The Forgotten Races: A Brief History of Non-Championship Formula 1 Events

The first non-championship Formula 1 race was held in 1948 at the Silverstone circuit in England. The race was known as the "Silverstone International Trophy ." The last non-championship Formula 1 race was held in 1983, after which the FIA focused solely on the championship races. While they did not count towards Worlds Drivers Championship points, Non-championship races were important for teams and drivers to gain experience and test their cars before competing in the championship. Perhaps one of the most impactful things it did was to generate interest and publicity for the sport.

During this period, various non-championship races were held in different countries worldwide, ranging from single races to the entire series. Some of the most well-known non-championship races included the Race of Champions, the International Trophy, and the Daily Express International Trophy.

The Race of Champions was a non-championship event held at Brands Hatch in England from 1965 to 1979. It featured some of the biggest names in Formula 1, including Jackie Stewart, Jim Clark, Dan Gurney, and Jochen Rindt. The International Trophy, held at Silverstone in England, was another prestigious non-championship race that attracted top drivers worldwide. It ran from 1949 to 1978.

The Daily Express International Trophy was held at Silverstone from 1978 to 1983 and was the last major non-championship event in Formula 1. Notably, it was the first race to use the new turbocharged engines that would eventually dominate the sport. The most significant races in the US were held at Riverside and Ontario Motor Speedway; Glover Trophy, LA Times GP, and Questor GP were huge events that attracted large crowds, celebrities, and big purses for the winners.

Other non-championship races, including Europe, South America, and Africa, were held worldwide. Many of these events were organized by private individuals or clubs rather than by the Formula 1 governing body. While these races did not count towards the World Championship, they were still highly competitive and attracted many of the top teams and drivers in the sport. Overall, non-championship races played a vital role in developing Formula 1 and helped shape the sport into today's global phenomenon.