In a shocking and unannounced move, the owners of Pittsburgh International Race Complex (PittRace) have announced today that the track property has been sold and will cease operations in December. While the news is vague as to WHAT exactly transpired. PittRace wasn't actively advertised for sale, and certainly is not a dying track and appears to have been making money. Opened in 2002 as BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, the 1.6 mile track filled a gap in Western Pennsylvania that was lacking for motorsports enthusiasts. The initial track's layout and size fit a need, but needed improvement and financial help. In 2010 the track filed for bankruptcy, and was purchased by Jim & Kathy Stout and renamed Pittsburgh International Race Complex. Major facility upgrades immediately commenced, including a new timing & scoring building, offices, pit garages and most notably a 1 mile addition to the track. This quickly took the facility to a world class standard and allowed PittRace to host series like SCCA, NASA, MotoAmerica, VSCCA, 1 Lap of America, GridLife, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and numerous other events.
While the sale price, purchaser, and track future now clearly lie in limbo tanks to the very vague information put out from the track. One thing is for sure the loss of PittRace is a major blow to the Western Pa region and will have a reach far greater than the immediate Beaver County / Wampum area.
It's really raising more questions than answers. And this is a story we intend to follow up on.
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