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Portland International Raceway

Not to be confused with Portland Speedway.

Portland International Raceway (PIR) is a motorsport facility in Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is part of the Delta Park complex on the former site of Vanport, just south of the Columbia River. It lies west of the Delta Park/Vanport light rail station and less than a mile west of Interstate 5.

Portland International Raceway

Portland International Raceway via the USGS satellite imagery
LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Time zoneGMT−8
Coordinates45°35′49″N 122°41′45″W / 45.59694°N 122.69583°W / 45.59694; -122.69583
Capacity30,000
FIA Grade2
OwnerCity of Portland
OperatorE. C. Mueller[1]
Broke ground1960
OpenedJune 1961; 63 years ago (1961-06)
Major eventsCurrent:
Formula E
Portland ePrix (2023–2024)
IndyCar Series
Grand Prix of Portland
(1984–2007, 2018–2019, 2021–present)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Pacific Office Automation 147 (2022–present)
ARCA Menards Series West
Portland 112
(1986, 2009–2012, 2021–present)
Trans-Am West Coast Championship (2017–2019, 2021–present)
Former:
IMSA Portland Grand Prix
(1978–1994, 1999–2001, 2004–2006)
Pirelli World Challenge
Rose Cup Races
(2001, 2004–2005, 2018–2019)
Trans-Am Series (1972, 1975–1987, 1990–1995, 2001, 2004–2005, 2009)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Grainger Industrial Supply 225K
(1999–2000)
AMA Superbike Championship (1983–1984)
Websitehttp://www.portlandraceway.com/
Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.967[2] miles (3.166 km)
Turns12
Race lap record0:58.7403 (Colombia Carlos Muñoz, Dallara DW12, 2018, IndyCar)
Formula E Circuit (2023–2024)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length2.001 miles (3.221 km)
Turns12
Race lap record1:10.650 (Netherlands Robin Frijns, Jaguar I-Type 6, 2024, F-E)
Grand Prix Circuit (1992–2007)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.944 miles (3.129 km)
Turns12
Race lap record0.59.259 (Australia Will Power, Lola B02/00, 2006, Champ Car)
Grand Prix Circuit (1984–1991)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.922 miles (3.093 km)
Turns12
Race lap record0:57.626 (South Africa Wayne Taylor, Intrepid RM-1, 1991, IMSA GTP)
Grand Prix Circuit (1971–1983)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.915 miles (3.082 km)
Turns9
Race lap record1:04.860 (United Kingdom John Fitzpatrick, Porsche 935 K4, 1982, IMSA GTP)
Full Circuit (1969–1970)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.800 miles (2.896 km)
Turns9
West Delta Park Circuit (1966–1968)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.964 miles (3.160 km)
Turns11
West Delta Park Circuit (1961–1965)
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length2.000 miles (3.217 km)
Turns11

The track hosts the IndyCar Series, Formula E, ICSCC and SCCA and OMRRA road racing, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series West, and SCCA autocross events. Additionally, the PIR grounds are host to OBRA (Oregon Bicycle Racing Association) bicycling races on the track and the surrounding grounds. The facility includes a dragstrip and a motocross track.

Entrance to Portland International Raceway

The road course is almost perfectly flat and runs clockwise. Two track configurations are possible. The modern Grand Prix circuit includes a hard chicane at the end of the front straight, referred to as the "Shelton Chicane" in honor of Vanport racing legend Monte Shelton, and involves 12 turns at a length of 1.967 mi (3.166 km). Without the chicane, the track has nine turns and a lap length of 1.915 mi (3.082 km). Portland is classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit.[3]

PIR boasts a Winners' List starring some of the most accomplished open-wheel drivers of all time including Mario Andretti (1985–1986), Emerson Fittipaldi (1989), Michael Andretti (1990–1992), Bobby Rahal (1987), Sébastien Bourdais (2004, 2007), Will Power (2019, 2024), and Álex Palou (2021, 2023).

The City of Portland is working to establish the track as carbon neutral.[4] In 2023, an investigation revealed the use of leaded gasoline at the track, which poses significant health risks for spectators and residents near the track.[5] This occurs primarily during drag races, as unleaded fuel (often alcohol based) is used in major weekends.

History

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PIR is built on the former location of Vanport, Oregon, which was destroyed on Memorial Day, May 30, 1948, when a railroad berm broke and water from the Columbia River flooded the city. After the flood, all that remained were the paved streets and concrete foundations of destroyed buildings.

The first races took place on these old city streets in 1961 during the Portland Rose Festival. Since then, the Rose Cup has become an annual event. Racing at "West Delta Park",[6] as PIR was known back then, was quite dangerous. Racers leaving the track unexpectedly could collide with leftover concrete foundations or fall into ponds.

Under the threat of losing the Rose Cup races, since many of the sanctioning racing bodies would no longer sanction races due to the deteriorating roads and dangerous obstacles, the track was finally paved in the 1970s.[6]

In 1975, Portland International hosted the Trans-Am Series, the premier series of the Sports Car Club of America, which was won by John Greenwood, driving a Chevrolet Corvette. Greenwood would go on to win the 1975 Trans-Am Series Championship.

Beginning in 1984, Portland International began hosting the cars and stars of the PPG Indycar World Series, with Al Unser Jr. taking his first win, driving a Cosworth powered March.

Portland is best-remembered as being the site of two of the closest finishes on a road course in Indy car racing history. In 1986, Michael Andretti lost fuel pressure on the final turn of the final lap, which allowed his father Mario to catch up and beat him to the finish line by 0.070 seconds. At the time, it was the closest finish of any race in Indy car history. In 1997, in a three-wide finish, Mark Blundell beat second place Gil de Ferran by 0.027 seconds, and beat third place Raul Boesel by 0.055 seconds. For a road course race, it was the all-time closest finish in CART series history, as well as the closest three-car finish in series history.

In 1999 and 2000, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series ran a race at Portland International Raceway. The race was added after the demise of the ½-mile Portland Speedway that hosted races early in the series. The 1999 running saw the first (and as of 2021, the only) time there were more than one African-Americans competing in the same NASCAR top-three division race, with Bill Lester and Bobby Norfleet on the grid.

At the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008, PIR went through a track renovation. The track was repaved with new asphalt and some minor changes were made to the track layout. Turns 4-7 were widened. The fence on the inside of turn 6 was moved to provide a better sightline through the corner. Turn 7 was sharpened to slow down racers prior to entering the back straight. Formula One-style curbs were also installed on the track.[7] The track reopened on February 23, 2008, with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

In September 2018, the Grand Prix of Portland returned after an 11-year hiatus, now an IndyCar Series race. The qualifying record is 0:57.3467, set by Will Power during the 2018 Grand Prix of Portland. Will Power (2019, 2024) and Álex Palou (2021, 2023) have each won twice since the race returned to the calendar.

On September 29, 2021, it was announced that the NASCAR Xfinity Series would race there in the regular season.

On December 8, 2022, it was announced that Formula E would race in there with a modified layout in the 2022–23 season instead of Brooklyn Street Circuit.[8] Nick Cassidy won the inaugural Portland ePrix in June 2023.

Events

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Current
Former

Lap records

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The unofficial outright all-time lap record set during a race weekend is 0:55.760 seconds, set by Wayne Taylor on the old circuit layout, in an Intrepid RM-1-Chevrolet, during qualifying for the 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan. As of August 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Portland International Raceway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.166 km (2008–present)[9][10]
IndyCar 0:58.7403 Carlos Muñoz Dallara DW12 2018 Grand Prix of Portland
Indy NXT 1:02.8861[11] Nolan Siegel Dallara IL-15 2023 Portland Indy NXT round
Indy Pro 2000 1:07.1597[12] Rinus VeeKay Tatuus PM-18 2018 Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Portland
GT3 1:10.791[13][14] Miguel Molina Ferrari 488 GT3 2018 Portland SprintX GT Championship round
US F2000 1:11.2101[15] Kyle Kirkwood Tatuus USF-17 2018 US F2000 Grand Prix of Portland
ARCA Menards 1:11.922[16] William Sawalich Toyota Camry 2024 Portland 112
TA1 1:13.574[17] Greg Pickett Ford Mustang Trans-Am 2019 Portland Trans-Am West Coast round
Barber Pro 1:14.122[18] Leonardo Maia Reynard 98E 2003 Portland Barber Pro round
USF Juniors 1:15.0871[19] Ariel Elkin Tatuus JR-23 2024 Continental Tire Grand Prix of Portland
TA2 1:15.114[20] Michael LaPaglia Ford Mustang Trans-Am 2024 Portland Trans-Am West Coast round
NASCAR Xfinity 1:15.253[21] Justin Allgaier Chevrolet Camaro SS 2024 Pacific Office Automation 147
GT4 1:17.660[22] Christian Szymczak Mercedes-AMG GT4 2019 Portland GT4 America round
TCR Touring Car 1:18.770[23] Michael James Lewis Hyundai i30 N TCR 2018 Portland Pirelli World Challenge round
Mazda MX-5 Cup 1:25.3537[24] Michael Carter Mazda MX-5 (ND) 2019 Portland Mazda MX-5 Cup round
Formula E Circuit: 3.190 km (2023–2024)
Formula E 1:10.650 Robin Frijns Jaguar I-Type 6 2024 Portland ePrix
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.129 km (1992–2007)[9][10]
Champ Car 0:59.259 Will Power Lola B02/00 2006 Grand Prix of Portland
CART 1:00.801 Bruno Junqueira Lola B02/00 2002 G.I. Joe's 200
IMSA GTP 1:02.067[25] P. J. Jones Eagle MkIII 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan
LMP1 1:04.271[26] Andy Wallace MG-Lola EX257 2005 Portland Grand Prix
LMP2 1:04.488[27] Lucas Luhr Porsche RS Spyder 2006 Portland Grand Prix
LMP900 1:04.909[28] Emanuele Pirro Audi R8 2000 Rose City Grand Prix
LMP 1:05.451[29] J.J. Lehto BMW V12 LMR 1999 Rose City Grand Prix
Formula Atlantic 1:05.680[30] Joe D´Agostino Swift 016.a 2006 Portland Formula Atlantic round
Indy Lights 1:06.572[31] Greg Moore Lola T93/20 1995 Portland Indy Lights round
GT1 (GTS) 1:08.595[26] Oliver Gavin Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2005 Portland Grand Prix
LMP675 1:09.394[32] Didier de Radigues Reynard 01Q 2001 Grand Prix of Portland
WSC 1:09.595[33] Fermin Velez Ferrari 333 SP 1994 Grand Prix of Portland
IMSA GTP Lights 1:10.849[25] Parker Johnstone Spice SE91P 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan
IMSA GTS 1:11.475[34] Darin Brassfield Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
GT2 (GTS) 1:12.219[35] Olivier Beretta Dodge Viper GTS-R 1999 Rose City Grand Prix
GT2 1:12.931[27] Jaime Melo Ferrari F430 GTC 2006 Portland Grand Prix
Trans-Am 1:13.992[36] Scott Pruett Chevrolet Camaro 1994 Portland Trans-Am round
GT 1:14.392[37] Boris Said BMW M3 GTR 2001 Grand Prix of Portland
IMSA GTO 1:14.613[34] Brian DeVries Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
IMSA GTU 1:17.355[38] John Fergus Dodge Daytona 1992 G.I. Joe's Camel Gran Prix Presented by Nissan
Super Touring 1:20.227[39] Randy Pobst Honda Accord 1996 Portland NATCC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.093 km (1984–1991)[9][10]
IMSA GTP 0:57.626[40] Wayne Taylor Intrepid RM-1 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
CART 1:00.058[41] Michael Andretti Lola T91/00 1991 Budweiser/G.I.Joe's 200
IMSA GTO 1:02.772[42] Dorsey Schroeder Ford Mustang 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
IMSA GTP Lights 1:03.495[40] Ruggero Melgrati Spice SE89P 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
IMSA AAC 1:07.996[42] Tommy Riggins Oldsmobile Cutlass 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
IMSA GTU 1:08.872[42] John Fergus Dodge Daytona 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
Trans-Am 1:11.090[43] Greg Pickett Mercury Capri 1984 Portland 200
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.082 km (1971–1983)[9][10]
IMSA GTP 1:04.860[44] John Fitzpatrick Porsche 935 K4 1982 G.I. Joe's/Toyota Grand Prix
IMSA GTX 1:06.140[45] John Paul, Jr. Lola T600 1981 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
TO 1:08.170[46] John Paul Porsche 935 JLP-1 1979 Portland Trans-Am round
IMSA GTO 1:10.540[44] Don Devendorf Nissan 280ZX Turbo 1982 G.I. Joe's/Toyota Grand Prix
Group 4 1:11.920[45] Dave Cowart BMW M1 1981 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
IMSA GTU 1:13.780[47] Bob Bergstrom Porsche 924 Carrera GTR 1983 G.I. Joe's Grand Prix
TU 1:21.330[48] Lee Midgley Alfa Romeo GTV 1972 Portland Trans-Am round

Lead contamination

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40% of races at the Portland International Raceway use leaded gasoline.[49] The urban location of the track, near the Portsmouth, Kenton and Piedmont neighborhoods of Portland, OR, has raised concerns about the potential for the Raceway to contribute to lead poisoning of nearby residents and a movement to end the use of leaded fuels at the Raceway.[50]

IndyCar race history

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Main article: Grand Prix of Portland

IMSA Sports Car race history

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Main article: Portland Grand Prix

Formula E race history

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Main article: Portland ePrix

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Casey Parks (September 17, 2014). "Portland Parks & Recreation hires former Intel marketer to manage Portland International Raceway". OregonLive. Retrieved July 9, 2020.
  2. ^ David Malsher-Lopez (August 30, 2018). "Dixon edges Penske pair, tops Portland test". Motorsport.com.
  3. ^ "List of FIA licensed circuits" (PDF) (Press release). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
  4. ^ Bengt Halvorson (April 16, 2007). "Raceway Seeks Carbon-Neutral Status". The Car Connection. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  5. ^ Emma Pattee and Stuart Henigson (June 21, 2023). "Revealed: a toxic metal is in a US city's air – and may be harming children's brains". The Guardian. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Portland International Raceway History". Portland International Raceway. Archived from the original on January 29, 2008.
  7. ^ Jeff Zurschmeide (February 15, 2008). "Track debuts smooth moves". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012.
  8. ^ "Formula E secures IndyCar venue as New York replacement in Season 9". The Race. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d "Portland International Raceway - Racingcircuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d "Portland - Motor Sport Magazine". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  11. ^ "2023 Portland Indy NXT". Motor Sport Magazine. 3 September 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  12. ^ "2018 Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Portland - Race 1 Lap Report" (PDF). 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  13. ^ "Grand Prix of Portland - GT SprintX - GT Class - Round 7 - Saturday 14th July 2018 - Classification - Final" (PDF). 14 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  14. ^ "Grand Prix of Portland GT SprintX Round 7 - Saturday 14th July 2018 - Sector Analysis" (PDF). 14 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  15. ^ "2018 Cooper Tires USF2000 GP of Portland - Race 1 Lap Report" (PDF). 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  16. ^ "2024 ARCA Menards Series West Portland 112". 31 May 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Trans Am West Round 5 Portland International Raceway July 26–28, 2019 Official TA TA2 GT Race Results" (PDF). 28 July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  18. ^ "2003 Barber Dodge Pro Series - Round 5: Portland, 22nd June - Race Results". 22 June 2003. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  19. ^ "2024 Continental Tire Grand Prix Of Portland - USF Juniors - Race 3" (PDF). 24 August 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  20. ^ "2024 Trans Am Western Championship Presented by Pirelli - CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series presented by Pirelli - Portland International Raceway July 26th-28th - All Classes Round 5 - Official Race 2 Results" (PDF). 28 July 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  21. ^ "2024 Portland NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Statistics". 1 June 2024. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
  22. ^ "2019 Pirelli GT4 America West - Portland - Race 2 - Classification - Final" (PDF). 14 July 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car 2018 » Portland International Raceway Round 7 Results". 14 July 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  24. ^ "2019 Global Mazda MX5 Cup - Portland International Raceway - Race 2 Lap Report" (PDF). 1 September 2019. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  25. ^ a b "Portland 2 Hours 1992". 26 July 1992. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  26. ^ a b "2005 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 30 July 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  27. ^ a b "2006 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 22 July 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  28. ^ "American Le Mans Series Portland 2000". 10 September 2000. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  29. ^ "2 h 45 min Portland 1999". 1 August 1999. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  30. ^ "2006 Formula Atlantic Portland". 18 June 2006. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  31. ^ "1995 Portland Indy Lights". Motor Sport Magazine. 25 June 1995. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  32. ^ "2001 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). International Motor Sports Association (IMSA). 5 August 2001. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  33. ^ "Portland 2 Hours 1994". 7 August 1994. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  34. ^ a b "Portland 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1993". 1 August 1993. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  35. ^ "American Le Mans Series Portland 1999". 1 August 1999. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  36. ^ "1994 TRANS-AM BOX SCORES" (PDF). 25 June 1994. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  37. ^ "2 h 45 min Portland 2001". 5 August 2001. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  38. ^ "Portland 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1992". 26 July 1992. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  39. ^ "NATCC 1996 » Portland International Raceway Round 6 Results". 22 June 1996. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  40. ^ a b "Portland 300 Kilometres 1991". 28 July 1991. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  41. ^ "1991 Portland Champ Cars". Motor Sport Magazine. 23 June 1991. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  42. ^ a b c "Portland [GT] 1991". 28 July 1991. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  43. ^ "Trans-Am Portland 1984". 16 June 1984. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  44. ^ a b "Portland 100 Miles 1982". 1 August 1982. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  45. ^ a b "Portland 100 Miles 1981". 2 August 1981. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  46. ^ "Trans-Am Portland 1979". 10 June 1979. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  47. ^ "Portland 3 Hours 1983". 31 July 1983. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  48. ^ "Trans-Am Portland - Two Five Challenge 1972". 17 September 1972. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  49. ^ Pattee, Emma; Henigson, Stuart (21 June 2023). "Revealed: a toxic metal is in a US city's air – and may be harming children's brains". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  50. ^ "Leadfreeparks.com ENDING LEADED FUEL AT PIR". Historic Kenton. Retrieved 23 June 2023.

Further reading

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