The FIVA Events Commission
What is the Events Commission and what does it do? That is a very good and often asked question. Well, it hardly comes as a surprise, that Events are one of FIVA’s major focus points as we promote and encourage the active use of our historic vehicles. The spirit of yesterday’s vehicles on tomorrow’s roads lives on within the Events Commission’s work to help to address FIVA’s broader mission of the protection, preservation, and promotion of historic vehicles.
It is not just a question of placing events on the FIVA Events Calendar, appointing FIVA Stewards to World and International category events or even attending regular Events Commission meetings.
For 2023 we held four FIVA World Rally Events, 2 for for Cars (held in Mexico and Portugal),1 for Motorcycles (held in Austria) and 1 for Utilitarian vehicles (held in the Netherlands).
We have already confirmed 3 FIVA World Rallies for 2024 and are working with the organiser on a fourth application. These events have become so popular that we already have applications for FIVA World Events as far ahead as 2026.
For the more usual events, both National and International categories, the calendar applications for the following year usually start to come in about 6 months before the New Year. And in a ‘normal year’ we expect to have about 25 International and 80 National events worldwide on the Events Calendar each year.
For an International Category event, the Events Commission needs to be satisfied that the organiser is capable of organising and running such an event according to the FIVA Events Code and the rules and regulations pertaining to motoring events of countries in which the event will take place. The evaluation usually entails visiting, or getting an assessment of, the organiser’s National category event a year before it becomes an International event.
No event organiser is just going to approach FIVA without some promotional work by us to make the organisers aware of the benefits to them, and indeed our FIVA members, of putting their events onto the FIVA Calendar. This promotion work is usually done through dialogue with event organisers at exhibitions, events, at organisers’ offices or by Video Conference as required. Once FIVA’s work to ensure the rights of historic vehicle owners to continue to use their vehicles on public roads is explained, by far the greater majority of event organisers understand the need, and are only too willing, to support FIVA’s work.
Some organisers may not be aware of what FIVA is and what its mission is; this also needs to be explained. Indeed the FIVA ID Card system also needs to be explained to them to help organisers to select appropriate vehicles by not only looking at the participant’s event entry form but also to study vehicles’ FIVA ID cards during the process. We are also supporting the FIVA Youngtimers ID Card to enable younger cars to be included in applicable events so as to encourage their preservation and use by their owners.
For World and International category events the event will have a FIVA licenced Steward appointed who can help and guide the organisers and, if any disputes arise, help with making any judicial decisions as required. After such events, the Steward submits a written report to the Events Commission and the event organiser, where any issues arising can be raised and dealt with as required.
From an International pool of circa 35 trained and experienced FIVA Stewards the Events Commission appoints a FIVA Steward for all International category events. And our Stewards must attend a FIVA Stewards’ Seminar, at their own expense, once every two years to maintain their knowledge of event rules and regulations. The FIVA Steward is thereafter given a new license which remains valid for 2 years.
The Events Commission has published a FIVA Events Code with relevant Annexes to help to guide event organisers. A Stewards’ Handbook is also published to help our Stewards carry out their duties on events.
The Events Commission also annually decides on a list of four Premier events ( normally 1 per Continent ) from within the annual FIVA Events Calendar at which a “FIVA Best Preserved Vehicle” award will be presented to the most deserving entrants. We also compile a list of ten events worldwide where “Spirit of FIVA” awards will be presented to deserving participants. “FIVA World Events” receive their own unique awards, and to recognise the organisers of International Category events each organiser is presented with a “FIVA International Event” award. All event organisers also receive an Organisers Certificate confirming their event registration and this can be incorporated within their event documentation. All of these awards are highly treasured by the recipients!
The FIVA Events Commission is also one of the key FIVA links with the world motorsports governing body – the FIA, and for Motorcycles – the FIM.
Internally the Events Commission has ongoing cooperation with all the other FIVA Commissions to ensure FIVA’s mission is fully addressed.
Hopefully, this short insight into the work of the FIVA Events Commission has been of interest and whetted your appetite to maybe come and join us in our work to protect, preserve and promote historic vehicles.
Malcolm Grubb – VP Events November 2023
Members of the FIVA Events Commission
Chairman:
Malcolm J. Grubb (FBHVC) – UK
E-mail: here
- Kamen Mikhailov (BACR-BG) Vice Chairman
- Carl-Michael Emer (ASC-DE) Secretary
- Janko Uratnik (SVS-SLO) Finance & Stewards’ Coordinator
- Ruedi Mueller (SHVF-CH) Communications
- Stan Minarik (ACCR-CZ) FIA CHI liaison
- Emmanuel Bacquet (BACR-BG) Concours Liaison
- Laszlo Tomscanyi (MAVAMSZ-HU) Motorcycle liaison
Associate Members
- Ramin Salehkhou (HVAI-IR) Associate member
- Antonio D’urso (ASI-IT) Associate member
Members’ Roles within the FIVA Events Commission
The goals of the FIVA Events Commission Aims and tasks
The Events Commission will meet at least twice a year to progress its programme of work, exchange information and to investigate further opportunities to launch better services to FIVA members and Event organisers. In the meantime the Events Commission Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer will undertake the day-to-day tasks of the Commission. Liaison with other FIVA Commissions and external authorities will take place to ensure a cohesive approach to motoring events within FIVA.
Structure and Procedures
Chairman
- Liaison with the FIVA General Committee
- Liaison with other International Federations and Organisers of events
- Liaison with other FIVA Commissions, Strategic planning and review of EC programmes
- Management, planning and overseeing the operation of, and division of effort for, the Events Commission programme of work
- Planning for and preparation of the Events Commission’s annual Work Programme and budget
- Liaison with FIVA Ambassadors
- Liaison with FIVA Stewards regarding their availability, event appointments and timely completion of their Event reports
- Coordination of projects for members of the Events Commission
- Potentials for Sponsorship
Vice Chairman
- Liaison with Event Organisers directly and at exhibitions e.g. Race Retro, Essen
- Organisation and management of the FIVA International and National Events Calendar
- Checking the Regulations of events regarding their conformity with the FIVA Events Code and Annexes
- Management of the Events Commission’s website content
- Liaison with the FIVA Web-master and FIVA General Secretary to ensure the presence of up-to-date EC information and its activities
- Contact with ANFs and member Clubs regarding their events
- Liaison with Commercial entities that may be of assistance to FIVA Event Organisers
Secretary
- Administration of the Events Commission’s activities
- Organisation of meetings and support for training seminars etc.
Malcolm Grubb – VP Events November 2023
Event Definitions
World Events
For many years FIVA has encouraged our Members and other historic vehicle owners to participate in what are called FIVA World Events. These events are held annually, for cars, for motorcycles and for utilitarian vehicles and are usually organised by an ANF or a prominent Club member within a national ANF. FIVA “World Events” for cars and motorcycles are generally 4-7 day non-competitive tours of countries visiting interesting and scenic locations during the days’ motoring. Overnight Hotels and daily meals are organised for you as part of the package and various attractions and entertainment are included where available and appropriate. For 2024 we are hoping to run our second FIVA World Event for Utilitarian vehicles along with a Motorcycle World Event and two Car World Events – so please keep an eye on the Events calendar as more detailed information will be available. To assist organisers when planning and running these events the Events Commission has provided a special guide to help them along the way. Please refer to the FIVA Events Code for more information.
International Events
An event run according to the FIVA Events Code, registered by FIVA through their Events Commission and for which FIVA will appoint a Steward.
National Events
An event overseen by the National Authority (ANF) of FIVA as defined in Art.4 of the FIVA Statutes and Para.1 of the FIVA Internal Rules. Such events are run generally in their own country according to the FIVA Events Code and for which the ANF, or event organiser, will appoint a National observer.
Regularity Events
An event of a touring but competitive nature in which the greatest speed is not a deciding factor, but in which average speeds (50km/h or less on public roads) must be imposed. The organising club must be a member of, or affiliated to, FIVA as defined in Art. 4. of the FIVA Statutes.
Touring Assembly
An event of a touring nature that is generally non-competitive with or without classification. Any classification should not be decided by speed or timing elements. The organising club must be a member of, or affiliated to, FIVA as defined in Art. 4. of the FIVA Statutes.
Concours Events
An event that provides historic vehicle owners with an opportunity to display their vehicles and for them to be judged on their appearance. The organising club must be a member of or affiliated to, FIVA as defined in Art. 4. of the FIVA Statutes.
Exhibition Event
An event that provides historic vehicle owners with an opportunity to display them to the public. The organising club must be a member of, or affiliated to, FIVA as defined in Art. 4. of the FIVA Statutes.
Vehicle Categories
It is up to the Event Organisers to define the age ranges of accepted vehicles appropriate for each of their events. This will typically be in the form of e.g. 1930-1960, where 1930 is the lower age limit and 1960 is the upper age limit. Therefore any vehicle outside this date range cannot enter. Within these date ranges Organisers can define classes and categories as they wish.
As a guideline FIVA has defined these following classes – they are completely optional but may be used by organisers if they wish.
All FIVA registered events may use these classes; sub-divisions are allowed
- Class A: (Ancestor) Vehicles built up to 31st December 1904
- Class B: (Veteran) Vehicles built between 1st January 1905 and 31st December 1918
- Class C: (Vintage) Vehicles built between 1st January 1919 and 31st December 1930
- Class D: (Post Vintage) Vehicles built between 1st January 1931 and 31st December 1945
- Class E: (Post War) Vehicles built between 1st January 1946 and 31st December 1960
- Class F: Vehicles built between 1st January 1961 and 31st December 1970
- Class G: Vehicles built between 1st January 1971 and 31st December 1980
- Class H: Vehicles built between 1st January 1981 and 31st December 1990
- Class I: Vehicles built between 1st January 1991 and the FIVA age limit as defined by the HISTORIC VEHICLE DEFINITION
- Class Y: Youngtimer: Vehicles between 20 and 29 years old.
Malcolm Grubb – VP Events November 2023
Important information for organising a FIVA event
Dear organiser,
FIVA is an international federation and the FIVA Events Commission helps its event organisers and provides them with the correct information about organising events in foreign countries. Of course, you can always contact the ANF of each country but within the EC Documents menu above, you will find some basic principles about organising events in your own or a foreign country.
You will discover that in the process of organising multinational events we are still some way from having unified regulations.
The Events commission can provide help or advice to organisers so please feel free to contact us by email at events@fiva.org
We will update this information on a regular basis. Meanwhile, if you have any suggestions or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by E-mail: here
Malcolm Grubb – VP Events November 2023
FIVA Stewards by Country
Stewards for International FIVA events – 2024 listing
- Argentina: Alec Daly, Daniel Claramunt, Ricardo Battisti
- Bulgaria: Kamen Mikhailov
- Canada: Nigel Matthews
- Colombia: Ricardo Morales Rubio
- Cyprus: George Ioannides
- Czech Republic: Stan Minarik
- Denmark: Henning Thomsen, Niels Jonassen
- France: Emmanuel Bacquet
- Germany: Carl-Michael Emer, Carsten Krukenkamp, Detlef Krukenkamp, Johann Koenig, Jürgen Ockens, Ralf Stamm, Jochen Kleine
- Hungary: Laszlo Tomcsanyi
- Italy: Francesco Maselli
- Japan: Seiichi Saito
- Liechtenstein: Kurt Staud
- Luxemburg: Sandra Heinisch
- Norway: Bjorn Hvaleby
- Netherlands: J.J. Dólleman, Jos Jurriëns
- Poland: Bartosz Balicki, Marek Gacek
- Slovak Republic: Valentin Zbynovsky
- Slovenia: Janko Uratnik
- Spain: Antonio Arderiu Freixa, Joan Espelt, Raul Aranda
- Switzerland: Frank Aeschlimann, Lukas Oberholzer, Mark Rufer, Ruedi Muller
- United Kingdom: Malcolm Grubb
- Uruguay: Carlos Scoseria
- U.S.A.: Malcolm Welford
Malcolm Grubb – VP Events November 2023
Stewards’ Information System
Stewards’ Licence Renewal Form 2023
Stewards Event Report submission
Event Report Archive – Not currently available
Documentation and user guides – Not currently available
Stewards’ Seminar 2024 – video highlight
The spirit of FIVA award
In 2016, the 50th Anniversary of FIVA, the Events Commission (EC) introduced the “Best Preserved Vehicle” awards that have been presented at some high profile Concours d’Elegance Events every year since. These awards continue to be awarded annually.
However in 2018, to encourage more historic vehicle enthusiasts, a “Spirit of FIVA” award was created to enable FIVA to support more enthusiasts and events around the world. These “Spirit of FIVA” awards are now presented annually at 10 events worldwide, one at each event, to those participants, organisers, officials, etc. who exhibit enjoyment, camaraderie, friendship, inclusivity, and general bonhomie and hence are deemed to be deserving of such an award.
