On 20th June 1904, the original members of the “Association Internationale des Automobile Clubs Reconnus” (AIACR) met in Paris, and the foundations of the FIA were born.
On the same day that the original delegates met 120 years ago, the Founding Members gathered in Germany to celebrate the FIA’s anniversary. Delegates attending the Anniversary event launched a new prize, the Founding Members’ Heritage Promotion Cup, and visited the Central Garage Museum’s newly opened ‘Gordon Bennet Race 1904’ exhibition.
The Founding Members’ Heritage Promotion Cup will reward efforts to boost knowledge and awareness of motoring heritage in society, outside of the Founding Members group.
Both the Founding Members’ Heritage Cup (a historic award given to Founding Members) and the Founding Members’ Heritage Promotion Cup will be awarded during the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda in December 2024.
The FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “As Founding Members, you work to preserve the legacy of our Federation and draw upon the wisdom of the past.
Yet, whilst we celebrate the FIA’s 120th anniversary together, we also look towards the future. We’ll continue to adapt and push the boundaries of innovation, paving the way for a sustainable and successful road ahead.”
Over a century ago, the Founding Members – from Germany, Austria, the United States, France, Great Britain, Holland and Italy – convened for the first time to create an association which would coordinate their activities. All were present due to the Gordon Bennett Cup, which was being held that year in Germany – a competition which many consider to be the first truly international motor sport event. Their discussions led to the creation of the AIACR, which in 1946 would become the FIA.
Source : Fia
