In July of 1988, a record 729 racers from all over the western United States assembled for the marketed “Last Lap of Riverside” Regional/National race weekend. The event ran as usual, but concluded with a special Last Lap Ceremony and worker photo op. As they knew it at the time, that was the last hurrah for SCCA racing at Riverside International Raceway.
At the end of the 1988 season, the Southern California racing community had accepted that their time at Riverside was over. A vintage race was the last race at the facility before Cal Club, which operated the track, closed the track for good. Some unexpected people appeared at the event to say their final goodbyes to a track that they loved, even if they weren’t quite sure why. They took one final lap and said goodbye before turning the facility over to the bulldozers which were poised to transform the track into a shopping center and housing development.
Then suddenly, a financial hurdle slowed the efforts of the developer, giving SCCA drivers one last chance to enjoy the track in July of 1989. The weekend is remembered for being primitive. Utilities had been shut off in most areas of the facility and plumbing was not event worth recognizing. A generator had to be used to power timing and scoring and race control. A track that was already known for miserable weather had become even less hospitable.
Even the track itself left something to be desired. While the original pavement remained from turns nine to 7A, a stretch of new pavement had to be laid to connect the exit of 7A with the entrance of nine. The resulting 2.5 mile course played host to nearly 150 drivers who braved the heat and facilities to bid a final farewell.
No fanfare was reported. The drivers and workers had already paid their respects. But they were given the chance to dance once more with Riverside.