Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2013

aspen7709 · 10-05-2012, 11:27 PM

Just got official notice from staff at Firebird raceway here in AZ that it WILL BE closed effective April 2013. No lease will be renewed. There are no solid plans as yet for a new facility. I guess it will be Tucson and Speedworld from here on out. If Speedworld can keep the sheriffs dept from closing them down.

http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/19...erage-drinking

Bernie Cunningham · 10-05-2012, 11:42 PM

Buggar !!!!

SStockDart · 10-06-2012, 01:20 AM

That really sucks, especially for us in Arizona.....I understand that the land that Firebird is on would be much more valuable for something else. When Firebird was built, it was "out in the country"....now it is surounded by casinos and homes. I hope someone invests in a new drag strip and/or Speedworld can get their dispute handled and then expand.

Jeff Lee · 10-06-2012, 02:05 AM

Ruins my weekend!

Rumor has it Charlie Allan (Firebird's owner) has land for a track. If so, he better get on it; about 6 months ago!

And I've said it before, Speed Worlds wild party atmosphere or attitude will not be tolerated by the locals (or the Sheriff).

Pat Cook · 10-06-2012, 01:14 PM

Speedworld needs another Bob Curly.

I really like that track.

BLAZER · 10-06-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat Cook

Speedworld needs another Bob Curly.

I really like that track.

Where is Sheriff "JOE" !

Belair 7548 · 10-06-2012, 08:23 PM

Maybe not all is lost for local racers in Arizona. We are talking (in my architecture firm) with a group that is considering a multi-motorsport complex here in AZ...........of course I can't say more and it is highly speculative. Actually, we've not heard from them in a while..........they've gone quiet so who knows, it could go either way as many of our architecture projects do.

I think there are some groups who understand the importance of motorsports as a business venture and the benefit in the west and Arizona. If they resurface again I'll let you know.

Jeff Lee · 10-06-2012, 11:27 PM

I was in the area of Luke Air Force Base today and there's a SCCA track that I've heard about but have never seen so I decided to drive by it. It's Arizona Motorsports Park @ 152nd Avenue & Camelback in Litchfield Park. Damn impressive track! They are at the tail-end of LAFB (for those that don't know, worlds largest Air Force fighter training base) runway. Plans take off and fly directly over this SCCA track. It was shut down in litigation for two years due to noise complaints! There is a large subdivision (Palm Valley) across the street; also under the flight path of F-16's! From what I understand, the track has a strictly enforced WOT DB level of 94 that is enforced. I was told a Ferrari or Lamborghini with stock exhaust would not pass. Gates open at 8 and no racing allowed until 9:00 A.M and racing stops at 4:00 P.M. to appease the neighbors.
I'm going to have to give the track a whirl with my SVT Focus someday soon. I've never done this & sounds like a fun way to kill 4 tires and 8 brake pads!

Back to the architects looking at a track, there's definitely a lot of cars in the Valley and surrounding states. If you drive to California there's a little spit of a town called Dateland on I-8. I'm told there is a Marine reserve field in the area which is only used for emergency landings (Marines use Yuma, AZ for fighter training). Every time I drive by there I think it would be a great spot for a drag strip to serve both southern California and Arizona. Just a thought...

Jeff Lee · 10-06-2012, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLAZER

Where is Sheriff "JOE" !

Sheriff Joe is the one who busted the party at Speed World!

Pat,
I grew up racing at Speed World back when it was Phoenix Raceway. Started in '78 or '79 after Beeline closed down. It's always been a great track in my opinion but I never liked it when it turned into Import night (as in ALL night) with DJ's, Bikini contests and mud / Jello wrestling. Now I like pretty girls just like everyone else here but I stayed after a race once to witness one of these events. To say it involves the dredges of society would be a complement. If track management can't see drugs and alcohol are part of the scene, they obviously have a blind eye.

Geerhead55 · 10-07-2012, 01:23 AM

I haven't seen a 2013 schedule yet,, but if Firebird is closing in April, then am I right in assuming there will be the one last national event there next year after Pomona as usual?
If so,, will you be out with the AMX, Jeff? Inquiring minds want to know!
Danny Durham

10-05-2012, 11:27 PM	#1
aspen7709 Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: sunny,az Posts: 165 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2013 Just got official notice from staff at Firebird raceway here in AZ that it WILL BE closed effective April 2013. No lease will be renewed. There are no solid plans as yet for a new facility. I guess it will be Tucson and Speedworld from here on out. If Speedworld can keep the sheriffs dept from closing them down. http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/19...erage-drinking

10-05-2012, 11:42 PM	#2
Bernie Cunningham Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 560 Likes: 45 Liked 52 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 Buggar !!!! __________________ Bernie Cunningham 7053 STK

10-06-2012, 01:20 AM	#3
SStockDart VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Arizona, Texan forever Posts: 1,176 Likes: 876 Liked 574 Times in 212 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 That really sucks, especially for us in Arizona.....I understand that the land that Firebird is on would be much more valuable for something else. When Firebird was built, it was "out in the country"....now it is surounded by casinos and homes. I hope someone invests in a new drag strip and/or Speedworld can get their dispute handled and then expand. __________________ Gary Hansen - SS/FA 4911, B/SA 4911

10-06-2012, 02:05 AM	#4
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 Ruins my weekend! Rumor has it Charlie Allan (Firebird's owner) has land for a track. If so, he better get on it; about 6 months ago! And I've said it before, Speed Worlds wild party atmosphere or attitude will not be tolerated by the locals (or the Sheriff). __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-06-2012, 01:14 PM	#5
Pat Cook Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 175 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 Speedworld needs another Bob Curly. I really like that track. __________________ 67 Ford Fairlane F/SA 749

10-06-2012, 08:23 PM	#7
Belair 7548 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tempe, Arizona Posts: 75 Likes: 3 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 Maybe not all is lost for local racers in Arizona. We are talking (in my architecture firm) with a group that is considering a multi-motorsport complex here in AZ...........of course I can't say more and it is highly speculative. Actually, we've not heard from them in a while..........they've gone quiet so who knows, it could go either way as many of our architecture projects do. I think there are some groups who understand the importance of motorsports as a business venture and the benefit in the west and Arizona. If they resurface again I'll let you know. __________________ Brad Vokes SS 7548

10-06-2012, 11:27 PM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 I was in the area of Luke Air Force Base today and there's a SCCA track that I've heard about but have never seen so I decided to drive by it. It's Arizona Motorsports Park @ 152nd Avenue & Camelback in Litchfield Park. Damn impressive track! They are at the tail-end of LAFB (for those that don't know, worlds largest Air Force fighter training base) runway. Plans take off and fly directly over this SCCA track. It was shut down in litigation for two years due to noise complaints! There is a large subdivision (Palm Valley) across the street; also under the flight path of F-16's! From what I understand, the track has a strictly enforced WOT DB level of 94 that is enforced. I was told a Ferrari or Lamborghini with stock exhaust would not pass. Gates open at 8 and no racing allowed until 9:00 A.M and racing stops at 4:00 P.M. to appease the neighbors. I'm going to have to give the track a whirl with my SVT Focus someday soon. I've never done this & sounds like a fun way to kill 4 tires and 8 brake pads! Back to the architects looking at a track, there's definitely a lot of cars in the Valley and surrounding states. If you drive to California there's a little spit of a town called Dateland on I-8. I'm told there is a Marine reserve field in the area which is only used for emergency landings (Marines use Yuma, AZ for fighter training). Every time I drive by there I think it would be a great spot for a drag strip to serve both southern California and Arizona. Just a thought... __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

10-07-2012, 01:23 AM	#10
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Official: Firebird International Raceway closing april 2 I haven't seen a 2013 schedule yet,, but if Firebird is closing in April, then am I right in assuming there will be the one last national event there next year after Pomona as usual? If so,, will you be out with the AMX, Jeff? Inquiring minds want to know! Danny Durham