Committee for Automobile Racing Standards

The Committee for Automobile Racing Standards (CARS) is the pre-eminent sanctioning body for automobile circuit racing. Founded in 1904 by William Kissam Vanderbilt II to promote his Vanderbilt Cup race. When the AAA wanted to retrospectively crown the 1904 Vanderbilt Cup winner as their National Champion, they applied to CARS for approval (which was granted). This cemented CARS' standing as a sanctioning body that superseded that of a national motorsport club.