, we were instantly reliving thousands of memories, and Doug smiles like the proud “father” of his efforts. Doug truly is passionate about remembering RIR and has the “illness” we all share about road racing. This place is what every one of us would like to do to preserve the RIR memories. The best part, plans for the museum include accessibility to clubs and organizations for meetings and events, rally destination, etc. His enthusiasm and passion are infectious and I’m as excited about his plans as I was about my first Cal Club driver school at RIR in 1973

Doug Magnon has done an incredible job starting this museum, his efforts and the museum with be deeply appreciated by many, far into the future. Richard, you will not be disappointed and neither will anyone who has an opportunity to visit the RIR Museum.

Thanks for the great report, Bob. Unfortunately, I don't live as close as you (I'm in Long Beach), but one of these days, based on your positive experience, I'll definitely make it out there.

My home office email is movalcadd@aol.com, give me a couple days notice, I'll call the museum and see if we can get the tour. It will be easier to visit once they post thier hours of operation but I don't want to wait that long

Good stuff happening!

Henry

Just ran across this article on SPEEDTV Online about the history of Riverside Intl Raceway.

Riverside

not bad at all

Part 2 of the Riverside article is now online at SPEED.

In case you missed Part 1: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/lifestyle/automotive/39006/


Part 2: http://www.speedtv.com/articles/lifestyle/automotive/39306/

seeing that pic of Riverside getting torn up sure can bring a tear to one's eyes

I'm not even going to view it.

It has been 50 years since RIR opened and lets keep RIR in our uppermost minds this month

Sorry for the short notice, I just found out myself. The Riverside International Automotive Museum, 815 Marlborough Ave # 200 is having an Open House today and tomorrow, Sept 22 and 23 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. I will attend and share my findings. For more info at the Museum, call 951 369 6966, later, Bob Key

We enjoyed a couple of hours at the RIAM last Saturday, weather kept attendance to a slow but constant stream. That gave Doug a chance to personally great guests and give them a tour. I’ve got some pics of the inside of the museum but have not been able to attach them yet. Until I can accomplish that, feel free to email me at movalcadd@aol.com and I’ll be happy to send them to you directly, thanks Bob

Just found this today on RIR:

http://insiderracingnews.com/Writers/AM/091407.html

and this (from pe.com):

Raceway Anniversary

This weekend will mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Riverside International Raceway, a track that closed in 1988 to make room for the Moreno Valley Mall.

Helping commemorate the anniversary is the Riverside International Automotive Museum, which is dedicated to preserving the memory of a track argued by some to be the most important west of the Mississippi.

The museum was founded by Douglas Magnon, now the president, along with his father, Ray. They understand what the track meant to those in the Inland area and beyond.

"People have such fond memories of the raceway," said Magnon, adding that the careers of drivers such as Dan Gurney, Skip Hudson, Swede Savage and Parnelli Jones were all influenced by the raceway. "Couples met at the raceway and were married. There's a tremendous amount of emotion associated with it. The history of the importance of it can't be overstated."

The museum's open house will be Friday through Sunday.

I wanted to put this announcement here since it does involve Riverside and some TNF'ers do not follow the Augusta thread.




During its monthly meeting yesterday AIRPS made a final decision to move forward with placing memorial benches in the "Children's Outdoor Reading Area" at Motorsports Memorial Plaza located at the former Augusta International Raceway that is being developed into Diamond Lakes Regional Park. The reading area contains the AIR monument which is part of a 12,000 square foot outdoor area under development by AIRPS and is next to the Diamond Lakes Community Center/Library Complex. All of this is happening in the infield of the former 3 mile road circuit.

These benches will honor former racing facilities and will be engraved with the names of the former facilities, the dates of operation and the city/state (or country if foreign). Two names being considered for initial benches are Riverside International Raceway and North Wilkesboro Speedway. A final vote will take place during the February 2008 AIRPS meeting and benches should be in place by spring. If possible a third bench will be placed.

This is all made possible by a grant from a major coorporation and we thank them!.




Am headed out and will explain the Riverside/Augusta and North Wilkesboro/Augusta connection upon returning. Sorry.

Henry

Sorry for delay in folow-up! :\

Here is the Augusta connection to Riverside and reason the first granite bench being placed at the memorial site will be in honor of Riverside International Raceway:

http://www.augustainternationalraceway.com/riverside.html

The second granite bench being placed during the next couple of months will be in honor of North Wilkesboro Speedway as the former 1/2 mile oval in Augusta was designed after this former racing facility.

Both of these granite benches will be dedicated at our 5th annual event on September 13, 2008. Hopefully, AIRPS will be able to announce the possible addition of a Lakewood Speedway bench and a Middle Georgia Raceway bench before Sepember. Keep your fingers crossed in hopes of the funding originating.

Also, if you or an organization you are associated with would be interested in placing a granite bench for a former track (any former track worldwide) please send me a PM for details.

These benches are being placed in the "5Wkids Outdoor Reading Area" being developed at the former Augusta complex. By doing so our younger folks will be asking questions about the 200 drivers listed on the current memorial and about far away race tracks engraved on the granite benches.

http://www.augustainternationalraceway.com/memorialpage.html

Henry

Does this information look correct for the memorial benches to be engraved in the next 30 days? Please help as there is no going back once the granite is engraved! :\


September 27, 1957 - July 3, 1989
Riverside International Raceway
Riverside, California


May 18, 1947 - September 29, 1996
North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Henry

The opening race at Riverside was September 21-22, 1957, wasn't it? At least that is what it said in the Motoracing report at the time!

Vince H.

Hey Henry... didn't we go over that? Sept. 21-22, 1957 right? Lots of sources to support the date - mine is Les Richter.

Thanks for your inclusions of the AIR developers' inspirational circuits there on the site.

Yes, thanks Richard and others. I could not locate the response from several weeks ago. The closing date must be accurate? Also, I believe a listed location of Riverside, California is acceptable?

Thanks to all and photographs will be presented when the benches are placed.

The NWS dates have been confirmed.

Henry

Yeah, I looked for that too in my PM box and couldn't find them - must have deleted it... The "official" closing dates you have are correct as far as I know. Technically, it's "County of Riverside" as "Riverside, California" implies the City of Riverside - but I think for your purposes, what you have there will suffice. I'll leave that bit of detail to you and your staff.

Thanks again.

Riverside International Raceway

September 21, 1957 - July 2, 1989

Sources: MotoRacing, Vol. 2, No. 25 (October 4-11, 1957)
Riverside Raceway - Palace of Speed by Dick Wallen

Location is a bit trickier. RIR was definitely not in the city of Riverside. As Richard points out, it was on unincorporated county land. But the small town adjacent the track was Edgemont. Edgemont has faded into history after it, Sunnymead and Moreno were incorporated as the city of Moreno Valley in 1984.

The fact is that where the track site sits is within the Moreno Valley city limits since that time (meaning even it's last four and a half years). Prior to that, while datelines in newspapers read "Riverside", it was actually in Edgemont.