LA FIM FROM 1904 TO 2004: HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

2004 is the year of celebration of the Centenary of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (International Motorcycling Federation). It was founded on December 21, 1904, in the rooms of the restaurant Ledoyen in Paris, under the name of Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes.

The Motocycle-Club de France organised a race called the International Cup in Dourdan, south-west of Paris, on September 25, 1904 with the participation from Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, and Great Britain. The race was won by France, but disputes arose over the racing conditions. As a result, the sports authorities of the five countries represented joined together and put forward the idea of creating the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM).

The birth of this Federation was, however, premature. In July 1906, on the occasion of the International Cup in Patzau, Bohemia, the delegates of the participating countries - Austria, France, Germany and Great Britain - unanimously decided to dissolve the FICM. But, for a question of procedure, the FICM was not dissolved but just remained inactive, the British Federation (ACU) being the only subscriber as from 1907.

Five years later, the Auto-Cycle Union of Great Britain took the initiative of calling a meeting which was held at Olympia in London on 28 November 1912. Delegates from Belgium, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and the United States were present. The FICM was re-established in order to control and develop the sporting and touring aspects of motorcycling and to assist motorcycle users in those fields. Two weeks later, a Congress was held in Paris in which - beside the countries already mentioned - Germany, Austria and Switzerland also took part. These ten countries are considered as the official founder members of the FICM. The Marquis de Mouzilly St-Mars was elected Patron and the Honourable Sir Arthur Stanley MP President. The following year the first international event held under the aegis of the FICM took place: the International Six Days Reliability Trial.

The number of national associations affiliated to the FICM went up from 10 in 1912 to 30 on the eve of the Second World War. In 1936 took place in the Wembley Stadium the first Speedway World Final, first official World Championship and first World Champion title for Australian rider Lionel van Praag.

In 1937, an agreement was drawn up by the FICM and the AIACR (the International Association of Recognised Automobile Clubs, FIA predecessor) defining their relationship and ensuring very close collaboration between both organisations.

After the war, the FICM resumed its activities in 1946. In 1947 in the Netherlands, an event called cross-country was held with riders of Great Britain, Belgium and Holland: it was the first Motocross des Nations. In 1949, the FICM became the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM). That same year was the start of the most prestigious motorcycling competition: the Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.

In 1951, the FIM was recognised by the Union of International Associations as a non-governmental international organisation. Since 1959, the FIM has been a member of the Federation of Semi-Official and Private International Institutions based in Geneva (FIIG).

Individual Motocross Championships were created during the 50s, first the 500cc then the 250cc, both eventually became World Championships in 1957 and 1962 respectively.

IN 1958, Mr Thomas Wynn Loughborough, FIM Secretary General since its reconstitution in 1912, retired. In January 1959, the headquarters of the FIM were then transferred from England, where the FIM had been located since its re-founding in 1912, to Switzerland, more precisely in Geneva, for reasons of economic and political stability.

In the 60s, it was the turn of Trial to appear, first as a Trophy, then European Championship and finally W

Where:-

April 1 Benelux Valkenswaard

April 15 Spain Bellpuig

April 22 Portugal Agueda

May 6 Italy Mantova

May 13 Germany Teutschenthal

May 27 Japan Sugo

June 10 France St Jean d’Angély

June 17 Great Britain Tba

July 1 Sweden Uddevalla

July 15 South Africa Durban

July 29 Czech Republic Loket

August 5 Belgium Namur

August 19 Northern Ireland Tba

September 2 Netherland Lierop

September 9 Bulgaria Sevlievo

September 23 Motocross of Nations : Budds Creek-USA

Details

MX1/MX2 World championship calendar 2007

Details

MX1/MX2 Calender 2007