Riverside International Raceway

Riverside International Raceway

LocationCalifornia 60 and Day Street
22255 Eucalyptus Ave Moreno Valley, California 92388
Coordinates33°56′00.2″N 117°16′20.2″W / 33.933389°N 117.272278°W / 33.933389; -117.272278
CapacityVaries by race and track layout
OwnerWest Coast Automotive Testing Corp (1957)
Ed Pauley, Bob Hope, and Fred Levy (1958–1969)
American Raceways Inc. (1969–1971)
Fritz Duda (1971–1989)
OperatorLes Richter (1959–1983)
Fritz Duda (1983–1989)
Broke groundJanuary 1957; 67 years ago (1957-01)
Opened22 September 1957; 67 years ago (1957-09-22)
ClosedJuly 2, 1989; 35 years ago (1989-07-02)
Construction cost$625,000 (inflated to $5,720,818.51 in 2020)
ArchitectWilliam L. Duquette
Former namesRiverside International Motor Raceway (1957–1960)
Major eventsNASCAR Winston Cup
Winston Western 500 (1958, 1961, 1963–1987)
Budweiser 400 (1963, 1970–1988)
Los Angeles Times Grand Prix (1957–1973, 1975, 1979–1987)
Trans-Am Series (1966–1972, 1980, 1983–1984, 1986)
Budweiser 500K (1967–1969, 1981–1983)
SCCA National Championship Runoffs (1964, 1966, 1968)
Formula One
United States Grand Prix (1960)
Long Grand Prix Road Course (1969–1989)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.300 miles (5.311 km)
Turns9
Race lap record1:30.656 (United States Kevin Cogan, Penske PC-10, 1982, CART)
NASCAR Course (1969–1989)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.620 miles (4.216 km)
Turns9
Sports Car Short Course (1969–1989)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.547 miles (4.099 km)
Turns9
Race lap record1:11.079 (Republic of Ireland Michael Roe, VDS-004, 1984, Can-Am)
Original Grand Prix Road Course (1957–1968)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length3.250 miles (5.230 km)
Turns9
Race lap record1:40.400 (New Zealand Bruce McLaren, McLaren M6A, 1967, Can-Am)
Sports Car Short Course (1957–1968)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.595 miles (4.176 km)
Turns9
Race lap record1:20.000 (United States Mark Donohue, McLaren M6A, 1968, Can-Am)

Riverside International Raceway (sometimes known as Riverside, RIR, or Riverside Raceway) was a motorsports race track and road course established in the Edgemont area of Riverside County, California, just east of the city limits of Riverside and 50 mi (80 km) east of Los Angeles, in 1957. In 1984, the raceway became part of the newly incorporated city of Moreno Valley. Riverside was noted for its hot, dusty environment, which was a dangerous challenge for drivers. It was also considered one of the finest tracks in the United States.[1] The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989, with the last race, The Budweiser 400,[2] won by Rusty Wallace,[3] held in 1988. After that final race, a shortened version of the circuit was kept open for car clubs and special events until 1989.[4]

  1. ^ Parker, C. "One of America's finest tracks". racingcircuirs.com. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  2. ^ "Budweiser 400 88". racingreference.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Racing Reference". racingreference.com. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  4. ^ Hansen, B. "After the last race". racingcircuitsinfo.com.