Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme facts for kids
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| Sport | Motorcycle sport |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | International |
| Abbreviation | FIM |
| Founded | 1904 |
| Headquarters | Mies, Switzerland |
| President | Jorge Viegas |
| Official website | |
The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), also known as the International Motorcycling Federation, is the main organization that controls and sets the rules for motorcycle racing worldwide. It works with 119 national motorcycle groups, which are divided into six big groups across different continents.
The FIM is in charge of seven types of motorcycle racing. These include 82 world championships and hundreds of smaller races. Some of these types are enduro, trial, circuit racing, motocross, supermoto, cross-country, e-bike, and track racing. The FIM also does many things to help the sport grow, make it safer, and support good rules for everyone.
For example, in 1994, the FIM was the first international sports group to create an Environmental Code. This code helps protect nature during motorcycle events. In 2007, they started a special group called the Commission for Women in Motorcycling. Its goal is to encourage more women to ride motorcycles and join motorcycle sports.
Contents
How the FIM Started and Grew
The FIM began as the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM). This first group was created in Paris, France, on December 21, 1904. The British Auto-Cycle Union was one of the groups that helped start it.
In 1906, the FICM closed down for a short time. But it came back to life in 1912, with its main office now in England. The very next year, in 1913, the new group held its first big international event. It was called the Six Days Reliability Trial.
The name of the organization changed to the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM) in 1949. This was also the same year that the famous Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix races began. In 1959, the FIM's main office moved to Geneva, Switzerland.
In 1994, the headquarters moved again to Mies, Switzerland. For the first time, the FIM had its own building, which was shaped like a motorcycle wheel. The name changed one more time in 1998 to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. This happened at a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.
Also in 1998, the FIM was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a possible future Olympic sport. They became fully recognized in 2000 at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
In 2004, the FIM celebrated 100 years since it started. Special events were held at a meeting in Paris in October. Since 2018, Jorge Viegas from Portugal has been the President of the FIM.
In 2022, the FIM made a decision about events involving Russia and Belarus. They banned all motorcycle riders, teams, officials, and competitions from these countries.
Major FIM Motorcycle Races
The FIM organizes many exciting motorcycle races around the world. These races are split into different types, like racing on paved tracks or racing off-road.
Road Racing Events
Road racing happens on paved tracks, like those used for cars. These races are often very fast and exciting.
- FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship
- FIM Endurance World Championship
- FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- FIM JuniorGP World Championship
- FIM Sidecar World Championship
- FIM Superbike World Championship
- FIM Supersport 300 World Championship
- FIM Supersport World Championship
- Asia Road Racing Championship
- Asia Talent Cup
- British Talent Cup
- European Talent Cup
- FIM MiniGP
- Northern America Talent Cup
- Northern Talent Cup
- MotoE World Cup
Off-Road Racing Events
Off-road racing takes place on dirt tracks, rough terrain, or even ice and snow. These races test riders' skills in tough conditions.
- FIM Bajas World Cup
- FIM E-Xbike World Cup Race (Electric bicycle)
- FIM Freestyle Motocross World Championship
- FIM Hard Enduro World Championship
- FIM Ice Speedway of Nations
- FIM Individual Ice Speedway World Championship
- FIM Individual Speedway Long Track World Championship
- FIM Motocross World Championship
- FIM Oceania Speedway Sidecar Championship
- FIM Sidecarcross World Championship
- FIM Snowcross World Championship
- FIM Speedway Under-21 World Championship
- FIM Speedway Sidecar World Cup
- FIM Speedway World Championship
- FIM Speedway World Cup
- FIM Supercross World Championship
- FIM SuperEnduro World Championship
- FIM Supermoto World Championship
- FIM Team Long Track World Championship
- FIM Team Speedway Under-21 World Championship
- FIM Trial World Championship
- FIM World Enduro Championship
- FIM Women's Motocross World Championship
- FIM World Rally-Raid Championship
- International Six Days Enduro
- Motocross des Nations
- Supermoto of Nations
- Trial des Nations
Who Leads the FIM?
The FIM has had many presidents over the years. Here is a list of the people who have led the organization:
| Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term | President | Nationality |
| 1904–1905 | A. de Lahausse |  France |
| 1905–1906 | Marquis de Mouzilly Saint-Mars | France |
| 1912–1924 | Arthur Stanley |  United Kingdom |
| 1924–1946 | Alberto Bonacossa |  Italy |
| 1946–1947 | Augustin Pérouse | France |
| 1947–1949 | Marcel Haecker |  Switzerland |
| Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) | ||
| Term | President | Nationality |
| 1949–1951 | Marcel Haecker | Switzerland |
| 1951–1959 | Augustin Pérouse | France |
| 1959–1965 | Pieter Nortier |  Netherlands |
| 1965–1983 | Nicolás Rodil del Valle |  Spain |
| 1983–1989 | Nicolas Schmit |  Luxembourg |
| 1989–1995 | Jos Vaessen | Netherlands |
| 1995–2006 | Francesco Zerbi | Italy |
| 2006–2018 | Vito Ippolito |  Venezuela |
| 2018–present | Jorge Viegas |  Portugal |
Making Sure Helmets are Safe
Since 2019, the FIM has its own special way of testing motorcycle helmets. Helmet makers must send their helmets to the FIM. The FIM then tests them in a lab to make sure they are strong enough to protect racers. This helps keep riders safe during races.
Member Countries
See also
In Spanish: Federación Internacional de Motociclismo para niños
- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) - This is a similar organization, but for car racing.
- Outline of motorcycles and motorcycling - A guide to everything about motorcycles.
- SHARP (helmet ratings) - Another system that rates how safe helmets are.
