Formula E Race Adds to Impressive Slate of Premier Motorsports at Portland INternational Raceway This Summer — Sport Oregon Voices

All-electric, Formula 1-affiliated racing series selects Portland as only U.S. stop in 2023

It was already shaping up to be an incredible summer at Portland International Raceway (PIR). But with this past week’s news that Formula E is coming to Portland in June, area race enthusiasts have yet another premier event to circle on their calendars.

On Feb. 27, city officials announced a finalized agreement with racing promoter Green Savoree Portland to bring the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship racing series to Portland on June 24. The Portland E-Prix – the only Formula E event to be held in the United States this year – will take place at PIR between the NASCAR Xfinity Series Pacific Office Automation 147 event weekend (June 2-3) and the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Grand Prix of Portland weekend, to be held Sept. 1-3.

The Formula E race adds to a building resume of events that further establishes Portland and PIR as a premier motorsports racing outpost for the Pacific Northwest, while at the same time bringing substantial economic benefits to the area. It wasn’t that long ago that PIR – a city-owned road course opened in 1960 – was mostly used for local racing events and gatherings. But now it is realizing its full potential once again as a community asset that has become a major economic driver for the region by attracting major, spectator-driven races to go along with the participant events it has traditionally hosted. 

Officials estimate that, between the three racing events this summer, north of $35 million in economic impact will be generated for Portland and the surrounding area. When you add this summer’s racing events to an ever-increasing roster of major events being attracted to the city, Portland continues to be an emerging destination for major sporting events of all types.

In many ways, it’s hard to imagine a better place in the United States for this race. As an all-electric racing series that falls under the umbrella of Formula 1, Formula E is on the front foot of electric racing technology, while Oregon has long been a leader in environmental consciousness and sustainability. As more than a mere racing series, Formula E represents a race towards the future of sustainability with its all-electric cars designed to offer the familiar thrills of high-speed motorsports while at the same time combatting air pollution.

As part of the June 24 race at PIR, the new Gen-3 Formula E race car will make its debut. The new car is designed to be the fastest, lightest, most powerful and efficient electric race car ever built.

Beyond the race, itself, the event presents opportunities for a unique intersection of top-caliber motorsports and those in the leadership positions and the business community that have like-minded initiatives when it comes to sustainability.

“It also gives local leadership and companies that have significant sustainability stories – both present and future – a platform to elevate or amplify what they’re doing,” said Jim Etzel, CEO of Sport Oregon. “That is another major benefit of this racing event.”

The 2023 Formula E schedule features 16 rounds, with the Portland E-Prix representing the 12th race of the season. To date, races have been held in Mexico City, Diriyah, Hyderabad and Cape Town. Up next, the series heads to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a race on March 25. Portland joins an impressive array of top international cities to host the all-electric series, including Berlin, Monaco, Jakarta, Rome and London.

National-level racing returned to PIR in 2018, when the Grand Prix of Portland relaunched. This year’s Grand Prix of Portland takes place Sept. 1-3, and tickets are available here. Last year saw the return of NASCAR to Portland, in the form of the Pacific Office Automation 147. The race marked the first visit to the Pacific Northwest by a NASCAR national racing series since 2000. This year’s Pacific Automation 147 will be held June 2-3, with tickets available here.

For More Information on the ABB FIA Formula E World Championships Portland E-Prix
While additional details surrounding the Portland E-Prix will be available soon, fans can register to receive priority ticket access here.