Race Fans and Volunteers Encouraged to Use MAX Yellow Line to Portland International Raceway
PORTLAND, Ore. (August 21, 2018) – The Grand Prix of Portland is proud to partner with TriMet, the regional transit agency in Portland, Ore. TriMet’s MAX Light Rail provides a convenient, quick and cost-effective transportation option for race fans and festival-goers attending the event, August 31-September 2.
TriMet’s MAX Yellow Line drops off at the Delta Park/Vanport MAX Station, right next to Portland International Raceway (PIR). The main gate is less than a tenth of a mile from the rail station. Transfer to the MAX Yellow Line from other MAX lines at the Rose Quarter Transit Center. TriMet has a number of free Park & Rides throughout the MAX system to help passengers connect with trains.
“We welcome race fans from around the world and here in the local area to our transit system,” said TriMet Manager of Marketing & Outreach Services Lauren Parker. “TriMet’s MAX service moves you around the traffic on the highway, so you don’t miss any of the action, from the green flag to the checkered.”
TriMet provides more than 300,000 trips a day, operating buses, MAX Light Rail and WES Commuter Rail transit services throughout the Portland metro area.
A day pass costs $5 for adults and $2.50 for youth (ages 7-17) and honored citizens (ages 65+). Children six years and under ride free. TriMet’s Hop Fastpass™ lets riders purchase some fares with a phone. View schedules and plan the trip to PIR at trimet.org. TriMet’s Rider Support team is also available seven days a week between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PT. Call 503-238-RIDE (7433), go online to trimet.org/contact or reach out to @trimethelp on Twitter.
“This is going to be a major event in the Pacific Northwest with large crowds expected for the Grand Prix of Portland as Indy cars return to the Rose City after an 11-year absence. TriMet is a cost-effective option to travel to and from the race, lessening the need to navigate traffic for both our race fans and volunteers,” said Jerry Jensen, general manager of the Grand Prix of Portland. “It’s great to partner with TriMet, not only to get people to the raceway, but also build excitement and awareness for the race weekend.”
Racing action will be non-stop during the weekend, headlined by Sunday’s 105-lap (206.54 miles) Verizon IndyCar Series race serving as Round 16 of 17 on the 2018 season schedule. Doubleheaders will be held for all three open-wheel development series comprising the Mazda Road to Indy presented by Cooper Tires. Championships will be on the line as PIR is the final stop in 2018 for these three series. Mazda Global MX-5 Cup will provide additional full-fender action.
The Grand Prix of Portland is a tremendous family value. Children 12 and under receive free general admission to the event and free admission to the Verizon IndyCar Series paddock throughout the weekend when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Visit portlandgp.com for ticket information.
ABOUT TRIMET
TriMet provides safe, efficient and reliable transit service in the Portland, Oregon metro area. TriMet connects people with their community, while easing traffic congestion and reducing air pollution – making the region a better place to live. Find out more at trimet.org.
ABOUT GRAND PRIX OF PORTLAND
Portland International Raceway (PIR) is the home of the Grand Prix of Portland. PIR is a 1.967-mile, 12-turn permanent road course owned by the City of Portland and operated under the Portland Parks and Recreation. Opened in 1960 to host sports car and drag racing, the 268-acre property is the site of over 550 events annually including automotive and motorcycle road racing, motocross, cruise-ins and other special events including the Rose Cup Races.
The inaugural Indy car race PIR was held in 1984 and won by Al Unser Jr. Current Verizon IndyCar Series driver Sebastien Bourdais was the winner of PIR’s last professional open-wheel event in 2007. Indy car racing had a rich 24-year tradition racing at PIR from 1984-2007 which included many memorable races. The Father’s Day race of 1986 featured Mario Andretti victorious over his son Michael on the last lap by less than a second. There was also the closest three-way road racing finish in Indy car history in 1997 when the top three were covered by just 0.055 of a second. The Grand Prix of Portland is owned and operated by Green Savoree Racing Promotions, which also promotes Honda Indy Toronto (July 13-15, 2018), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (July 27-29, 2018) and Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (March 8-10, 2019).
For more information, visit portlandgp.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @PortlandGP or follow updates on Twitter @Portland_GP and Instagram at @Portland_GP using #PortlandGP.
Media Inquiries:
Steve Bidlack, Manager Marketing and Communications
419-884-4000 Ext. 4623 (office) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
