Firebird International Raceway to close in April 2013

[On The Inside]

Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix has been officially notified that its lease on the Gila River Indian Community property will not be extended or renewed.

“After almost 30 years, it’s incredibly sad to know that we are looking at the end of Firebird International Raceway,” said Charlie Allen, who opened the facility in 1983. “But let me tell you, it’s been a heck of a great ride.”

Allen said that currently there are no concrete plans to build a new facility elsewhere, and he doesn’t know what will happen to the property after the Raceway’s exit in April of 2013.

“There has been some talk about the community utilizing the facility as a motorsports venue moving forward, and we have recently been made aware that they have made contact with several sanctioning bodies and promoters that we currently work with,” said Allen. “Beyond that, we really can’t comment.”


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[Hellbent]

So...the property owners are going to kick out the guys who built the business and try to take it over for themselves is what I'm reading there.

[Ratickle]

You aren't the only one thinking that way...

By Cassondra Strande

The Arizona Republic-12 News Breaking News Team

Thu Jan 3, 2013 12:57 PM

Firebird International Raceway will likely continue to operate as a sanctioned National Hot Road Association racing facility after the current lease expires, officials said Thursday morning.

Raceway officials had said Wednesday that their tracks will be closing in April.

After three decades of ownership by Charlie Allen, the lease between him and the Gila River Indian Community will expire and not be renewed after 2013.

However, the NHRA is working with the Gila River Indian Community to continue to bring NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing to the Valley after this season, said Tom Compton, NHRA president.

“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,” Compton said.

The raceway is located on Maricopa Road near Interstate 10 on the Gila River Indian Reservation. The last event to be held for the 2013 season is scheduled for April.

Negotiations between Allen and the Gila River Indian Community had been ongoing since at least March 2010. A news release from the raceway office Wednesday said the negotiations concluded, denying the raceway and extension or renewal of the property lease beyond this season.

Allen said in the release there were “no concrete plans to build a new facility elsewhere, and that it is unknown what will happen to the property after Firebird Raceway’s exit in April of 2013.”

“It’s incredibly sad to know that we are looking at the end of Firebird International Raceway,” Allen continued in the release. “But let me tell you, it’s been a heck of a great ride.”

Now the raceway staff is focusing on fulfilling the 2013 season.

Events that include the National Hot Rod Association’s 2013 Arizona Nationals to be held in February and the Napa Auto Parts Firebird Final Event Spectacular in March.

In February 2012, The Republic reported Allen was studying a new location for the racetrack closer to Casa Grande, one that could include a road course and lake for drag boats.

Though, Allen said in 2012, that would virtually eliminate the 2014 season, as the facility wouldn’t be open until 2015. He expected to have a decision on the other location by February 2013.

Allen could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday morning.

In 2010, the raceway under went considerable repairs after two drag-racing crashes. The cost was estimated to exceed more than $200,000.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/20130103firebird-likely-to-continue-as-hotrod-racing-facility-abrk.html?nclick_check=1

[Buoy]

Mixed theories out here.
Firebird is only 1/2 hr away from me.
Rumor is the lease is not being renewed, but, someone else may step in and lease the land...
Or,
Suburbia has pushed close to that area, and the land may be more valuable for residential and shopping.

[rampgirl]

There have been more rumors about this over the last year or so it ain't even funny.

[Ratickle]

Going Strong Still....



Some nice speeds and times!!

NHRA Pairings Saturday at Firebird International Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.

By The Associated Press

Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Saturday.

Top Fuel
1. Doug Kalitta, 3.733 seconds, 329.02 mph vs. 16. Spencer Massey, 3.874, 292.84. 2. Antron Brown, 3.765, 318.77 vs. 15. Terry McMillen, 3.872, 320.51. 3. Tony Schumacher, 3.768, 325.37 vs. 14. Sidnei Frigo, 3.866, 316.60. 4. David Grubnic, 3.783, 321.27 vs. 13. Brittany Force, 3.831, 321.81. 5. Clay Millican, 3.810, 323.66 vs. 12. Morgan Lucas, 3.820, 319.22. 6. Khalid alBalooshi, 3.811, 315.86 vs. 11. Bob Vandergriff, 3.818, 321.88. 7. Leah Pruett, 3.812, 312.64 vs. 10. Shawn Langdon, 3.815, 319.90. 8. Brandon Bernstein, 3.813, 305.22 vs. 9. Larry Dixon, 3.814, 320.74. Did Not Qualify: 17. Steve Torrence, 3.883, 308.00. 18. Mike Strasburg, 3.984, 300.46.

Funny Car
1. Johnny Gray, Dodge Charger, 4.034, 314.46 vs. 16. Robert Hight, Ford Mustang, 4.321, 271.79. 2. Matt Hagan, Charger, 4.062, 311.20 vs. 15. Phil Burkart, Chevy Impala, 4.295, 282.95. 3. Courtney Force, Mustang, 4.064, 315.71 vs. 14. Todd Lesenko, Charger, 4.245, 300.80. 4. Cruz Pedregon, Toyota Camry, 4.067, 308.00 vs. 13. Jeff Arend, Charger, 4.173, 302.48. 5. Ron Capps, Charger, 4.081, 308.35 vs. 12. Tony Pedregon, Camry, 4.169, 268.65. 6. John Force, Mustang, 4.100, 312.64 vs. 11. Alexis DeJoria, Camry, 4.157, 303.09. 7. Bob Tasca III, Mustang, 4.100, 307.37 vs. 10. Jack Beckman, Charger, 4.139, 288.27. 8. Tim Wilkerson, Mustang, 4.110, 305.01 vs. 9. Del Worsham, Camry, 4.126, 303.30. Did Not Qualify: 17. Terry Haddock, 4.584, 232.63. 18. Jeff Diehl, 4.917, 163.55.

Pro Stock
1. Mike Edwards, Chevy Camaro, 6.498, 213.13 vs. 16. Steve Kent, Pontiac GXP, 6.638, 210.21. 2. V. Gaines, Dodge Avenger, 6.529, 212.63 vs. 15. Larry Morgan, Ford Mustang, 6.633, 210.50. 3. Jason Line, Camaro, 6.535, 213.03 vs. 14. Deric Kramer, Avenger, 6.624, 209.43. 4. Greg Anderson, Camaro, 6.536, 212.56 vs. 13. Matt Hartford, Avenger, 6.614, 211.73. 5. Allen Johnson, Avenger, 6.542, 212.03 vs. 12. Chris McGaha, Avenger, 6.582, 210.90. 6. Jeg Coughlin, Avenger, 6.544, 211.36 vs. 11. Rodger Brogdon, Camaro, 6.578, 210.70. 7. Erica Enders-Stevens, Chevy Cobalt, 6.555, 211.93 vs. 10. Shane Gray, Camaro, 6.568, 210.57. 8. Vincent Nobile, Avenger, 6.555, 211.13 vs. 9. Greg Stanfield, Camaro, 6.561, 210.73. Did Not Qualify: 17. Kurt Johnson, 6.650, 210.24. 18. Warren Johnson, 6.666, 209.07. 19. Mark Wolfe, 6.694, 206.80.

[Buoy]

Boat drags start in September.

New name "Wild Horse Pass" - same as the casino a few miles away...

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/20130815former-firebird-raceway-wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park-set-to-open-september-13.html

[Ratickle]

That's really good news....:hurray: