Dan H
Somewhere between '74 and '82 "R. B." Bushman was running the show. At least
he was when I started racing there in '77. I also remember a "clinic" at the
track lectured by some David Auker guy. The only thing I remember from that
lecture was he said, "during the winter when you are making more money is
the time to acquire equipment such as tires". I never did understand the
concept of "making more money in the winter".
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Anderson"
To: ; ;
; "Verne Naito"
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2007 9:12 PM
Subject: [OBRA Chat] History of Bicycle Races at PIR, Read,then join Friends
of PIR...
> This was compiled and sent out on the friends of PIR email list.
>
> We urge you to join the Friends of PIR if you are have ever raced a bike
> on
> PIR!
>
> To join, its easy:
>
> http://www.friendsofpir.com/signup.php
>
>
>
>
>
> History of Bicycle Racing at PIR
>
> A Timeline
>
> 1960s Informal "pirate" races begin on the streets of old Vanport
> (flooded in the late 40s). Road racing circuit through obliterated "drown
> "town Vanport was a ghostly experience. Race obstacles included urban
> artifacts such as front porches, curbs and sidewalks.
>
>
> 1966 Organized racing begins at what was then called Delta Park. Two
> events were held, a "novice" race and a "senior" race. The start-finish
> was
> about where it is today, with "bell" laps indicated by banging on the old
> guardrail. Apparently the promoter would start, race in, referee and
> judge
> the races.
>
>
> 1970-71 PIR racetrack built. Bicycle racing temporarily moves to a
> rural
> circuit near Bethany in Washington County.
>
>
> 1972 Thursday night racing at Delta Park begins. Remnants of Vanport
> still existed. The six-race series was "handicap" format with three groups
> of approximately 30 racers starting with gaps of 2 minutes. Popularity
> increases for the series with a record turnout of 69 riders in July 1973.
> Word has it that races were no-nonsense, head down and fast - 25 miles in
> just over 52 minutes (29 mph average!) Promoter - Del Scharffenberg,
> 1972-73.
>
> bike1
> 1974 Tuesday night racing begins. The series increases to twelve weeks
> with total participants averaging between 60-70 riders. Scoring was only a
> few places deep, with only one official and all the wives, girlfriends
> helping out.
>
>
> 1982 Format changes include monthly series points with "hot-spot"
> points
> and finish points, and one-lap time trials. Video cameras make life easier
> for judges. Promoter - Randy Shafer, 1982-87.
>
>
> 1987 Series expands to 16 weeks (May-August) including all USCF
> sanctioned categories (1, 2, 3 and 4). Total average participation
> balloons
> to over 175 riders per evening. Cyclocross racing begins in the infield
> area. Promoter - Jeff Haase, 1987-1996. Mountain bike racing experimented
> with at PIR in motocross area.
>
> bike6
>
> 1991 Monday night race series begins for Masters (over 30), women and
> Juniors (under 18). Expands from racing every other Monday to now every
> Monday night track is available (May - August). Current racing format is
> Masters 30+, Women (all ages and abilities), Novice Women and Novice
> Masters
> (30+). Racing attendance varies but remains strong throughout the 4 months
> of summer racing. Record attendance was recorded in June 2007 with 175
> racers. Promoters - Eric C. 1990-93, Jim Pederson, 1994-95, Jim Anderson,
> 1996-present.
>
>
> 1996 Tuesday night series officially starts the first Tuesday after
> daylight savings, typically the first Tuesday in April and finishes up in
> September - 6 months of Tuesday nighters, over 20 race days! Format
> stabilizes with three races - Cat 4/5 (novice racing), Cat 3/4, and Cat
> 1/2/3. Distance ranges from 12 to 30 laps with between 3 and 8 hot-spot
> laps. Average attendance dips initially as a result of Monday night
> racing,
> but picks up again as the sport increases in popularity during the Lance
> Armstrong era. Attendance record set in April 2005 with 211 total riders.
> Promoter - Jeff Mitchem, 1996-present.
> bike7
>
> 2004 Cyclocross expands to PIR with the Cross Crusade Series.
> Culminates
> with US National Cyclo Cross Championships in Winter 2004-05.
>
>
> 2005 Short-track mountain bike racing series begins.
>
> 2007 With PIR seeking carbon offsets, emphasis on bicycles likely to
> increase. Looking forward to the future of bicycle racing at PIR!
>
> Learn more about bicycle racing at PIR! Check out:
> Oregon Bicycle Racing Association - www.obra.org
>
>
>
> Click Here for Historical Race Flyers:
> 1972 Delta Park Series -
> http://www.racemondaynight.com/images/PIR_1972.jpg
>
> 1974 Delta Park Series -
> http://www.racemondaynight.com/images/PIR_1974.jpg
>
>
> Compiled by Jim Anderson, Jeff Mitchem, and Candi Murray with assistance
> from all the past promoters mentioned above! Thanks to everyone that
> pitched
> in. Thanks to Del Scharffenberg for the historical flyers.
>
>
>
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>