Riverside International Raceway
Grand Prix Layout (1969–1988) | |
| Location | 22255 Eucalyptus Avenue Moreno Valley, California 92388 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 33°56′00.2″N 117°16′20.2″W / 33.933389°N 117.272278°W |
| Owner | Sunnymead Land Investors (1971–1989) |
| Broke ground | December 1956 |
| Opened | September 21, 1957 |
| Closed | July 2, 1989 |
| Construction cost | Varies by source; $625,000 to $800,000 |
| Architect | William L. Duquette |
| Former names | Riverside International Motor Raceway (early years) |
| Major events | NASCAR Cup Series Winston Western 500 (1958, 1961, 1963–1987) Budweiser 400 (1963, 1970–1988) Trans-Am Series (1966–1972, 1980, 1983–1984, 1986) Budweiser 500K (1967–1969, 1981–1983) Formula One United States Grand Prix (1960) |
| Long Grand Prix Road Course (1969–1989) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.300 mi (5.311 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:30.656 ( Kevin Cogan, Penske PC-10, 1982, CART) |
| NASCAR Course (1969–1989) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.620 mi (4.216 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Sports Car Short Course (1969–1989) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.547 mi (4.099 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:11.079 ( Michael Roe, VDS-004, 1984, Can-Am) |
| Original Grand Prix Road Course (1957–1968) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 3.250 mi (5.230 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:40.400 ( Bruce McLaren, McLaren M6A, 1967, Can-Am) |
| Sports Car Short Course (1957–1968) | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 2.595 mi (4.176 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:20.000 ( Mark Donohue, McLaren M6A, 1968, Can-Am) |
Riverside International Raceway (formerly known as the Riverside International Motor Raceway in early years) was an auto racing complex in Moreno Valley, California, within Riverside County. The complex throughout its history featured multiple layouts, including various road course layouts, oval layouts, and a dragstrip. From its opening in 1957 until its closure in 1989, the facility hosted numerous major racing events, including Formula One, NASCAR, and IMSA GT Championship events. The track since its closure has been demolished, with a majority of the former track site now occupied by a shopping district highlighted by the Moreno Valley Mall.
After a failed proposal to build a complex in San Bernardino County the year prior, the West Coast Automotive Testing Corporation, led by Rudy Cleye and John Campbell Edgar, built and completed Riverside International Raceway in 1957. The facility soon fell into financial trouble despite the success of the annual Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, and after a brief stints under various owners, the facility was sold in 1962 to a group led by Edwin Pauley, Fred Levy, and Bob Hope. Under the leadership of longtime track president Les Richter, the track was able to enter financial stability and undergo some renovations. In 1969, with new funding from Lawrence LoPatin, the track underwent further renovations, including a redesign. LoPatin's reign was brief due to financial and organizational troubles with his company American Raceways, Inc., leading to the track's purchase by the Fritz Duda-led Sunnymead Land Investors in 1971.
After Richter's departure as president of the track in 1983, plans were made to build a replacement facility to move all operations of Riverside International Raceway to; however, these plans never materialized. After some delays in the construction of the mall, the track ran its last major events in 1988; demolition started in June of that year. After some local events on a shortened version of the track, the facility ran its final events in 1989.