The 200 Mile United States Grand Prix for Sports Cars was a significant American sports car race held at Riverside International Raceway (California) during the late 1950s and early 1960s. It was part of a growing effort to bring international-style endurance racing to the United States, attracting top American and foreign drivers, factory-supported entries, and competitive European marques. The race typically featured high-performance machinery from Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, Porsche, and Corvette, and was contested over a 200-mile distance, making it a demanding test of both speed and reliability. Riverside’s challenging layout—with long straights, elevation changes, and technical corners—suited European sports cars well and highlighted driver skill. Among the notable participants were Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, Ken Miles, and Carroll Shelby, and Ferrari prototypes and customer cars were frequently seen battling for overall victories or class honors. The event formed part of the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) and, in some years, was linked in timing or title to the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix, though it remained a separate competition focused on sports cars. This race helped establish Riverside International Raceway as a premier motorsport venue in North America and contributed to the growing prestige of endurance racing in the U.S.

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