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Wierd, but true #4
In 1981 there was the distinct possibility that there would be two different Formula 1 championships. The Formula One Constructors Association (FOCA) was unhappy with FISA's (FIA's predecessor) operating methods. FOCA's Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley created the World Federation of Motor Sport. In November of 1980 WFMS announced that it was the only official sanctioning body for F-1 and all the British teams concurred. The continental manufacturers (Renault, Ferrari and ALFA-Romeo) supported FISA. FOCA had a race in South Africa and after four months the "Concorde Agreement" was signed. It recognized the FISA/FIA as the owner of the F-1 World Championship and FOCA as the owner of the TV rights. The rest as they say, is history. During that same period a similar disagreement was brewing between FISA/FIA and the Automobile Club d' Ouest (ACO), the organizers of the 24hrs of LeMans.
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This one is so layered with myth and misinformation among truth and facts that it is little wonder folks steer clear of it like the plague. The problems began long before Mr. Ecclestone and Mr. Mosley entered from stage right and then M. Baltestre from stage left. Although the usual emphasis is on just the money, the real focus was actually on the control of the money rather than the money itself. True, a very subtle thing, but when viewed in this way the "Ahah!Light" usually begins to power up.