Portland International Raceway

Portland International Raceway, known to locals simply as PIR, is a permanent road course located in Portland, Oregon. Built on the former site of the flood-leveled town of Vanport, the track is owned by the City of Portland and sits in West Delta Park just minutes from downtown. It opened in June 1961 and has grown into one of the busiest motorsport venues on the West Coast, hosting professional series, club racing, and grassroots events nearly year-round.

The current Grand Prix configuration measures 1.967 miles over 12 turns and is rated FIA Grade 2. The layout is fast and flowing, with long straights, sweeping corners, and the notorious Festival Curves chicane that funnels the field at the start of a lap. Its flat terrain and forgiving sightlines make it a favorite for drivers learning racecraft, while the long straights reward horsepower and slipstream battles. The circuit has been reconfigured several times across its history, evolving from the original West Delta Park layout into the modern road course used today.

PIR matters to drivers because it blends accessibility with genuine professional pedigree. It has hosted the IndyCar Series Grand Prix of Portland, the ARCA Menards Series West, NASCAR Xfinity competition, and the all-electric Formula E Portland ePrix, alongside a deep calendar of SCCA and Porsche Club racing, autocross, and driver education. For students stepping into performance and competition driving, the track offers a safe, high-grip environment where car control, braking, and racing lines can be developed at speed.