At the time of "Spirit of America"s construction the "Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile" (FIA) rules for a land speed record required four wheels. "Spirit"s record was thus not recognised by the FIA. The "Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme" (FIM) did recognise it, however, classing "Spirit" as a motorcycle. Although this controversy has been widely reported since as being due to the use of a jet engine, FIA rules describing a qualifying car as being "driven through its wheels", the only issue raised seriously at the time was over the number of wheels, hence the FIM acceptance.