In reply to Rodan :
what was the strip in chandler?
In reply to Rodan :
what was the strip in chandler?
Or surprise raceway?
In reply to camopaint0707 :
Beeline was off of 87 in East Mesa, that may be what you're thinking of for "Chandler"... I've never known of a track in Chandler.
Speedworld was sometimes referred to as being in Surprise, but it was further North on 60 at Jomax Rd. out in the county.
Yup Rodan got the same ones I would have named.
The most famous, aside from Firebird, would be Beeline.
The one near Tucson at the fairgrounds also has an asphalt roundy track there.
I imagine there were others but these are the most well known.
I remember watching PINKS and they were always in arizona.
In reply to camopaint0707 :
PINKS filmed at Speedworld a number of times. That was around the time I was transitioning from drag racing bikes to road racing bikes and I wasn't hitting the 'strip as much. I had friends that were there when they were filming, but I never made it out when they were there.
In reply to camopaint0707 :
It was called Firebird Raceway back in the 80s........it's now Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park.....which as was pointed out is closing.
I raced motorcycles there a couple of times in the mid to late 80s.
In reply to Tom1200 :
Yeah, I guess Firebird/Wildhorse is in Chandler... never heard it referred to as the "Chandler track", though...
One thing that's a bit confusing... "Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park" is not closing... the dragstrip acreage is being converted for another project. There are several road race tracks which will survive, including the Radford (formerly Bondurant) School.
There are several road tracks there but they are smaller for the school’s usage.
I’ve read several things re the closing. Primarily that the widening of I10 will take out the lake and at least part of the big track. But there are also other possibilities in regard to “development”. It seems like those may be up in the air – check out the linked article.
https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2022/04/02/wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park-to-close.html
In reply to L5wolvesf :
There's been a lot of contradictory information in the last couple of years. The one thing that seems to be consistent is that the lake and dragstrip are going away permanently. The dragstrip was the site of the 'big' track (Firebird 'Main') which used the dragstrip for a straight, and the pits as the road course. It could also be tied into the Radford track for "Mondo" events. The 'East' course was between the highway and lake, and IIRC they used part of this course and the area south for RallyX and 'off road' events. It's been unclear whether this area is going away, but if the highway is widened, it would almost have to as it's right next to the highway. The 'West' course is what I believe to be most likely to survive, along with the Radford school/track. I was honestly surprised when the school re-opened after Bondurant shut down, but I guess they want to make money off the land right up until the bulldozers arrive. The entire area is on tribal ground, and I would bet a casino/hotel would bring in a lot more $$$$ than the racetracks ever did...
Yes, a lot of contradictory information and I can’t find anything really current, like 2023, on the “plan”.
I’m familiar with the facility as of the mid 90s when I ran H-Production there. I spent a lot of time on the front straight.
With all the growth in the valley I’m sure other usage of that property would make more $$$ than a racetrack.
So what was the reasoning for firebird shutting down?
A picture just got leaked of the application for construction listing IAA as the future use. What a shame
Emerald Cost Raceway in Holt, FL was just sold to an investment group/insurance company. The site has been sitting non-op since 2021 however. Still sad to see it go to some suits.
Insurance auctions are buying up everything that looks like a big parking lot it seems (racetracks, small airports). Probably cheaper and easier to get through existing cover than building a new, huge, impermeable surface.
Don't worry. The kids will find plenty of places to race. On the street. 
TR7 said:Insurance auctions are buying up everything that looks like a big parking lot it seems (racetracks, small airports). Probably cheaper and easier to get through existing cover than building a new, huge, impermeable surface.
Plus they are already fenced in or naturally bordered, facilities in place for staff, typically already a hazardous site, etc.
I'm also sure if they're a public company, vanguard, black rock, and state street, want their return on investment....
I think I need to go back to my local drag strip once or twice this summer, if for no other reason than to show some support. Even if it's just in my little 1 series.
Bringing this back, as there's some good news for AZ racers... looks like all of the Wildhorse (formerly Firebird) tracks may stay open!
Radford School announces expansion
Radford is the reincarnation of what used to be the Bondurant School. Some locals are skeptical, as it's all up to the mood of the Gila Tribe, but it's some hope anyway...
Just read an article today that Milan Dragway in MI is under new ownership and re-opened for racing.
In reply to wawazat :
Yes, intermittently last year and roughly a whole season this year. They did a bunch of upgrades that took longer than expected this spring.
You'll need to log in to post.
