The FIA will elect its new president on Friday, with either Jean Todt or Ari Vatanen poised to take over as Max Mosley's successor.
Mosley bows out after 16 years at the head of world motorsport's governing body in typically controversial fashion, having been forced to defend himself following threats of legal action from Vatanen over his favouritism towards Todt.
The former World Rally Champion voiced concerns over apparent lobbying taking place withing the FIA on behalf of the former Ferrari team principal; however, Vatanen has now withdrawn the court application.
Campaigning has been overshadowed by such controversies, with Mosley and Formula One commercial rights controller Bernie Ecclestone both publicly backing Todt as their preferred successor.
Vatanen, meanwhile, has presented himself as an agent of change amid concerns surrounding governance and transparency at the governing body.
"We want to make the way the FIA works more efficient and more transparent," remarked Vatanen in his manifesto to the electorate.
"Now is the time to bring about much-needed change and for that I need help from all member clubs. I am confident that together we can achieve this.
"The election is not ultimately about who becomes president of the FIA, but about ensuring this great federation is the winner and takes the correct path for its future.
"The FIA is at a crossroads and you have the power to take it on the right road."
Either candidate requires a simple majority of the 221 votes to be cast, spread across motoring clubs in the 132 countries represented by the FIA.
There have recently been suggestions the election will be a close-run affair but Todt's camp are said to be "quietly confident", according to one source.
Todt has criticised Vatanen - who once drove for him when the Frenchman ran Peugeot's rally team - for "a negative tone" to his campaign.
"We would appeal to all FIA member clubs to concentrate on the real issues, and we hope that the personal attacks and false allegations will stop," urged Todt in a recent address to the member clubs.
"We will stick to our constructive and positive stance as we place the interest of the FIA at the core of everything we do.
"We are confident a majority of FIA clubs will recognise that our management skills and great professionalism provide the best option to meet the difficult challenges mobility and motor sport face in the future."
However, Friday is as much about the departure of Mosley himself as the election.
Although highly successful in improving safety within motor sport, notably in Formula One, Mosley has proved a highly divisive figure.
The son of former Fascist leader Sir Oswald Mosley also hit the headlines last year over his involvement in a sado-masochistic sex session with five prostitutes.
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