Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Looks like it will be the last. Firebird is done after this season. Well it will be done this April.
http://www.azfamily.com/sports/Fireb...185527242.html
I am not going to miss this race. It will be quite a wile before I will get to see any of you guys race again if I do not have a sportsman event close by in my backyard.
I see it is going to be the overpriced double header again. But i will be there. This has been my favorate raceing event to go to for many years now.
So i hope a bunch of you are goign to be there. You all put on such a great show, and I thank you so much for it.
Matt The "STOCK" fan.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

I hope you read the article in it's entirety:

...While the Firebird Raceway owner is bowing out, the NHRA is hoping to keep the track as its Valley home beyond this year.
“NHRA is currently working with the Gila River Indian Community to continue to deliver the excitement of NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing to our passionate fans in Phoenix and the state of Arizona beyond 2013,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “Based on our discussions with the Gila River Indian Community, we are very optimistic that the venue will be on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule in 2014....

There was a full length article in the 01/04/2013 Arizona Republic with quotes from NHRA about the proposed continuation beyond Charlie Allen.

And I'm trying pretty darn hard to make the D71 race following the National event. I see no reason why I will not be there. Unless the engine blows up on the dyno and the car catches fire...typical excuses!

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

And I'm trying pretty darn hard to make the D71 race following the National event. I see no reason why I will not be there. Unless the engine blows up on the dyno and the car catches fire...typical excuses![/QUOTE]

if that happens try to save the headers ,there's a guy looking for a set to run in his 71 Penske trans am car in the Houston tx area gmonde

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

If the car catches on fire, I'll save the headers. They would look nice framed...or a coffee table

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Jeff, What car are you going to be running? Stk? SS? What combo

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Will there be any new Chevy COPO race cars at this race?
Sure would like to see one!

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

heard from a local that the huge, permanent stands that faced the boat racing lake are all gone, yes/no ??

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Bernie, They were there yesterday...Unless someone removed them last night..
I'm waiting for the pic I sent myself.


Get you magnifying glass out!

Had to downsize it three times

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Same old 390, 4-speed '70 AMX. C/S, D/S or maybe even SS/H. I'm leaning to C/S. Which class will you be in and which would have the most cars would be my choice.
C/S would be no ballast and I think that would work but not really sure at this point. D/S would be same ballast as I used to run so I know that works. Geez, I just hope I remember how to drive!

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Bernie, I was there yesterday and all the bleachers are still there.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Sundstrom to leave Phoenix for Spokane in April
Raceway Investments LLC, has announced that Chuck Sundstrom has been hired to be the Operations and Facility Director for Spokane County Raceway starting April 15, 2013. He will be working hand in hand with the 12-member board that presently manages the drag strip, road course, and the half-mile super oval track.

Sundstrom has been working at Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, Az., as the Facility Manager for 12 years. Before that he ran his own automotive shop for 21 years. Sundstrom will finish out his duties at Firebird on April 5. That track will close in April, as the lease will not be extended on the Gila River Indian Community property after 30 years. Sundstrom will then head north to Washington State and start work for the Lucas Oil Racing series coming to Spokane May 24-25.

In addition Curtis Orvik, long time oval track racer in the Late Model class and resident of Spokane has also joined Spokane County Raceway as the new Director for the Super Oval Track. [01/03/13]

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Hemmings Motor News today:

From several sources, the word emerged late Thursday that Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Arizona, would shut down in April. From sources close to the situation, the real story appears to be more complicated and encouraging than that. The root issue is that longtime Firebird president Charlie Allen could not reach terms for a new lease with the Gila River Indian Community, which owns the land.

Firebird has been the longtime home of the NHRA’s Arizona Nationals, next scheduled for February 24. Word of the possible closure spread fast, and Friday editions of the Arizona Republic reported that top-level NHRA executives were optimistic that racing would continue at Firebird despite the lease impasse with Allen. The newspaper quoted NHRA President Tom Compton as saying, “Based on our discussions with the Gila River Indian Community, we are very optimistic that the venue will be on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule in 2014.”

The Firebird complex also includes a lake for drag boat races and an off-road race course. Performance oil magnate Forrest Lucas, who built the off-road track, was quoted as saying the community would allow him to operate both that track and the lake. Firebird is also home to the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Jeff,
Do you know much about the future for Speedworld? Last I heard it was on it's way out. Phoenix without a dragstrip. Very Sad.
BTW Jeff. I work up there in Anthem. At the Horizon Irrigation just down the road south from the Wal Mart.
I hope to see you at the races.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

From what i heard is some government official told the decisions maker to make changes to the facility'and the decision maker said he would if he could get a long term lease . Now i heard that the decision maker has 18 months left on the present lease , not sure what is the present situation is now

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Is Charlie going to get way with rape on the crew pass again this year, Last year i was told it was $60.00 x 2 and they made you purchase both. If you ran the first one you could not puchase them separately. So to crew for four days was $120.00, that is Bull Sh*&^% Can't the Division office do something about this???

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

No surprises here...
This is how the tracks make money from Divisionals....
NO SPECTATORS.
You've got to bang the racer gate..hard.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

No way to run a business=busness closing!

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

I'll be at the D7 opener(s), and am glad they're just a little over 1mth away!

Jeff, I hope what I saw on our Channel 12 (Cox Cable) News is correct...they said on their nightly news, that the track isn't shutting down in April after-all, and that the only major change is Charlie Allen leaving. They gave this news clip about 25 seconds of coverage, and showed some bracket cars in action during the coverage. They spoke of Tom Compton talking with the Gila River Indian community about keeping the track going...this was on the 10pm NBC news either Thursday Dec.27, 2012, or Jan. 3, 2013.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Just try to get a motel room that week !!!!
It's the OPENING OF BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING.........been there done THAT !!
Every room in town will be taken !

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

By Michelle Ye Hee Lee The Republic | azcentral.com Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:43 AM

A popular northwest Valley racetrack likely will shut down after years of disputes with state and county regulators, the latest resulting in a cease-and-desist order this month by Maricopa County.

The county issued its order after a hearing officer found several violations of county building codes, including the erection of several structures at the track without proper permits. The county levied a $50,000 fine and a daily non-compliance fine of $750 that was to begin accruing this week.

Meanwhile, the Arizona State Land Department in December canceled the lease allowing Speedworld to operate on state trust land. Cancellation came after the track failed to pay its annual rent and comply with insurance requirements.

“Between the county and the state, yes, this has shut me down — we will be closed,” said Dan Matthews, owner of Speedworld. “I would say we will not last past June.”

Matthews and State Land Department officials declined to comment further, citing pending litigation. Matthews sued the county in August, arguing that it has no regulatory authority over state land or activities there. The next court hearing is scheduled for Feb.1.

A model-airplane airstrip and a paintball park already have closed at the Speedworld property, which is also used for off-road truck, motocross, and slot- and sports-car racing.

Matthews signed a State Land Department lease in 2004 allowing him to operate his racetrack on the 344-acre property. The lease agreement requires Speedworld to be in compliance with “all applicable federal, state, county and municipal laws, rules and regulations.” Failure to obtain or losing applicable governmental approval would constitute a breach of the lease, according to the agreement.

Matthews’ dispute with Maricopa County began in 2006 when he applied for a county permit to install electrical lines. County officials accused him of building beyond the limits of Speedworld’s original county special-use permit. He was required to file for a new permit. In 2009, the county opened a compliance-violation case against Speedworld.

Matthews was fined at a county zoning hearing earlier this month, and ordered to cease operations. The $750 daily fine applies until Speedworld ceases operations or gets a new special-use permit.

Since Matthews took over the Speedworld lease, he built additions and structures without permits, including a racetrack, an observation tower, an off-road racing expansion, a paintball fighter park and a bleacher structure for 5,000 to 7,000 spectators, according to the county zoning hearing officer’s report.

Matthews also did grading and paving work without an engineered drainage plan or permits, according to the report.

The potential closing of Speedworld has been a hot topic in the Valley’s racing community, several motocross racers said during open practice on a recent Sunday afternoon.

“I’ve been hearing it from everyone. Everyone’s pissed off it’s closing,” said Ryan McDanald, who has been riding at Speedworld three times a week for six years with his sister and his friends.

McDanald said Speedworld is his preferred track to ride his motorcycle because of the quality of dirt and lighting that allows users to ride safely at night.

With racetracks closing around the state, alternative locations are limited for motocross riders, said Jay McGuigan, who has been riding at Speedworld about twice a week with his 9-year-old son, who also races.

“We’d have to ride in the desert,” McGuigan said. “We’d have to ride in private property ... We’ll do it and we’ll pay the tickets.”

Surprise City Councilman Skip Hall said some state legislators and the Surprise Regional Chamber of Commerce met last week to discuss ways to keep Speedworld open.

Speedworld hosts several statewide races a year. Matthews said previously that the racetrack brings in about $1million a year and draws event visitors to Surprise and Wittmann.

Hotels and restaurants are worried about the revenue they would lose without the races, Hall said. Hotel representatives are working on an estimate to quantify the loss in revenue, he said.

“It’s going to have a significant impact on the city of Surprise,” Hall said.

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Dan Matthews Highway Patrol car





Anything for a bump

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

wow I just saw the Stacking dates on Tuesday the 19th two days before tech ? Guess what will happen on that date if the usual way of stacking is not done ( in a field near the track) a wreck for sure as there will be around 250 cars or so all waiting on the public highway which is very busy in the mornings with people going to work not a good move in my opinion it worked very well doing stacking in a adjacent field for the Racers> oh I bet the Pros will get to park their rigs in that field now while the The payers (Sportsman) will have to be on their own This is not a good move someone has got to have common sense . NHRA pays thousands of dollars to advertise for racers to come to race then when we get there they say no you have to wait on us wow it would be better to pit the racers very early as then this would be orderly and not a cluster which it will be as it is not my first time as I am as someone said I am a veteran racer LOL . everyone needs to e-mail the Division direstor with advice on what to do no need to complain unless you have a solution to early parking lol at me

Re: Who's coming to the Div 7 Opener at Firebird?
 

Wait I have another idea LOL at me . There is a Casino near the track have a security guard there parking all the rigs in the parking lot starting on Friday the 15th . This guard will have numbers for each rig when they get there and on The date NHRA wants to bring everyone in a NHRA person can take ten rigs in at a time and park them in the pits .

The results of this is this
1: The racers will be happy( Paying Customers)
2: The casino will be happy( Potential customers )
3: NHRA knows but I think this would solve a lot of potential problems (making racers happy)
4: the personnel parking in the pits will be happy (less stress parking on them)
5: There would no potential accidents on the public Highway, it does not matter who is liable everyone will get sued ( no lawsuits)


Now if it were me I would park anyone who shows up on Friday the 15th in The pits no parking from one place to another any more . The track should be ready early this is not their first rodeo, they should be ready to serve their customers as best they can or soon no customers