Riverside International Raceway
Hot, dusty, and dangerous, Riverside International Raceway was nevertheless one of the most popular and iconic American road circuits in it's day.
Work began on the circuit in early 1957, instigated by Rudy Cleye, a German immigrant with previous sports car racing experience, and bankrolled after funding difficulties by John Edgar. The course wound around the natural topography of the area, through a series of challenging esses before entering a long downhill back straight, almost a mile in length. The first races took place in September 1957 with Richie Ginther and Ricardo Rodriguez winning the two sports cars events.
By the 1980s, the increasing expansion of the Los Angeles suburbs meant that the circuit, which was built in the open desert, was now surrounded by the City of Moreno Valley. Increasing property values, and noise complaints signalled the end for the Riverside International Raceway, and the circuit closed for good in 1988. Little remains of the old track, which is now covered by a shopping mall and residential housing.
CHORC-2004-Q2 - Riverside
