Looking Back: Riverside

GTPlanet, I'm curious about something. When I hear about American race tracks I hear of so many. Among others, I hear of the usuals. Usuals like Daytona, Talladega, Darlington, Hickory, South Boston, North Wilkesboro, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and all them. But when it comes to road racing, I normal hear of Riverside. ESPN Classic once shown a NASCAR race from 1989 at Riverside. I don't know too much about Riverside, but I do know that it's a classic road course in Riverside, California, USA. I don't know too much about it. And at the same time, I kind of want to bring this up for special discussion of this famed American road course.

By looking online, here is a look at the track configuration of Riverside:
http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/rirnew_0.htm (NEW configuration)
http://home.san.rr.com/fsheff/rirold_0.htm (OLD configuration)

People who know American racing may know a thing or two about Riverside. I don't know too much about this track, so I hope you all can provide your commentary. Can this track be restored, and if so, how can we revive this American road course and bring back the smell of racing fuel and the sound of racing brutes reverberating? Now, I think your turn has come up, so make the most of it. Reply now. I'll release a similar thread soon.

Some quick facts I just learned about the Riverside course was that it was an 3/8 oval. If you look at the OLD configuration, you may be treated to some wonderful photos and other resources. Anyhow, let's look back to Riverside.

The only thing I know about Riverside is that it once held a US GP in 1960. That was won by Jack Brabham in a Cooper. (Go Aussie!!!!!) BTW, I was born waaaaay after this happened (1986).

I think the latest "Road and Track" magazine is talking about this same topic. It should provide lots of photos of past races and past race cars including special facts on Riverside. So if you get "Road and Track" magazine, go get it. The feature this month should be on the Corvette C6.

Yuichi

The only thing I know about Riverside is that it once held a US GP in 1960. That was won by Jack Brabham in a Cooper. (Go Aussie!!!!!) BTW, I was born waaaaay after this happened (1986).

Click to expand...

Granted, Black Jack's was the most inspirational drive of the race, but it was won by Stirling Moss in the Lotus 18.

I disinter this thread not only to make a correction of fact, but to update the links included in the Original Post:

Mr Time-Warner Cable changed servers and another parameter or two, and rendered the "san.rr.com" and "fsheff" designation useless.

The mentioned pages are now located at:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~fsheff/rirnew_0.htm (NEW configuration)
http://home.roadrunner.com/~fsheff/rirold_0.htm (OLD configuration)

Best page to enter for Riverside International Raceway information is at:
http://home.roadrunner.com/~fsheff/rirpicts.htm

Perhaps these will help to restore traffic to that site, which lost 90% of its accustomed volume due to Time-Warner's selfish and thoughtless action.

Thank you for your attention.

Frank Sheffield
frank@fsheff.com
http://fsheff.com