Friends Of Portland International Raceway

[ineedmoney]

Fellow users of Portland International Raceway,
Since 1961, Portland International Raceway (PIR) has been a valuable community resource for motorsports, as well as numerous other community activities. Over time, it has developed into one of the pre-eminent racetracks in the United States, and has been a regular venue for many of the premier U.S. professional race series. Local and national users alike have contributed to the PIR’s maintenance and enhancement, and it has been largely self-sustaining. Its uniqueness comes from its convenient location within the
Portland city limits and its city ownership. The latter makes it very affordable for users, and also expands its utility to numerous groups unconnected with motorsports. But these points of uniqueness have also had some drawbacks. The continued existence of PIR has occasionally been threatened by alternative development suggestions, and we are now faced with noise level challenges. At each time of challenge, we have come together as a group to demonstrate the importance of PIR to the City and the State. Although we have met each challenge successfully, we have never organized ourselves in
a way that would take the positive lead and raise PIR to new heights, with enhanced capability as a premier national motorsports center and as a critical component of the recreational, cultural and economic fabric of the City and State. Now is the time to do so. Friends of PIR, an Oregon non-profit corporation, has been formed in order to bring together under one umbrella all of the individuals, groups and businesses who enjoy a connection to PIR. Together, we can take the lead, focus our efforts on the preservation and enhancement of PIR, and ensure that it will remain a central feature of our
community for years to come.
Right now, Friends of PIR needs three things:
1. All the Friends it can get. Individual membership in the Friends is free of charge, and we’d like you to encourage each of your members to become a Friend by visiting our website at www.friendsofpir.com. All information collected will be kept strictly confidential and used only in support of PIR.
2. A key part of the management of Friends of PIR will be an Advisory Council,
which will be made up of representatives of PIR user groups, local businesses and business organizations, and other parties with an interest in keeping PIR open as a premier motorsports facility. We would like your group to consider appointing one representative to the Advisory Council.
3. Finally, we are going to need some financial support. We encourage every
interested group to consider how best it can support Friends of PIR and our efforts to preserve and enhance PIR. We will need both your time and your money, but the investment will be worthwhile. A brief summary of the mission and expected activities of Friends of PIR is attached. Please circulate this information and make it available to your membership.
And thank you in advance for your interest and support.
The Friends of PIR Board of Directors
Greg Baldwin
Gary Bockman
John Draneas
Verne Naito
David Pollock

[synergy Z]

PIR was my home track a long long time ago hope to get back soon

[Camp58]

I hate to be a naysayer because I to have enjoyed the benefits of PIR.
However the fact is, real estate values are way up in North Portland and ever since the city refused to bring the main straight of the track up to NHRA requirements, the handwriting has been on the wall. Now the Speedway is gone, and the City of Portland declined the opportunity to host races sanctioned by NASCAR.
DEQ & the EPA are not interested in preserving a racetrack in a metropolitan area prone to atmospheric inversion problems.
You are making a valiant effort, but I fear PIR's days are numbered.