Portland International Raceway
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 via the USGS satellite imagery | |
| Location | Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT−8 |
| Coordinates | 45°35′49″N 122°41′45″W |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| FIA Grade | 2 |
| Owner | City of Portland |
| Operator | E. C. Mueller |
| Broke ground | 1960 |
| Opened | June 1961 |
| Major events | Current: Formula E Portland ePrix (2023–present) 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 (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 LINE-X 225 (1999–2000) AMA Superbike Championship (1983–1984) |
| Website | http://www.portlandraceway.com/ |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 1.967 miles (3.166 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 0:58.7403 ( Carlos Muñoz, Dallara DW12, 2018, IndyCar) |
| Formula E Circuit (2023–present) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 2.001 miles (3.221 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 1:11.216 ( Mitch Evans, Jaguar I-Type 6, 2023, Formula E) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1992–2007) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 1.944 miles (3.129 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 0.59.259 ( Will Power, Lola B02/00, 2006, Champ Car) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1984–1991) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 1.922 miles (3.093 km) |
| Turns | 12 |
| Race lap record | 0:57.626 ( Wayne Taylor, Intrepid RM-1, 1991, IMSA GTP) |
| Grand Prix Circuit (1971–1983) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 1.915 miles (3.082 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| Race lap record | 1:04.860 ( John Fitzpatrick, Porsche 935 K4, 1982, IMSA GTP) |
| Full Circuit (1969–1970) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 1.800 miles (2.896 km) |
| Turns | 9 |
| West Delta Park Circuit (1966–1968) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 1.964 miles (3.160 km) |
| Turns | 11 |
| West Delta Park Circuit (1961–1965) | |
| Surface | Asphalt/concrete |
| Length | 2.000 miles (3.217 km) |
| Turns | 11 |
The track hosts the IndyCar Series, Formula E, 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.
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.
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. 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. This occurs primarily during drag races, as unleaded fuel (often alcohol based) is used in major weekends.