PIR HISTORY PAGE 2
Photo courtesy City of Portland archives (file #A2006-006.188)
Bleacher shot circa 1970. Give me a warm summer day in Portland, the smell and sounds of nitro and burning rubber, and I won't care if I fall off or through the "grandstands" cause I'll be lovin' every moment of it!
Photo courtesy City of Portland archives (file #A2006-006.190)
New bleachers circa 1972. Recognize anyone?
Photo courtesy SCCA Oregon Region. Used with permission.
From the 1960's through the 1973 season, this was the timing/scoring tower. If it looks familiar,
CLICK HERE to find out why.
Photo courtesy City of Portland archives (file #A2000-006.193)
The new Blitz Weinhard tower being christened in 1974 by Commissioner Frank Ivancie (right) and an executive of the Blitz brewery (don't know who the babe on the right is). As you can see, rather than the traditional champagne, a large bottle of Blitz beer was used for the ceremony. The tower was donated to PIR by the Blitz Weinhard brewery at a cost of $56,000.
CLICK HERE FOR TOWER CONSTRUCTION PICS
The tower remained the Blitz tower through the early 80's when it was renamed the 7-11 tower. A few years later it became the Goodyear tower and remains as such today.
One major factor in the history of Portland International Raceway has been the noise element. While beautiful noise in my opinion, not everyone agrees. For a brief history of the noise factor at PIR, click
HERE
Your tickets to the past:
DRAG RACES
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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