Portland International Raceway

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

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.

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.

  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.