DRAG RACING

The exact date for the first drag race held at West Delta Park remains somewhat a mystery at this point. Actually, the first year is the question. 1965 is often cited. If it was, it must have been a very low key deal. As I have found no reference to drag racing in any of the 1965 West Delta Park records nor any other printed source. Until I find something to prove otherwise, we'll start with 1966.

In 1967, due to the deteriorating condition of the original 1942 pavement on Cottonwood St., the drag races were moved to Force Ave. In this south to north configuration, the track was still limited to an 1/8^th mile course due to another jog. This time where Force Ave. met Victory Blvd. (although no longer a part of the course, some of this intersection still remains at the west end gate). During this time, Force Ave. was often used for illegal street racing. Because the track roads were not secured at night, by entering on Denver Ave., many illegal midnight drag races took place.

Although still an 1/8^th mile track, in 1969, drag racing returned to its original and current location when Cottonwood St. was repaved. While this was a welcome improvement, it also meant going back to the (sometimes sun in your eyes), east to west layout. With 15 major drag races on the schedule, 1970 was the peak year for drag racing at PIR.

Photo courtesy City of Portland archives (file #A2006-006.187)

Match races and booked-in nitro shows continued to increase in popularity. Drawing in thousands of (albeit sometimes unruly) spectators to each event. These shows featured many of the big names of drag racing at the time.

 PIR trivia notes: Don Garlits' first five second runs happened at PIR. On July 7, 1973, "Big Daddy" became the 4^th member of the Cragar 5-Second Club by running a pair of 5.95's at the Rainier Race of Champions event. Don Prudhomme captured the first of his four national championships in Funny Car (the Army Monza) by winning the Division 6 race at PIR in 1975 (remember, nitro classes were included in the divisional events at the time).

As promoters looked for different ways to increase ticket sales, some of the booked-in type nitro shows had taken on an almost circus like atmosphere. Over the years some of the sideshow acts included motorcycle jumpers, kite cyclists, rocket cars, rocket go-carts, jet cars, wheel standers, rock bands and such. And who could forget the English Leather calendar girl search (anybody have any pictures to share?). But of course the nitro cars were still the main attraction. With the possible exception being the Fox Hunt Drags. Where the "chicks" got in for free. For nitro junkies like myself, the best of the booked-in shows were without question the 32 Funny Car events. At the end of the qualifying sessions, all 32 cars were brought out on the track. A count down was given and all were fired up at the same time! Talk about sensory overload. But the best was still to come with six rounds of eliminations. Those were the days indeed.

Rich Carlson photo. Used with permission.

1981- 1983 The AHRA era

 Although NHRA Divisions 6 and 7 were still combined, PIR returned to NHRA sanctioning in 1984. While I feel this was a good thing, unfortunately it meant the end of PIR hosting a national event. It did however, mean the return of a NHRA Division 6 points meet. Which was held on June 2-3 as the Rose Festival Drags. Although after the 1980 season, the nitro categories were no longer a part of NHRA's Divisional races.

With increasing pressure over noise issues, in 1984, the already reduced major drag race program was limited to a 9:30pm curfew for all non-muffled vehicles. A Division 6 points meet would be held (for the last time at PIR) in 1985. 

T-Shirt from the last major drag race held at PIR

 With increasing pressure from citizen groups regarding noise concerns, the issue once again came up before the Portland city council. In a 3-2 vote, the council mandated that no major drag race events would be on the 1986 and future PIR schedules. The deciding vote was cast by mayor Bud Clark. After almost two decades, major drag racing had come to an end at PIR. Fortunately, the Wednesday night bracket racing program was unaffected by the decision. As strictly enforced noise limits and a 10:00 pm curfew were already in place. Wednesday night 1/8^th mile bracket racing continues today as a part of the PIR schedule.

The CART and IMSA series would be the only major races to return to PIR in 1986.

 Trivia note on the Last Major Drag Race held at PIR: The final pair of Funny Cars to go down Cottonwood Street were the BB/FC's of Brad Anderson and Bucky Austin. With the win going to Anderson.

READY FOR SOME PICTURES?

To be continued. Check back again!