Will Host Sports Business Career Talk at INDYCAR Event
Pacific Office Automation (POA), the largest independent office equipment dealer in the U.S., announced that it has joined the sponsor lineup of the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, taking place September 1-3, 2023. The Labor Day weekend event at Portland International Raceway (PIR) features the penultimate race of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES season and includes 10 total races from five different racing series across the three days.
The 2023 BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland marks the 29th running of this event, adding to the rich history of open-wheel racing in the Rose City. The NTT INDYCAR SERIES headlines the weekend and takes the green flag on Sunday, Sept. 3, in a late-season race that could decide and finalize the championship. The series points leader after the completion of the past four Portland events (2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022) has gone on to claim the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship. The points leader is currently Alex Palou, who has dominated the 2023 season thus far.
“Our athletic sponsorships stem from the correlation between the culture at POA and what it takes to be a great athlete. We embrace accountability, challenge and passion–all values that are crucial in racing,” said Doug Pitassi, president and CEO of Pacific Office Automation. “The Portland Grand Prix sponsorship gives us an opportunity to share with young people why those qualities are so important in any career. Our friends at Green Savoree are helping to facilitate a fantastic experience for local youth to see those values in action in an athletic environment. We hope this experience encourages these kids to keep competing and excites them about what their career could hold.”
Sports Business Career Event
In partnership with Green Savoree Racing Promotions and Sport Oregon, Pacific Office Automation will be hosting local students from Portland Public Schools for a free talk about careers in the sports industry for youth whose main interest is sports. 75 teenagers have been invited to learn about the business and mechanical sides of racing, tour the pits and meet drivers. The event will take place at PIR on Friday, September 1 at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
The aim is to show youth the opportunities available in professional sports without competing directly in events. Only 7% of students move from high school sports on to participate in the NCAA, and fewer than 2% of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professionals. The talk strives to show children and young adults who are passionate about sports that there are other sports-related careers that are incredibly interesting, rewarding and need specific training and skill sets.
“We are thrilled to partner with Pacific Office Automation to immerse these Portland Public Schools students into the world of motosports,” said Jerry Jensen, vice president and general manager of Green Savoree Portland, LLC, which owns and operates the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland. “Their eyes will be opened at PIR to all the terrific possibilities that exist for a future career in this spectacular industry!”
History of Portland Racing
PIR, the home of the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, is a 1.964-mile, 12-turn permanent road course that opened in 1960 to host sports car and drag racing. It is owned by the City of Portland and operated under Portland Parks & Recreation. The 268-acre property hosts over 550 events annually and has been the site of many memorable NTT INDYCAR SERIES races.
The Father’s Day Grand Prix of Portland race of 1986 featured Mario Andretti passing his son Michael on the last lap and winning by 0.070 of a second. The closest three-way road racing finish in INDYCAR SERIES history took place at PIR in 1997 when the top three spanned just 0.055 of a second. After an 11-year absence, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returned to PIR in 2018 and has resumed racing at the track regularly under the guidance of Green Savoree Racing Promotions.
Ticket prices start as low as $25 for single-day general admission and $70 for single-day grandstand seats. For all ticket pricing and general information about the
BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland, visit raceportland.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page @PortlandGP or follow updates on Twitter @Race_Portland and Instagram at @Race_Portland using #PortlandGP.
About Green Savoree Racing Promotions
Green Savoree Racing Promotions (GSRP) is an Indianapolis-based motorsports event ownership and management company whose subsidiaries own, operate and promote race properties in Lexington, Ohio, home of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and The Mid-Ohio School, Portland, Ore., St. Petersburg, Fla., and Toronto, Ontario.
Green Savoree Portland, LLC also promotes NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Pacific Office Automation 147 event at PIR (June 2-3, 2023) and its affiliates own and operate three additional INDYCAR SERIES races: Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding (March 3-5, 2023), The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid (June 30-July 2, 2023) and Honda Indy Toronto (July 14-16, 2023). More information about the company, its subsidiaries and these events is available on the event websites at gpstpete.com, hondaindy.com, midohio.com and raceportland.com.
About Pacific Office Automation
Founded in 1976, Pacific Office Automation (POA) is a privately held office technology company headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. POA has more than 1,300 employees across eight states. It has grown to be the largest authorized dealer of high-quality printer manufacturers, and it commits to offering custom office solutions, state-of-the-art technology and award-winning customer service to customers and the community. POA provides managed print services, enterprise level IT services, software, office equipment and unified communications all over the United States. Learn more at www.pacificoffice.com.
