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 International Motorcycling Federation (also known as FIM) is the main group that organizes and controls motorcycle racing around the world. It works with 123 national motorcycle groups, which are spread across six different parts of the world.
FIM manages seven exciting types of motorcycle racing. These include 82 world championships and many other smaller races. Some of these types are enduro (long-distance off-road races), trial (skill-based obstacle courses), circuit racing (on tracks), motocross (off-road jumps and turns), and supermoto (a mix of road and dirt racing). They also cover cross-country rallies, e-bike races, and track racing (on oval tracks).
Besides racing, FIM also helps promote motorcycle sports and safety. They work to make sure rules are fair and that riders are safe. In 1994, FIM was the first international sports group to create an Environmental Code. This code helps protect the planet during motorcycle events. In 2007, FIM started a special group to encourage more women to ride motorcycles and join in the sport.
Contents
History of FIM: How It Started
Early Days: From FICM to FIM
The FIM began as the Fédération Internationale des Clubs Motocyclistes (FICM). This group was first formed in Paris, France, on December 21, 1904. The British Auto-Cycle Union was one of the first groups to join.
In 1906, the FICM stopped for a short time. But it started up again 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.
New Name and Big Races
The group changed its name to the Fédération Internationale Motocycliste (FIM) in 1949. This was a big year because it also saw the first race of the famous Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix. This championship is still very popular today.
In 1959, the FIM's main office moved to Geneva, Switzerland. Then, in 1994, it moved again to Mies, Switzerland. For the first time, FIM had its own building, which was shaped like a motorcycle wheel!
Olympic Recognition and Modern Times
In 1998, the name changed one more time to the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. This happened at a meeting in Cape Town, South Africa. That same year, the International Olympic Committee started to recognize FIM. By 2000, FIM was fully recognized at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
In 2004, FIM celebrated its 100th birthday! There were big parties at a meeting in Paris in October. Since 2018, Jorge Viegas from Portugal has been the President of FIM.
In March 2022, FIM made a decision because of the conflict in Ukraine. They banned all Russian and Belarusian motorcycle riders, teams, and officials from their competitions.
FIM Motorcycle Competitions
FIM organizes many different types of motorcycle races around the world. Here are some of the main ones:
Circuit Racing: Speed on Tracks
Circuit racing involves motorcycles speeding around special tracks.
- FIM MotoGP World Championship: This is one of the most famous motorcycle racing series.
- FIM Superbike World Championship: Another top series for modified production motorcycles.
- FIM Women's Circuit Racing World Championship: A championship specifically for female riders.
- FIM MotoE World Championship: Races for electric motorcycles.
Endurance Racing: Long and Tough Races
Endurance races test how long riders and their bikes can last.
- International Six Days Enduro: A very long off-road race that lasts for six days.
- FIM Endurance World Championship: Teams race for many hours, sometimes even overnight.
- FIM Hard Enduro World Championship: Extremely challenging off-road races over difficult terrain.
Speedway Grand Prix: Oval Track Action
Speedway races happen on oval dirt tracks, often with no brakes!
- FIM Speedway Grand Prix: The top competition for individual speedway riders.
- FIM Speedway World Cup: A team competition for different countries.
- FIM Speedway of Nations: Another exciting team event.
Moto Trials: Skill and Balance
Trial competitions are all about skill, balance, and control, not speed. Riders navigate tricky obstacles without putting their feet down.
- FIM Trial World Championship: The main championship for trial riders.
- FIM Trial des Nations: A team competition where countries compete.
Off-Roading: Dirt, Jumps, and Rallies
Off-roading includes races on dirt tracks, through deserts, and up hills.
- FIM World Rally-Raid Championship: Long-distance races across varied landscapes.
- FIM Motocross World Championship: Riders race on bumpy, jump-filled dirt tracks.
- FIM Women's Motocross World Championship: A motocross championship for women.
- FIM Supercross World Championship: Motocross races held in stadiums with big jumps.
- FIM Snowcross World Championship: Races on snow and ice.
Sidecars and ATVs: Unique Racing Styles
These categories feature special types of vehicles.
- FIM Sidecar World Championship: Races where a rider and a passenger work together on a three-wheeled sidecar motorcycle.
- FIM Sidecarcross World Championship: Off-road racing with sidecars.
- FIM Quadcross of Nations: A team competition for ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) riders.
FIM Helmet Testing: Keeping Riders Safe
In 2019, FIM started its own special way of testing helmets. Helmet makers must send their helmets to FIM. Then, FIM tests them in a lab to make sure they are strong enough to protect racers. This helps keep riders as safe as possible during races.
Members
See also
In Spanish: Federación Internacional de Motociclismo para niños
- Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile
- Outline of motorcycles and motorcycling
- SHARP (helmet ratings)
