Portland sticks with series

Champ Car President Dick Eidswick and Portland Commissioner of Parks and Recreation Jim Francesconi, along with community business leaders held a meeting in Portland today, where they reached an agreement that would keep the Champ Car tradition alive at the 1.969-mile permanent road course. They then announced that agreement in a press conference held on the steps of Portland City Hall.


"It has always been our position that we wanted to continue racing in Portland," said Eidswick. "The Portland market is very important to the series, our drivers enjoy the track and this past year's race showed the potential that this event has. We believe that a strong partnership between Champ Car, city officials and community business leaders will help us build strong events in Portland for years to come."

The arrangement would seem to be a victory for Champ Car, which had asked for a multi-year deal, while Francesconi (who operates the track on behalf of the city) had previously indicated he preferred a year-by-year arrangement to keep the option open for a possible deal with the IRL.