Portland International Raceway Explained

Portland International Raceway
Track Map:Portland international raceway.svg
Location:Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates:45.5969°N -122.6958°W
Time:GMT−8
Capacity:30,000
Owner:City of Portland
Lap Record Holder.:. #1 Vicktor Salvador.
Operator:E. C. Mueller[1]
Fiagrade:2
Broke Ground:1960
Events:Current:
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
West Series races at Portland
(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)
Layout1:Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present)
Surface:Asphalt/concrete
Miles First:True
Length Km:3.166
Length Mi:1.967[2]
Turns:12
Record Time:0:58.7403
Record Driver: Carlos Muñoz
Record Car:Dallara DW12
Record Year:2018
Record Class:IndyCar
Layout2:Formula E Circuit (2023–2024)
Surface2:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km2:3.221
Length Mi2:2.001
Turns2:12
Record Time2:1:10.650
Record Driver2: Robin Frijns
Record Car2:Jaguar I-Type 6
Record Year2:2024
Record Class2:F-E
Layout3:Grand Prix Circuit (1992–2007)
Surface3:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km3:3.129
Length Mi3:1.944
Turns3:12
Record Time3:0.59.259
Record Driver3: Will Power
Record Car3:Lola B02/00
Record Year3:2006
Record Class3:Champ Car
Layout4:Grand Prix Circuit (1984–1991)
Surface4:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km4:3.093
Length Mi4:1.922
Turns4:12
Record Time4:0:57.626
Record Driver4: Wayne Taylor
Record Car4:Intrepid RM-1
Record Year4:1991
Record Class4:IMSA GTP
Layout5:Grand Prix Circuit (1971–1983)
Surface5:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km5:3.082
Length Mi5:1.915
Turns5:9
Record Time5:1:04.860
Record Driver5: John Fitzpatrick
Record Car5:Porsche 935 K4
Record Year5:1982
Record Class5:IMSA GTP
Layout6:Full Circuit (1969–1970)
Surface6:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km6:2.896
Length Mi6:1.800
Turns6:9
Layout7:West Delta Park Circuit (1966–1968)
Surface7:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km7:3.160
Length Mi7:1.964
Turns7:11
Layout8:West Delta Park Circuit (1961–1965)
Surface8:Asphalt/concrete
Length Km8:3.217
Length Mi8:2.000
Turns8:11

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.

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.

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 . Without the chicane, the track has nine turns and a lap length of . 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, 1991, 1992), Bobby Rahal (1987), Sébastien Bourdais (2004, 2007), Will Power (2019), 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

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.

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. Álex Palou (2021, 2023) has won twice since the race has 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.

Lap records

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 June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at Portland International Raceway are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.166 km (2008–present)[9] [10]
0:58.7403 2018 Grand Prix of Portland
1:02.8861[11] 2023 Portland Indy NXT round
1:07.1597[12] 2018 Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Portland
1:10.791[13] [14] 2018 Portland SprintX GT Championship round
1:11.2101[15] 2018 US F2000 Grand Prix of Portland
1:13.574[16] 2019 Portland Trans-Am West Coast round
1:15.220[17] 2022 Portland Trans-Am West Coast round
1:15.253[18] 2024 Pacific Office Automation 147
1:17.660[19] 2019 Portland GT4 America round
1:18.770[20] 2018 Portland Pirelli World Challenge round
1:25.3537[21] 2019 Portland Mazda MX-5 Cup round
Formula E Circuit: 3.190 km (2023–2024)
1:10.650
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.129 km (1992–2007)
0:59.259
1:00.801 2002 G.I. Joe's 200
1:02.067[22] 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan
1:04.271[23] 2005 Portland Grand Prix
1:04.488[24] 2006 Portland Grand Prix
1:04.909[25] 2000 Rose City Grand Prix
1:05.451[26] 1999 Rose City Grand Prix
1:05.680[27] 2006 Portland Formula Atlantic round
1:06.572[28] 1995 Portland Indy Lights round
1:08.595 2005 Portland Grand Prix
1:09.394[29]
1:09.595[30] 1994 Grand Prix of Portland
1:10.849 1992 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix Presented by Nissan
1:11.475[31]
1:12.219[32] 1999 Rose City Grand Prix
1:12.931 2006 Portland Grand Prix
1:13.992[33] 1994 Portland Trans-Am round
1:14.392[34] 2001 Grand Prix of Portland
1:14.613
1:17.355[35]
1:20.227[36] 1996 Portland NATCC round
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.093 km (1984–1991)
0:57.626[37]
1:00.058[38]
1:02.772[39] 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
1:03.495
1:07.996 1991 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
1:08.872
1:11.090[40]
Grand Prix Circuit: 3.082 km (1971–1983)
1:04.860[41]
1:06.140[42] 1981 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
1:08.170[43] 1979 Portland Trans-Am round
1:10.540
1:11.920 1981 G.I. Joe's/Camel Grand Prix
1:13.780[44] 1983 G.I. Joe's Grand Prix
1:21.330[45] 1972 Portland Trans-Am round

Lead contamination

40% of races at the Portland International Raceway use leaded gasoline.[46] 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.[47]

IndyCar race history

See main article: Grand Prix of Portland.

IMSA Sports Car race history

See main article: Portland Grand Prix.

Formula E race history

See main article: Portland ePrix.

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Casey Parks . Portland Parks & Recreation hires former Intel marketer to manage Portland International Raceway . . September 17, 2014 . July 9, 2020.
  2. Web site: David Malsher-Lopez . Dixon edges Penske pair, tops Portland test . . August 30, 2018 .
  3. List of FIA licensed circuits . PDF . Federation Internationale de l'Automobile . 14 December 2018 . 24 September 2019.
  4. Web site: Bengt Halvorson . Raceway Seeks Carbon-Neutral Status . The Car Connection . April 16, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070927193328/http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Daily_Auto_News/Raceway_Seeks_Carbon-Neutral_Status.S173.A12221.html . September 27, 2007.
  5. News: Revealed: a toxic metal is in a US city’s air – and may be harming children’s brains. June 21, 2023. Emma Pattee and Stuart Henigson. The Guardian. June 21, 2023.
  6. Web site: Portland International Raceway History . Portland International Raceway . https://web.archive.org/web/20080129170640/http://www.portlandraceway.com/history.asp . January 29, 2008.
  7. News: Jeff Zurschmeide . Track debuts smooth moves . . February 15, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120218223905/http://www.portlandtribune.com/sports/story.php?story_id=120302810218974400 . February 18, 2012.
  8. Web site: Formula E secures IndyCar venue as New York replacement in Season 9 . The Race . 7 December 2022 . 8 December 2022 . en.
  9. Web site: Portland International Raceway - Racingcircuits . RacingCircuits.info . 20 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Portland - Motor Sport Magazine . . 24 May 2022.
  11. Web site: 2023 Portland Indy NXT . . 3 September 2023 . 2 June 2024.
  12. Web site: 2018 Pro Mazda Grand Prix of Portland - Race 1 Lap Report . 1 September 2018 . 2 June 2024.
  13. Web site: Grand Prix of Portland GT SprintX - GT Class Round 7 - Saturday 14th July 2018 - Classification - Final . 14 July 2018 . 2 September 2023.
  14. Web site: Grand Prix of Portland GT SprintX Round 7 - Saturday 14th July 2018 - Sector Analysis . 14 July 2018 . 2 September 2023.
  15. Web site: 2018 Cooper Tires USF2000 GP of Portland - Race 1 Lap Report . 1 September 2018 . 2 June 2024.
  16. Web site: Trans Am West Round 5 Portland International Raceway July 26–28, 2019 Official TA TA2 GT Race Results . 28 July 2019 . 2 July 2023.
  17. Web site: Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli July 15–17 2022 Portland International Raceway Trans Am West Round 5 All Classes Race Revised Official Results . 21 July 2022 . 2 July 2023.
  18. Web site: 2024 Portland NASCAR Xfinity Series Race Statistics . 1 June 2024 . 2 June 2024.
  19. Web site: 2019 Pirelli GT4 America West - Portland - Race 2 - Classification - Final . 14 July 2019 . 2 September 2023.
  20. Web site: Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car 2018 » Portland International Raceway Round 7 Results . 14 July 2018 . 12 May 2022.
  21. Web site: 2019 Global Mazda MX5 Cup - Portland International Raceway - Race 2 Lap Report . 1 September 2019 . 5 August 2023.
  22. Web site: Portland 2 Hours 1992 . 26 July 1992 . 13 May 2022.
  23. Web site: 2005 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS . https://web.archive.org/web/20061110075759/http://www.imsaracing.net/2003/events/portland05/ALMS_OfficialRace.pdf . . 30 July 2005 . 10 November 2006 . 13 May 2022 . dead.
  24. Web site: 2006 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS . https://web.archive.org/web/20061110073639/http://www.imsaracing.net/2006/events/portland/ALMS_OfficialRace.pdf . . 22 July 2006 . 10 November 2006 . 13 May 2022 . dead.
  25. Web site: American Le Mans Series Portland 2000 . 10 September 2000 . 13 May 2022.
  26. Web site: 2 h 45 min Portland 1999 . 1 August 1999 . 14 January 2023.
  27. Web site: 2006 Formula Atlantic Portland . 18 June 2006 . 12 July 2022.
  28. Web site: 1995 Portland Indy Lights . . 25 June 1995 . 31 May 2022.
  29. Web site: 2001 RACE RESULTS - OFFICIAL RESULTS . https://web.archive.org/web/20051016113320/http://www.imsaracing.net/races/01portland/ALMSResults.pdf . . 5 August 2001 . 16 October 2005 . 13 May 2022 . dead.
  30. Web site: Portland 2 Hours 1994 . 7 August 1994 . 13 May 2022.
  31. Web site: Portland 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1993 . 1 August 1993 . 13 May 2022.
  32. Web site: American Le Mans Series Portland 1999 . 1 August 1999 . 27 March 2023.
  33. Web site: 1994 TRANS-AM BOX SCORES . https://web.archive.org/web/20130518144148/http://cms.scca.com/documents/Pro%20Racing/Archives/Trans-Am/1994.pdf . 25 June 1994 . 18 May 2013 . 28 May 2022 . dead.
  34. Web site: 2 h 45 min Portland 2001 . 5 August 2001 . 14 January 2023.
  35. Web site: Portland 1 Hour IMSA GTS 1992 . 26 July 1992 . 13 May 2022.
  36. Web site: NATCC 1996 » Portland International Raceway Round 6 Results . 22 June 1996 . 12 May 2022.
  37. Web site: Portland 300 Kilometres 1991 . 28 July 1991 . 13 May 2022.
  38. Web site: 1991 Portland Champ Cars . . 23 June 1991 . 13 May 2022.
  39. Web site: Portland [GT] 1991 ]. 28 July 1991 . 13 May 2022.
  40. Web site: Trans-Am Portland 1984 . 16 June 1984 . 13 May 2022.
  41. Web site: Portland 100 Miles 1982 . 1 August 1982 . 13 May 2022.
  42. Web site: Portland 100 Miles 1981 . 2 August 1981 . 30 January 2023.
  43. Web site: Trans-Am Portland 1979 . 10 June 1979 . 30 January 2023.
  44. Web site: Portland 3 Hours 1983 . 31 July 1983 . 13 May 2022.
  45. Web site: Trans-Am Portland - Two Five Challenge 1972 . 17 September 1972 . 30 January 2023.
  46. News: Pattee . Emma . Henigson . Stuart . Revealed: a toxic metal is in a US city’s air – and may be harming children’s brains . 23 June 2023 . The Guardian . 21 June 2023.
  47. Web site: Leadfreeparks.com ENDING LEADED FUEL AT PIR . Historic Kenton . 23 June 2023.