Pittsburgh International Race Complex is a favorite destination of motorsports fans in Western Pennsylvania. Located just 45 minutes northwest of downtown Pittsburgh, “Pitt Race” is tucked into the scenic rolling hills of Wampum, Pennsylvania. The 427-acre facility features three track configurations for race cars, sports cars and motorcycles, plus kart racing, driver training and autocross amenities.

Pitt Race Track Feature: History

The idea for a track came about in 1998, when two local attorneys and motorsports enthusiasts, Tim Silbaugh and Tom Wettach, met and started discussing their love of racing. Soon the pair found 40 individual investors and secured additional financing for the building of a track.

The resulting track was originally dubbed BeaveRun Motorsports Complex, due to its closeness to the borough of Big Beaver in northern Beaver County and the nearby Beaver River. Construction broke ground in December 2001, and the track opened July 1, 2002, with the 1.6 mile North Track road course, a 0.82 mile kart track, and a six-acre dry skid pad for driver training and autocross events.

BeaveRun’s kart track was designed by famed track designer Alan Wilson. When the track first opened, it attracted interest across the region, bringing new jobs and race fans. In 2004, BeaveRun began work on expansions, including an event center and South Track. However, plans were put on hold in 2006.

In 2011, BeaveRun was bought by two racing industry veterans, Jim and Kathy Stout, and renamed Pittsburgh International Race Complex. As accomplished Dodge Viper SRT racers, the Stouts understood the track’s potential, investing $6 million in a multi-stage renovation. The updates added 1.2 miles of new track and a 12,000 square-foot event center in 2015. The tracks were repaved and a new timing and scoring building was added in 2017.

Pitt Race Track Feature: Fun Facts

• The North Track’s 1.6-mile course and the South Track’s 1.2-mile course can be ran independently or combined into a 2.78-mile full course.
• The main track at Pittsburgh International Race Complex follows the land’s natural rolling terrain and features 19 corners with significant changes in elevation.
• The complex’s kart track was originally designed by famed track designer Alan Wilson, who was won over by Tim Silbaugh and Tom Wettach’s planning and enthusiasm.
• The skid pad amenity offers specialized safety training for first responders as well as drift control and autocross training for enthusiasts.
• Pitt Race is in a prime location, just a short drive from the major centers of Pittsburgh and Cleveland and within 500 miles of almost half of the U.S. population.
• Pitt Race owners Jim and Kathy Stout also run another well-known track, Virginia International Raceway (VIR).
• Additional facility amenities at Pitt Race include garages, paved paddocks, concessions and onsite fueling stations.
• Pitt Race has hosted numerous regional and national events, including NASA and SCCA, and since 2017, it has been a host of the MotoAmerica Championship circuit.

Events at Pittsburgh International Race Complex are always exciting. Find a complete schedule of upcoming events at Pitt Race. And as always, ensure you and your car are protected during track day events with insurance from Lockton Motorsports. Find the policy that fits your needs.