PIR Drag Racing History - Page Two
Due to the escalating illegal street racing problem in Portland, in 2000, the late night racing programs at PIR were born. The Street Legal program gave the street racers a safe and legal place to race their friends as well as test and tune their cars. Based on the "grudge" racing format, with no actual eliminations, for a ten dollar fee, you could run the quarter mile all evening until 1:00 am! Noise restrictions of course apply. The street legal program continues today. For dates and further information, see the schedule at the
PIR web site.By 2002, with bracket racing on Wednesday nights and the very popular Friday and Saturday night street legal races, drag racing was once again becoming the most popular activity at PIR. The revenue brought in from these races paid for an all new Compulink timing system to replace old Chrondex system - some of which had been in use since the 60's! This completely new system was permanently installed with all underground wiring.
PHOTO: Pete Macias
Installation of the new timing system in 2002.
THE RETURN OF MAJOR DRAG RACING TO PIR?
To help determine the feasibility of major drag racing making a return to PIR, on September 12, 2003, a noise test was conducted. The test was held in conjunction with the Friday night street legal drags. Five cars that would duplicate the noise levels of a major race were invited to participate. Including the blown alcohol 1957 Chevy nostalgia funny car of Bernie Rugg as seen below.
The test would give the surrounding neighborhoods a feel for the noise levels they could expect if major drag racing were to return to PIR. It would also serve as the beginning of what would be many meetings with the community, city leaders, the noise review board, etc. More on this later.
There were several major updates for the 2004 season. The most welcomed by both and spectators and racers was the addition of the new Daktronics ET/MPH reader boards placed on the Good Year bridge.
Another addition for the 2004 season was the update to LED light bulbs in the tree. These bulbs were now being used at all NHRA national and divisional events.
For the 2005 season, the big news was the (almost) return of an NHRA Divisional Points race to PIR. Scheduled for August 5-7, this would have been the first Divisional event held here in twenty years. Unfortunately and despite all the hard work of PIR Managers Mark Wigginton and Pete Macias, a noise variance could not be obtained in time for the event and it was moved to Mission Raceway. While the possibility of a Divisional event in the future still exists, that will be for another chapter in the PIR History Pages.
PHOTO: Pete Macias
PHOTO: Pete Macias
Revenue from racing activities allowed several major improvements to be made during the 2004/2005 winter. The Musco lights that were purchased in 2000 were installed and the concrete starting pad was increased to a total length of 326 feet.
To be continued. Check back again!
Copyright © 2002 Greg Rollin. All photos and copyrighted information used with permission. While I have gone to much effort to ensure the accuracy of the information posted here, the possibility for error exists. In my research, I sometimes found conflicting information even from credible sources. Should you see anything you believe to be in error, please e-mail
ME