Portland International Raceway
Portland International Raceway (PIR) is a renowned motorsport road racing circuit located in Portland, Oregon. The track is celebrated as a hub for diverse racing events, ranging from open-wheel IndyCar competitions to sports car racing, drag racing, and motorcycle events. Its legacy is strongly tied to the Portland Rose Festival, making it a key part of the city’s sporting and cultural landscape.
History
PIR is built on the historic site of Vanport, Oregon, a city hastily constructed during World War II to house shipyard workers. Vanport was the second largest city in Oregon before it was completely destroyed on Memorial Day, May 30, 1948, when a railroad berm broke and released a catastrophic flood from the Columbia River. The flood obliterated the city, leaving only paved streets and concrete foundations intact. The land was acquired by the City of Portland in 1960.
Racing began in 1961 on these abandoned roads during the Portland Rose Festival, where the first Rose Cup race was held. Initially, the course consisted of old city streets, which presented safety challenges such as drivers potentially crashing into leftover foundations or ending up in water hazards. Due to increasing danger and refusal from sanctioning bodies to approve races on this course, the site was redeveloped into a permanent paved raceway in the early 1970s.
In the mid-1960s and late 1960s, several changes were made to the layout, including shortening the track to 1.8 miles and repaving the drag strip section. A major reconstruction in 1971 introduced sweeping curves replacing some straight sections and installed Armco barriers, pits, and safety improvements.
Further renovations in 1984 included the addition of the “Festival Curves” chicane near the front straight and installation of a permanent paddock and pit lane. These improvements increased the track length to approximately 1.964 miles and facilitated the introduction of CART IndyCar racing.
The track continued evolving with additional modifications to the chicane and other features over the years to enhance safety and racing quality. PIR has since become a favorite of many drivers and fans for its challenging yet accessible layout.
Most Famous Races Held
Noteworthy events at PIR include the Portland Rose Cup, held annually since 1961, and major races in the CART/IndyCar Series starting in 1984. The track is famous for producing close finishes, notably the 1986 IndyCar race where Mario Andretti edged out Michael Andretti by just 0.070 seconds—the smallest margin on a road course at the time—and the 1997 race that saw the closest two-car (0.027 seconds) and three-car (0.055 seconds) finishes in IndyCar history.
PIR has hosted various other professional and amateur events such as IMSA SportsCar races, drag racing meets, motorcycle racing, and special events including historic and cultural celebrations linked to the motorsport community.
Track Information
Portland International Raceway is a 1.964-mile (3.162 km) asphalt road course featuring 12 turns. The circuit has a predominantly flat layout but includes technical sections such as a chicane known as the Festival Curves near the end of the front straight, a sharp braking right-hander onto a sweeping backstretch (Turn 7), and a three-turn complex that leads back onto the main straight.
The track also incorporates a quarter-mile drag strip along what was once Cottonwood Street, and the facility includes modern paddock and spectator amenities. Safety features include Armco barriers and concrete fencing installed in the 1970s and upgraded over time.
PIR operates as a commercial facility owned by the City of Portland, hosting professional series, club racing, and special motorsport events year-round. It is distinct from other venues such as the Portland International Raceway dragstrip or other tracks with similar names.