Good bye Firebird Drag Strip!

[Moparfiend]

Last NHRA Top Fuel Nats race in Phoenix ………. Was lucky to get in as they were sold out! Didn’t realize until I was standing in line. Guy behind me had a ticket and I got in!
So sorry the strip is closing. We have so few now here in the US. I am not sure but I believe this is the only one in the Phoenix metro?
Had a great time as I went by myself. Didn’t have to drag anyone and was able to move around the track.

1970 RR beating a mustang! Both went rather high in doing weelies!

Bye Firebird ……. Was good while it lasted.

 

[kramer]

Ya Phoenix has been bit pretty hard and has lost alot of racing due to developement and other things over the last decade or so. Back around the 2009 range they lost the 1/2 mile dirt track Manzanita Raceway around 2014 they lost the dragstrip and dirt short course around the Surprise area and pretty much in the last year they lost the dirt track and motorcycle course in Queencreek, the dirt track in Peoria area along with the Airport that was next to it and now Firebird/ Wildhorse racetrack. I think part of the answer in saving some of these areas from developements is car and off road people and campers need to be on city councels, and get into these government positions to help fight it off but its pretty tough to fight it when you have normal people that don't have the time and resources and your fighting people with deep pockets and connections that want the area you are recreating in. Very sad deal.

 

[Moparfiend]

Ya Phoenix has been bit pretty hard and has lost alot of racing due to developement and other things over the last decade or so. Back around the 2009 range they lost the 1/2 mile dirt track Manzanita Raceway around 2014 they lost the dragstrip and dirt short course around the Surprise area and pretty much in the last year they lost the dirt track and motorcycle course in Queencreek, the dirt track in Peoria area along with the Airport that was next to it and now Firebird/ Wildhorse racetrack. I think part of the answer in saving some of these areas from developements is car and off road people and campers need to be on city councels, and get into these government positions to help fight it off but its pretty tough to fight it when you have normal people that don't have the time and resources and your fighting people with deep pockets and connections that want the area you are recreating in. Very sad deal.

Yup I agree. It’s all about money. Developers and real estate folks control the city. Nothing we can do. I also see the same thing with all the shooting ranges! Not just here but in many states I’ve lived in. They were operating for many years and the city encroached on them and developers and real estate people want the land to build on. Folks complaining about noise even though the tracks or gun clubs were there first and bam they are gone………it keeps happening. Pretty soon all will be gone and all that will be left will be cell phones and electric cars and people who cant do **** for themselves……. I’m the only guy in the neighborhood who does his own work on my house and cars. I see nobody outside let alone in the garages. Its like complete desolation as everyone is inside on their phones watching tic toc.

 

[bearman]

Looks like Tucson going to be the only place to go or over to Vegas. Unless they add on to the Nascar track in Avondale which I don't see happening anytime soon.

 

[33 IMP]

Yep. We lost the only 1/4 mile track (at least, the only one WE could use) in L.A. area a few months ago, and now losing the 2 mile Nascar track that had the strip in the parking lot too.
I still haven't heard the reason for either closing. At least Wildhorse is closing for an absolutely essential reason. The world NEEDS another freeway off ramp!

 

[moparjohnny]

Yep. We lost the only 1/4 mile track (at least, the only one WE could use) in L.A. area a few months ago, and now losing the 2 mile Nascar track that had the strip in the parking lot too.
I still haven't heard the reason for either closing. At least Wildhorse is closing for an absolutely essential reason. The world NEEDS another freeway off ramp!

they want to use the land for some kind of overpass i saw on nhra a few weeks ago.we are loosing to many tracks nhra needs to do something to save some of these tracks,we lost the atlanta track 2 years ago for development.we do not have one its sad but money is the king.

 

[bandit67]

Young folks not into drag racing at all and us old farts dying out are adding to the loss of revenue to the sport nationwide. Saddens me greatly to watch the slow demise of my favorite passion.....

 

[moparmarks]

I fear that Bandimere in Denver is next.

 

[junior340]

I wish more strips were historical landmarks like our Firebird raceway.
We feel better about having that protection over it. I believe it is the first one to do this.

 

[Moparfiend]

I wish more strips were historical landmarks like our Firebird raceway.
We feel better about having that protection over it. I believe it is the first one to do this.

Historical landmarks would simply get plowed down when real estate folks see green.

You would think it’s in NHRA’s best interest to help but I guess they are happy with all the money they are making and can’t see or just don’t care about the ship sinking.

 

[QuickBpBp]

Hate to see that. Englishtown NJ is gone and rumor is ATCO in NJ is struggling and getting offers to become another business. I was worried when Maple Grove Raceway went up for sale.. Thankfully Kenny Koretsky bought it and now has Tasca Ford sponsorship. Otherwise it would be prime real estate for developing..

 

[HemiLane]

The Indians have been trying to pass the buck and say that the Wildhorse track is closing due to the freeway interchange, bull! ADOT has already confirmed that the interchange does not effect the track at all. The reservation already has plan renderings for a new hotel and casino, brings in a lot more money than the track ever will. Just like having a track on state leased land, having a track on an indian reservation is just a matter of time before it goes bye-bye.

 

[R413]

For those out of the area. The Phoenix (Chandler) track is Firebird International raceway

The 1/4 mile track in Boise Idaho, Eagle is the town, is also called Firebird raceway. It is family owned and operated since way back. A great place to race, very well runs and prepped.

Very popular in the area for spectators, and they have at least two big bracket races a year, Nightfire nationals in summer and the haloween classic. Also the NHRA division race ”The Ignitor” in the spring. These are well attended events and draw top racers from several states and Canadian provinces.

The track is 550 miles to Sacramento, and 500 miles to
Seattle. Not that far for a big event. I‘m not in their promotion department. LOL

 

[33 IMP]

The Indians have been trying to pass the buck and say that the Wildhorse track is closing due to the freeway interchange, bull! ADOT has already confirmed that the interchange does not effect the track at all. The reservation already has plan renderings for a new hotel and casino, brings in a lot more money than the track ever will. Just like having a track on state leased land, having a track on an indian reservation is just a matter of time before it goes bye-bye.

They must not have a bunch of land then.
Barona Indian res has an 1/8 MI strip, carved into the side of a hill. But they also have their casino and hotel, 10 miles away! (Neither of which particularly easy to get to). Doesn't seem to hurt revenue.
It wouldn't surprise me if someday Barona will be the Last strip in southern taxifornia.
Edit: didn't an Indian tribe BUY a strip to save it, in Washington state? (Or was it Oregon? )

 

[weedburner]

Spokane Valley Raceway closed a while back, now back from the dead owned by an Indian tribe and sanctioned by NHRA!

Grant

 

[Budnicks]

Wildhorse Pass, Chandler Az. Owned by an Indian tribe & casino
now too, that didn't help
sprawling housing encroachment probably too
& by a max-security prison

it's Chandler Az., not Phoenix

Was a lot more than just a/the dragstrip
had a road course & a dirt track (MX track) at one time
also IHBA boat drags too,
went there for the boat races, probably more times than cars
with my old neighbors, growing up
& them racing their Blown Fuel Flatbottom

I use to love going there when it was still winter here
90* days in Feb. sometimes, dry no rain (usually)
did a bunch of Super Chevy Sundays, or Worlds Fastest Street Cars
stuff back in the day there too

 

[Moparfiend]

Yup and I live in Chandler. I can hear the Top Fuel cars from my house. But not no more…. I don't if the whole complex is closing or just the strip. But if they are planning a big hotel and casino it’s all probably going away. I watched the road coarse and seen the race school there. Motorcycle races on a track out there. If everything goes that would make the strip loss that much more bitter.

 

[Nxcoupe]

Last NHRA Top Fuel Nats race in Phoenix ………. Was lucky to get in as they were sold out! Didn’t realize until I was standing in line. Guy behind me had a ticket and I got in!
So sorry the strip is closing. We have so few now here in the US. I am not sure but I believe this is the only one in the Phoenix metro?
Had a great time as I went by myself. Didn’t have to drag anyone and was able to move around the track.

1970 RR beating a mustang! Both went rather high in doing weelies!

Bye Firebird ……. Was good while it lasted.

View attachment 1440259

That's a road runner against a firebird, just fyi.

Damn shame all the tracks closing down for developers. Better use the lical track and fit that into your schedule and budget before you lose it. I am going every thurs and friday I can make this year.

 

[JackR]

There was a lot of talk on Sunday about A new track. At PIR or at the private road course track in Casa Grande. Hope that is true. meanwhile I’ll have to travel the 115 miles to the Tucson track.

 

[33 IMP]

I've got a friend in Wittmann. I'm hoping he'll get his car out to Firebird before it closes, and I get to see it. A small tire Malibu with a turboed stroker ls, on E85. His KB solid block procharged Avenger big tire car won't be ready.