Rose Cup Races Event Preview

For over 60 years, the Rose Cup Races have represented the best in local amateur racing and big-league professional sports car racing in America. The Rose Cups are the longest-running annual race west of the Mississippi River, and this year, we’re showcasing the current champions of amateur racing in the Rose City and across the Pacific Northwest.

The Best of Northwest Racing

The 2024 Rose Cup Races will showcase the finest of regional amateur racing in six different race groups:

The Rose Cup Race includes the fastest and most powerful racecars in the Pacific Northwest. Drivers give everything they’ve got to win this one and go down in history as one of Portland’s elite champions.

Late Model Stock Cars return to deliver a taste of America’s most popular and famous racing cars to the Rose Cup event. With substantial prize money up for grabs and the top 5 finishers of getting a free entry in Sunday’s Rose Cup Feature Race, this group is sure to put on an exciting show.

American GT Challenge Cars come straight from the professional racing ranks to put on a show of power and technology. These are purpose-built, powerful machines designed to race on road courses like Portland International Raceway. These ultra-fast machines are making their first appearance at the Rose Cup Races, and many will also enter the Rose Cup race itself.

Small/Mid Bore Production Cars are familiar models from modern and vintage brands like Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Ford, and Toyota, all adapted for affordable racing. These are inexpensive cars with loads of potential, and they’ve been the backbone of the Rose Cup Races for decades.

Spec Miata is sure to be one of the best races of the weekend. Fresh from their appearance with the NASCAR Xfinity Series in June, our local Spec Miata drivers will deliver an all-out battle for the win in identically prepared Mazda Miata sports cars.

Spec Racer Ford is SCCA’s leading race group. Spec Racer Ford cars are identical, purpose-built racing machines with factory-sealed engines. It takes both talent and skill to get ahead of the pack in one of these cars.

The Wemme Trophy Vintage Race showcases the best of yesterday’s racecars. Take a trip down memory lane to see how the great Rose Cup races of the past are still racing today. One driver from the race will be awarded the Wemme Trophy, signifying the spirit of vintage racing.
All race groups will be on track several times each day, so you won’t miss any of the great racing action at this year’s 63rd annual Rose Cup Races.

The Rose Cup Races weekend features practice, qualifying, and racing on Saturday, July 13, and a full day of racing on Sunday, July 14. Gates open at 7:30 am daily, with cars on course by 9:00 am Saturday and 10 am Sunday, and running until 6:00 pm on Saturday, and about 4:00 pm on Sunday.