Pittsburgh International Race Complex
Pittsburgh International Race Complex (commonly known as Pitt Race) is an auto racing road course located in Wampum, Pennsylvania. Pitt Race hosts amateur and professional automobile, motorcycle, and karting events.
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| Location | 201 Pendale Road Wampum, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Time zone | UTC−5 (UTC−4 DST) |
| Coordinates | 40°50′56.314″N 80°20′31.772″W / 40.84897611°N 80.34215889°W |
| Owner | Jim & Kathy Stout (2011–present) |
| Broke ground | December 2001 |
| Opened | 1 July 2002 |
| Architect | Alan Wilson |
| Former names | BeaveRun Motorsports Complex (2002–2011) |
| Major events | Current: Trans-Am Series (2018, 2024) Atlantic Championship (2015–present) ChampCar Endurance Series (2014–present) PVGP Historics at Pitt Race (2004–present) Former: MotoAmerica Championship of Pittsburgh (2017–2023) F3 Americas (2018–2019) F4 USA (2018–2019) |
| Website | http://pittrace.com/ |
| Full Circuit (2015–present) | |
| Length | 2.780 miles (4.473 km) |
| Turns | 19 |
| Race lap record | 1:31.172 ( Keith Grant, Swift 016.a, 2020, Formula Atlantic) |
| MotoAmerica Circuit (2017–present) | |
| Length | 2.781 miles (4.475 km) |
| Turns | 21 |
| Race lap record | 1:40.550 ( Cameron Beaubier, Yamaha YZF-R1, 2020, Superbike) |
| Original North Circuit (2002–present) | |
| Length | 1.600 miles (2.575 km) |
| Turns | 8 |
| South Circuit (2015–present) | |
| Length | 1.200 miles (1.931 km) |
| Turns | 8 |
The track
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Pittsburgh International Race Complex offers three track configurations. The North track configuration is 1.600 mi (2.575 km) and the South track covers 1.200 mi (1.931 km). The full course is 2.780 mi (4.474 km) in length and combines both the North and South track. All tracks feature significant elevation change throughout and were designed to follow the natural terrain. Pitt Race hosts many different sports car series such as SCCA and NASA, as well as holding track days and open tests for both cars and motorcycles such as N2 Track Days.Ledger, Louise Carroll For The. "Transformation continues at former BeaveRun". Ellwood City Ledger. Retrieved 2017-06-14.</ref> Since 2017, the track has been host of the MotoAmerica Championship[1] The Tracks hosts a FIM Grade 1 License.[citation needed]
The track also runs a program called Total Vehicle Control (TVC). It provides instruction in situational awareness, driving dynamics, skid control, emergency braking, and accident avoidance techniques. The program is targeted at commercial and emergency vehicle drivers as well as individuals.[2]
The 0.82 mi (1.32 km) kart track was designed by Alan Wilson. It plays host to several major kart series including WKA and USPKS as well as featuring 9.5 hp rental karts.[3]
History
editThe idea for the track came from two area attorneys, who attracted local investors to assist in the funding for the facility.[4] The track broke ground in December 2001. It officially opened on July 1, 2002, as BeaveRun Motorsports Complex.[3] It included a 1.600 mi (2.575 km) road course, a 0.82 mi (1.32 km) kart track, and a six-acre skidpad used for driver training and autocross.[3] In 2004, work began on a one-mile addition to the main track with trees being cleared and plans drawn up, but the project was put on hold in 2006.[5] A 12,000 square-foot event center overlooking the North Track was also constructed at this time.[6]
In 2011, the track was bought by Jim and Kathy Stout, and re-branded as "Pittsburgh International Race Complex." A three-stage renovation of the facility began soon after. The South Track addition, which added 1.200 mi (1.931 km) of track, was the largest update to the facility and was completed in 2015. It can be run as its own circuit or run combined with the North Track. An expanded Vehicle Dynamics Area was also part of the facility renovations. Both the North and South Tracks were repaved in 2017. A new timing and scoring building, located on pit lane of the north track, was also completed in 2017.[7]
Lap records
editAs of June 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Pittsburgh International Race Complex are listed as:
| Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Circuit: 4.473 km (2015–present)[8] | ||||
| Formula Atlantic | 1:31.172[9][10] | Keith Grant | Swift 016.a | 2020 Pittsburgh Atlantic Championship round |
| Formula Regional | 1:33.163[11] | Dakota Dickerson | Ligier JS F3 | 2019 Pittsburgh F3 Americas round |
| TA1 | 1:38.509[12] | Paul Menard | Ford Mustang Trans-Am | 2024 Pittsburgh Trans-Am round |
| Formula 4 | 1:41.545[13] | Joshua Car | Crawford F4-16 | 2018 Pittsburgh F4 United States round |
| TA2 | 1:43.634[14] | Rafa Matos | Ford Mustang Trans-Am | 2024 Pittsburgh Trans-Am round |
| MotoAmerica Circuit: 4.475 km (2017–present)[8] | ||||
| Superbike | 1:40.550[15] | Cameron Beaubier | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 2020 Pittsburgh MotoAmerica round |
| Supersport | 1:43.021[16] | Garrett Gerloff | Yamaha YZF-R6 | 2017 Pittsburgh MotoAmerica round |
Gallery
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Datsun 240Z at Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix -
WKA Race on the Wilson Circuit -
Detailed Geometry Track Map of Pitt Race -
Steel City AutoX at Pitt Race
References
edit- ^ "Championship of Pittsburgh". MotoAmerica. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- ^ "Beaver County's Pitt Race 'is like driving school on steroids'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
- ^ a b c Curti, Chuck. "Motorsports facility promises to stimulate area driving enthusiasts and local economy". Timesonline.com. Retrieved 20 June 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Tracks For The Little Guy: Designer Alan Wilson Focuses On The Club Level". Autoweek. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- ^ "Road course expansion in works at BeaveRun". Timesonline.com. Retrieved 2017-08-03.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "BeaveRun racetrack ready to proceed with expansion". Timesonline.com. Retrieved 2017-08-03.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Ledger, Louise Carroll For The. "Transformation continues at former BeaveRun". Ellwood City Ledger. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
- ^ a b "Pittsburgh International Race Complex - Racing Circuits". Racingcircuits.info. 4 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
- ^ "Formula Atlantic Track Records". Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "FRP at PIRC in June 2020 Atlantic Etc. Provisional Race 1 Results" (PDF). 20 June 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
- ^ "F3 Champ. Rd 6/7/8 & F4 Champ. Rd 4/5/6 F3 Americas Round 7 Race (35:00 Time) started at 9:04:17" (PDF). 23 June 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "2024 Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli - Pitt Race International Race Complex - June 7th—9th - Round 5 - Official Race Results" (PDF). 9 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "2018 F4 United States Championship powered by Honda PittRace - Round 11 Official Race Result" (PDF). 5 August 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "2024 Trans Am Championship Presented by Pirelli - CUBE 3 Architecture TA2 Series, presented by Pirelli - Pitt Race International Race Complex - June 7th—9th - Round 6 - Official Race Results" (PDF). 9 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
- ^ "2020 Motoamerica Superbikes at Pittsburgh HONOS Superbike Race 2 (17 Laps) started at 15:15:54" (PDF). 8 September 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
- ^ "2017 Championship of Pittsburgh Supersport & Superstock 600 Supersport & Superstock 600 Race 2" (PDF). 27 August 2017. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
External links
edit- PittRace.com - Official site of Pittsburgh International Race Complex