The FIVA Events Commission
What is the Events Commission and what does it do?
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 FIVA World and FIVA Premier events or even attending regular Events Commission meetings. Our primary activities are set out below.
FIVA World Events
We have already confirmed 2 FIVA World Events for 2026, and are already working with organisers for their World events in 2026 and 2027. These events have become so popular that we already have applications for FIVA World Events as far ahead as 2028.
FIVA Premier Events and FIVA Events
For the more usual events, both FIVA Events and FIVA Premier Events, the event applications for the following year usually start to come in about 6 months before the New Year. And in a ‘normal year’ we would expect to have around 25 FIVA Premier Events and 90 FIVA Events, worldwide on the Events Calendar each year.
For all applications 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 EC will apply a due diligence approach to each event application, which may entail visiting, or getting an assessment of, the organiser’s competence before it will be accepted and registered on the FIVA Calendar. The respective ANF is also involved in the due diligence process.
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 their members, of registering their event(s) 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, the great 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.
FIVA Stewards
The Events Commission also recruits and manages an International team of 45 trained and experienced FIVA Stewards. The Events Commission appoints a FIVA Steward for all FIVA World and FIVA Premier Events. All 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 appointed Steward can help and guide the organisers and, if any disputes arise, assist with making any judicial decisions as required.
Following an event, 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. The organiser is also offered the chance to report back to the EC regarding the Steward and thus help us maintain the highest possible standards.
FIVA Events Code
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.
Event Awards
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 FIVA Premier Events each organiser is presented with a “FIVA Premier 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!
External collaboration - FIA and FIM
The Events Commission has a key relationship with both of the world governing bodies – the FIA for Motorsports, and the FIM for Motorcycle – the FIM. All three parties are working together on a joint Sustainability strategy and it's implementation globally.
Internal collaboration with other Commissions
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. If you have any questions then please email us on [email protected]
Malcolm Grubb – VP Events May 2025