Speedworld biting the bullet, too...

[Wharf Rat]

Two comments on Speedworld Dragstrip's Facebook page and an article in AZ auto scene...

Yes, we will be closing; we just don't know exactly when yet. Visit our websitewww.racespeedworld.com (http://www.racespeedworld.com/) or call the hotline 623-388-2424 for the ONLY source of accurate information.
January 16 at 8:21am

GREAT NEWS! It appears that we have been able to work out an equitable agreement for an exit strategy for Speedworld that could possibly give us quite a number of weekends to continue running. Specific details have yet to be worked out, but we're definitely breathing a little easier tonight! YIPPEE!
January 17

http://www.arizonaautoscene.com/archives/11637

Un****ingbelieveable. PIR Road course- GONE, Speedworld- Dead, Firebird- on life support (Bondurant is staying and has the West track. Rest is up in the air).

Someone's gotta revive the Bird... A city of 4 million people sure as hell should be able to support at least 1 dragstrip for gods sake.

[BurnTire]

Firebird was very busy on Friday Night Drags until the recession then turnout was only a fraction on what is previously was.
The tracks can't survie without customers.

[Jodaddy]

Man that's so depressing. Never thought all of them would close down.

[Rick Shopmier]

This is no surprise (ie, City of Surprise) that the pressure on Speedworld is causing them to close. Even when I was working at Toyota (way west if Speedworld) there was talk of the advancing development on the desert and what the fate of the proving grounds were, however they came to agreement for Ford to develope their proving grounds. Such things as the roadway infrastructure being pushed to the property owners (huge cost) and noise abatement issues with the neighbors (remember the track was there before most of these people moved in). I don't think that the amount of business and the jobs/taxes generated are factors that would have your government push to save Speedworld. But declining business with the recession and the government pressure are the probable causes. As for Firebird, if you remember back when there is an issue with the tribes that own that land. Historically they were open to the tracks for lease income, but now that the casinos are the big revenue the track is un-needed burden on their plans to expand. Here in Colorado it appears that motorsports venues are on a slow uptick. Grand Junction, a city of about 60K people in a county of about 160K bodies has two great racing venues with a .9 mile road course for carts/cars and top flite dragstrip cross town. Both of these are away from development zones and are not in jeapordy (for now). I hope for the best, but expect the worst. Good Luck with this.

[4Jenna]

I have been sick over this....

[Wharf Rat]

I have been sick over this....

Me too. Maybe Burntire is right but I still don't get it.

When I moved here 5 years ago I was impressed with the car scene in PHX. Now not so much. This place is more about matching floormats or tacky body kits than dynosheets and ETs.

Put up a post about a dragstrip closing and nobody gives a fat ****. If you put up a post that Pavilions was done or parking lots were banned there would be outrage.

[Double0Fox]

Wow, this makes me a little less excited about moving back that way. I had no idea Firebird was done. I would go out there with friends when I still lived there for all the NASA racing. Geez, is there any good news on the horizon at all?

[Double0Fox]

Also excuse the ignorance, but what is the Pavilions?

[Wharf Rat]

Firebird might not be done. They just haven't renewed the lease for the previous management (which some will argue that is a good thing). Bondurant has the West track locked up and Lucas has the boats and off-road track lease. The fate of the dragstrip and east track are unknown. Still could be a good thing if someone new comes in and puts some money into the facility.

Pavilions is a weekly car show in Snobbsdale where... well nevermind. I'll stop there. It's a car show.

[HanksGT]

It's a year round car display at the Rock & Roll McDonalds at 101 and Indian Bend Rd. Fourth Saturday is Mustang night.


Also excuse the ignorance, but what is the Pavilions?

[Jacostang]

[QUOTE=Wharf Rat;91125]Firebird might not be done. They just haven't renewed the lease for the previous management (which some will argue that is a good thing). Bondurant has the West track locked up and Lucas has the boats and off-road track lease. The fate of the dragstrip and east track are unknown. Still could be a good thing if someone new comes in and puts some money into the facility.

Also the Gila Indians are discussing taking FireBird over... I heard that somewhere...

[05mustangman]

I have also heard about Lucas Oil discussing taking over Firebird. But at the time of the interview they said they don't think they would be interested in taking over Firebird.

I wonder what, if any, improvements would be made if the Gila Indians did end up taking over Firebird and keeping it running.

[BurnTire]

I think Firebird will survive.

[BigStang]

Hey i have some friends, who have friends, and I can the do a little Inspector Closeau and get back to the group with some great news...