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When participants aren't at the track, they're patronizing locally owned restaurants, bars and
coffeehouses, according to EcoNorthwest, which released the study last year. Those racing
there visit auto parts stores and gas stations.
If they're from out-of-town, they're staying in hotels. One hotel operator told Mark Wigginton,
the track's manager, that the Champ Car event brings the hotel some $500,000 that week
alone.
PIR itself collects a bit of the money, as well. Because it's a city park, any money collected
above operating costs goes toward improving PIR's facilities.
Unlike other city parks, PIR receives no general fund dollars: Its revenue stream comes mainly
from facility rentals. About 30 different user groups host club events there; during its peak
season, PIR hosts multi-day events every weekend.
"Think of us as a convention center with asphalt," Wigginton said.
As such, PIR is seeking a naming-rights sponsor. For now, its largest revenue stream comes
from drag racing, which, at $22 to race and $8 to watch, earned the track $323,000 in fiscal
year 2005-06.
"It draws everyone from guys with slammed Honda Civics to men of a certain age with Vipers,"
Wigginton said. "The cool thing is, they get along well with each other."
Such enthusiasts typically embrace the track's highest-profile event, the June Champ Car
Grand Prix of Portland race. This year's Champ Car race, which airs on ABC, marks the final
year of a contract that organizers hope to renew.
A business group organized two years ago to keep the race in Portland continues to seek
economic development assistance from state and local leaders, said Karen Whitman, who
heads the Champ Car Coalition group.
About $8 million of PIR's economic impact comes from Champ Car, said Mike Nealy, president
of Global Events Group, which promotes the race.
The league's leaders have been mum on the matter.
"There's been some struggles with the series but [Champ Car is] growing out of them,"
Wigginton said. "It's a great opportunity to showcase the city. On the television broadcast, the
bumpers in and out of it show Mount Hood, the MAX trains, downtown. It's a Portland postcard."
To some neighbors, PIR's view is less picturesque. Residents in the gentrifying area frequently
gripe about the engine roars emanating across the Columbia Slough.
coffeehouses, according to EcoNorthwest, which released the study last year. Those racing
there visit auto parts stores and gas stations.
If they're from out-of-town, they're staying in hotels. One hotel operator told Mark Wigginton,
the track's manager, that the Champ Car event brings the hotel some $500,000 that week
alone.
PIR itself collects a bit of the money, as well. Because it's a city park, any money collected
above operating costs goes toward improving PIR's facilities.
Unlike other city parks, PIR receives no general fund dollars: Its revenue stream comes mainly
from facility rentals. About 30 different user groups host club events there; during its peak
season, PIR hosts multi-day events every weekend.
"Think of us as a convention center with asphalt," Wigginton said.
As such, PIR is seeking a naming-rights sponsor. For now, its largest revenue stream comes
from drag racing, which, at $22 to race and $8 to watch, earned the track $323,000 in fiscal
year 2005-06.
"It draws everyone from guys with slammed Honda Civics to men of a certain age with Vipers,"
Wigginton said. "The cool thing is, they get along well with each other."
Such enthusiasts typically embrace the track's highest-profile event, the June Champ Car
Grand Prix of Portland race. This year's Champ Car race, which airs on ABC, marks the final
year of a contract that organizers hope to renew.
A business group organized two years ago to keep the race in Portland continues to seek
economic development assistance from state and local leaders, said Karen Whitman, who
heads the Champ Car Coalition group.
About $8 million of PIR's economic impact comes from Champ Car, said Mike Nealy, president
of Global Events Group, which promotes the race.
The league's leaders have been mum on the matter.
"There's been some struggles with the series but [Champ Car is] growing out of them,"
Wigginton said. "It's a great opportunity to showcase the city. On the television broadcast, the
bumpers in and out of it show Mount Hood, the MAX trains, downtown. It's a Portland postcard."
To some neighbors, PIR's view is less picturesque. Residents in the gentrifying area frequently
gripe about the engine roars emanating across the Columbia Slough.