LEM Grand prix continental 5000 Championship Riverside 1971

This striking 1971 poster announces the LEM Grand Prix, a round of the Formula 5000 championship held at Riverside International Raceway. Scheduled for April 25, the event formed part of the competitive Continental 5000 series, which became one of the most exciting open-wheel racing championships of the early 1970s.

The poster’s design captures the intensity of Formula racing with a vivid depiction of a red single-seater accelerating through a corner. The powerful stance of the car, with its wide tires and exposed suspension, reflects the engineering style of Formula 5000 machines—large, high-powered cars built around lightweight chassis and roaring V8 engines. The dramatic perspective places the viewer close to the racing line, emphasizing both speed and mechanical force.

Above the track scene, the graphic composition shifts to a painterly abstraction of a city skyline rendered in warm tones. This atmospheric backdrop contrasts with the precision of the racing car below, a visual technique often used in motorsport posters of the era to evoke both glamour and spectacle.

During the early 1970s, Riverside International Raceway was one of the most important circuits in North America. Located in Southern California, the track hosted a wide variety of major competitions, including sports car races, stock car events, and open-wheel championships. Its sweeping corners and desert surroundings made it both challenging for drivers and visually iconic.

The poster also reflects the bold graphic identity of early 1970s racing promotion. Large typography, strong color contrasts, and dynamic illustration combine to create an image that communicates speed, excitement, and the growing popularity of professional motorsport in the United States.

Today, posters like this one are valued not only for their graphic style but also for their connection to a golden era of open-wheel racing, when Formula 5000 cars delivered spectacular performance and circuits like Riverside drew passionate crowds eager to witness high-speed competition.

Original Poster

Sport - Automobile - United States

Good condition