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Portland International Raceway

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 16 min

Portland International Raceway
Portland International Raceway logo.svg

Portland international raceway.svg
Map of Portland International Raceway
LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Time zoneGMT−8
Coordinates45°35′49″N 122°41′45″W / 45.59694°N 122.69583°W / 45.59694; -122.69583Coordinates: 45°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]
Opened1960
Major eventsCurrent:
IndyCar Series
Grand Prix of Portland
(1984–2007, 2018–2019, 2021–present)
NASCAR Xfinity Series
Pacific Office Automation 147 (2022)
ARCA Menards Series West
(1986, 2009–2012, 2021–present)
Former:
IMSA Portland Grand Prix
(1978–1994, 1999–2001, 2004–2006)
Pirelli World Challenge
Rose Cup Races
(2001, 2004–2005, 2018–2019)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
LINE-X 225
(1999–2000)
AMA Superbike Championship (1983–1984)
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)
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)[3]
SurfaceAsphalt/concrete
Length1.922 miles (3.093 km)
Turns12
Race lap record0:57.626 (South Africa Wayne Taylor, Intrepid RM-1, 1991, 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, GTP)
Websitewww.portlandraceway.com

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 a light rail station and less than a mile west of Interstate 5.

The track hosts the IndyCar Series, ICSCC and SCCA and OMRRA road racing, the NASCAR K&N Pro 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. One includes a hard chicane at the end of the front straight and involves 12 turns alength of 1.945 mi (3.130 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.[4]

The City of Portland is working to establish the track as carbon neutral.[5]

History[edit]

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.

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. The qualifying record is 0:57.3467, set by Will Power during the 2018 Grand Prix of Portland.

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

Lap records[edit]

The official outright all-time lap record set during a race weekend is 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. The official race lap records at Portland International Raceway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.166 km (2008–present)
IndyCar 58.7403 Carlos Muñoz Dallara DW12 2018 Grand Prix of Portland
Indy Lights 1:03.1665[8] Rinus VeeKay Dallara IL-15 2019 Indy Lights Grand Prix of Portland
Indy Pro 2000 1:07.159[9] Rinus VeeKay Tatuus PM-18 2018 Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Portland
US F2000 1:11.210[10] Kyle Kirkwood Tatuus USF-17 2018 US F2000 Grand Prix of Portland
TCR Touring Car 1:18.770[11] Michael James Lewis Hyundai i30 N TCR 2018 Portland Pirelli World Challenge round
Stock car racing 1:21.883[12] Myatt Snider Chevrolet Camaro SS 2022 Pacific Office Automation 147
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.129 km (1992–2007)
Champ Car 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
GTP 1:02.067[13] P. J. Jones Eagle MkIII 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan
LMP1 1:04.271[14] Andy Wallace MG-Lola EX257 2005 Portland Grand Prix
LMP2 1:04.488[15] Lucas Luhr Porsche RS Spyder 2006 Portland Grand Prix
LMP900 1:04.909[16] Emanuele Pirro Audi R8 2000 Rose City Grand Prix
Formula Atlantic 1:05.680[17] Joe D´Agostino Swift 016.a 2006 Portland Formula Atlantic round
Indy Lights 1:06.572[18] Greg Moore Lola T93/20 1995 Portland Indy Lights round
GT1 (GTS) 1:08.595[14] Oliver Gavin Chevrolet Corvette C6.R 2005 Portland Grand Prix
LMP675 1:09.394[19] Didier de Radigues Reynard 01Q 2001 Grand Prix of Portland
WSC 1:09.595[20] Fermin Velez Ferrari 333 SP 1994 Grand Prix of Portland
GTP Lights 1:10.849[13] Parker Johnstone Spice SE91P 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan
GTS 1:11.475[21] Darin Brassfield Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
GT2 1:12.931[22] Jaime Melo Ferrari F430 GTC 2006 Portland Grand Prix
Trans-Am 1:13.992[23] Scott Pruett Chevrolet Camaro 1994 Portland Trans-Am round
GTO 1:14.613[21] Brian DeVries Oldsmobile Cutlass 1993 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
Stock car racing 1:15.554[24] Chris Hart Chevrolet Monte Carlo 2000 NEXTPOSURE 100
Pickup truck racing 1:16.776[25] Greg Biffle Ford F-150 2000 LINE-X 225
GTU 1:17.355[26] John Fergus Dodge Daytona 1992 G.I. Joe's Camel Gran Prix Presented by Nissan
Super Touring 1:20.227[27] Randy Pobst Honda Accord 1996 Portland NATCC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.093 km (1984–1991)
GTP 57.626[28] Wayne Taylor Intrepid RM-1 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
CART 1:00.058[29] Michael Andretti Lola T91/00 1991 Budweiser/G.I.Joe's 200
GTO 1:02.772[30] Dorsey Schroeder Ford Mustang 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
GTP Lights 1:03.495[28] Ruggero Melgrati Spice SE89P 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
AAC 1:07.996[30] Tommy Riggins Oldsmobile Cutlass 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
GTU 1:08.872[30] John Fergus Dodge Daytona 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
Trans-Am 1:11.090[31] Greg Pickett Mercury Capri 1984 Portland 200
Stock car racing 1:11.313[32] Derrike Cope Ford Thunderbird 1986 Motorcraft 300
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.082 km (1971–1983)
GTP 1:04.860[33] John Fitzpatrick Porsche 935 K4 1982 G.I. Joe's/Toyota Grand Prix
GTO 1:10.540[33] Don Devendorf Nissan 280ZX Turbo 1982 G.I. Joe's/Toyota Grand Prix
GTU 1:13.780[34] Bob Bergstrom Porsche 924 Carrera GTR 1983 G.I. Joe's Grand Prix

IndyCar race history[edit]

Main article: Grand Prix of Portland

IMSA Sports Car race history[edit]

Main article: Portland Grand Prix

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ "Portland". Retrieved 24 May 2022.
  4. ^ "List of FIA licensed circuits" (PDF) (Press release). Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. December 14, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  5. ^ Bengt Halvorson (April 16, 2007). "Raceway Seeks Carbon-Neutral Status". The Car Connection. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007.
  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. ^ "2019 Portland Indy Lights - Round 16". Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  9. ^ "2018 Pro Mazda Portland Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  10. ^ "2018 U.S. F2000 Portland Race 1 Statistics". Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car 2018 » Portland International Raceway Round 7 Results". Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  12. ^ "2022 Portland NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Statistics". Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  13. ^ a b "Portland 2 Hours 1992". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  14. ^ a b "2005 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  15. ^ "2006 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  16. ^ "American Le Mans Series Portland 2000". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  17. ^ "2006 Formula Atlantic Portland". Retrieved 12 July 2022.
  18. ^ "1995 Portland Indy Lights". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  19. ^ "2001 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2005. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  20. ^ "Portland 2 Hours 1994". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  21. ^ a b "Portland 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1993". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  22. ^ "2006 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  23. ^ "1994 TRANS-AM BOX SCORES" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
  24. ^ "2000 NEXTPOSURE 100". Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  25. ^ "Portland starting line up". Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  26. ^ "Portland 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1992". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  27. ^ "NATCC 1996 » Portland International Raceway Round 6 Results". Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  28. ^ a b "Portland 300 Kilometres 1991". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  29. ^ "1991 Portland Champ Cars". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  30. ^ a b c "Portland [GT] 1991". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  31. ^ "Trans-Am Portland 1984". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  32. ^ "1986 MOTORCRAFT 300". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  33. ^ a b "Portland 100 Miles 1982". Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  34. ^ "Portland 3 Hours 1983". Retrieved 13 May 2022.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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