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Firebird Motorsports Park

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Coordinates: 33°16′8″N 111°57′58″W / 33.26889°N 111.96611°W / 33.26889; -111.96611
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Firebird Motorsports Park

Firebird Motorsports Park in 2010.
LocationChandler, Arizona, United States
Time zoneUTC−7
Coordinates33°16′8″N 111°57′58″W / 33.26889°N 111.96611°W / 33.26889; -111.96611
OwnerGila River Indian Community
Address20000 S Maricopa Rd
Opened1983
ClosedFebruary 2023
Former namesFirebird International Raceway (1983–2013)
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (2013–2023)
Major eventsCurrent:
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
NHRA Arizona Nationals (1985–2023)[1]
Nitrocross[2] (2021–present)
Former:
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
(2010–2020)
AMA Superbike Championship (1995)
SCCA World Challenge (1992)
IMSA GT Championship (1987)
Websitehttp://www.racewildhorse.com/
East Course (1983–2023)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.01 km (1.25 miles)
Turns10
Race lap record0:56.920 (United States Willy T. Ribbs, Toyota Celica Turbo, 1987, IMSA GTO)
Firebird Lake
Length3.9 km (2.4 miles)
Radford Racing Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.6 km (1.6 miles)
Turns15
West Course
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.8 km (1.1 miles)
Off-Road Course
SurfaceDirt
Length1.13 km (0.7 miles)
Drag Strip
SurfaceConcrete
Length0.402 km (0.250 miles)

Firebird Motorsports Park (formerly Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and Firebird International Raceway) is a 450-acre (180 ha) motorsport racing complex, located in Chandler, Arizona, United States, about 18 mi (29 km) southeast of downtown Phoenix.

History

The facility opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983.

In 1985, Firebird hosted the NHRA Fallnationals, the first National NHRA event held at the complex. Gene Snow would win the Top Fuel championship while Bob Glidden clinched the 1985 NHRA world championship.[3]

On May 17, 1987, it held its only IMSA GT race, the Arizona 300.

In December 1992, Three-time Formula One Champion Ayrton Senna tested an IndyCar on the East Course with Team Penske. Senna was intrigued, but eventually decided to stay in Formula One. [4]

In March 2013, it was announced that the land owner, the Gila River Indian Community and the operator of Firebird International Raceway, Charlie Allen could not reach an agreement on a lease extension and that the complex would close in April.[5][6][7] The complex would stay closed throughout March until the Gila River Indian Community announced that they signed a lease agreement with a new operator in June, the complex would change names from Firebird International Raceway to Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, named after the neighboring tribal casino and resort Wild Horse Pass while also receiving an investment of more than $1 million in renovations, including repaving the drag-strip.[8][9][10]

On Feb 22, 2014, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park would reopen and host its first event since closing, the NHRA Arizona National.[11][12]

In March 2022, it was announced that Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park would close in February 2023, after NHRA Arizona Nationals, due to the widening of Interstate 10. Radford Racing School and the Radford Racing course will remain open after Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park closes.[13][14][15]

Track officials announced that the track would the name of the faciliy to Firebird Motorsports Park which is a reference to the original name of the facility.[16]


December 7th 2024 official press release announcement for the Firebird Motorsports Park name change.

After a record-breaking attendance and unrelenting commitment from the motorsports community an iconic venue is getting a new name. With the support from the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority and the Gila River Indian Community, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is now Firebird Motorsports Park. The news was announced live on the NHRA YouTube channel during the Performance Racing Industry show in Indianapolis. The historic 40-year racing facility, once known as Firebird International Raceway, is further cementing its place in the industry. The facility will be led by track manager Casey Buckman and track business administrator Connie Bopp, who bring more than 50 years combined of motorsports industry experience.

“As someone who grew up going to events at the facility when it was called Firebird, I am excited to be honoring the history of the past 40 years and look forward to adding to the legacy for years to come,” said Buckman.

Along with this announcement comes the unveiling of a new logo for Firebird Motorsports Park. The logo is a large firebird silhouette, the wings emulating the racetracks and it is surrounded by an orange triangle with the name of the company front and center. Known for its rich history in Arizona, the world-class track offers three road course circuits, acres of pavement for autocross and skidpad use, a 120-acre watersports lake, 1⁄4 mile NHRA Drag Strip, drag boat racing, off-road truck racing and more.

NHRA has announced its return to Firebird Motorsports Park for the 2024 season for the 39th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals on April 5 to 7, solidifying its continued history of NHRA drag racing at the track. Ticket renewals for the “Duel in the Desert” are available now to returning fans. The general public can purchase tickets on the NHRA website at NHRA.com beginning Dec. 11.

The track is excited to welcome additional events such as Travis Pastrana’s NitroCross Series, off road racing, sports car racing, car shows, drifting, team bracket racing, concerts, festivals and more. Radford Racing School will also host its Dodge Demon Drag Racing and other instructional-based racing classes at the track.

This announcement comes after an outpouring of support from the racing industry as Gila River Indian Community worked to reroute a freeway overpass that was supposed to go through the middle of the track in order to keep it open for years to come.

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
East Course: 2.010 km (1983–present)
IMSA GTO 0:56.920[17] Willy T. Ribbs Toyota Celica Turbo 1987 Arizona 300
IMSA GTU 1:01.290[17] Lee Mueller Nissan 300ZX 1987 Arizona 300
Trans-Am 1:02.190[18] Willy T. Ribbs Mercury Capri 1985 Firebird Trans-Am round

Circuits

  • Main Course
    Main Course
  • West Course
    West Course
  • East Course
    East Course
  • Radford Racing Course
    Radford Racing Course
  • West, Radford Racing and Main Courses combined
    West, Radford Racing and Main Courses combined

References

  1. ^ "What to watch for when NHRA returns to Wild Horse Pass this weekend". azcentral.com. Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  2. ^ Romero, José. "Motorsports legend Travis Pastrana brings his new Nitro Rallycross to Phoenix area". azcentral.com. Arizona Republic. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Waldron, Alex. "1985 Fallnationals". NHRA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Senna at Indycar? Check out the backstage of the historic test with Penske". Ayrton Senna. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  5. ^ Sunnucks, Mike. "Firebird Raceway faces demise as lease runs out". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Connelly, Christopher (April 1, 2013). "Firebird Raceway's last night out bittersweet for fans". KJZZ. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  7. ^ O'Dowd, Peter (March 29, 2013). "Firebird International Raceway to close in April". KJZZ. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Reiss, Jason. "Firebird Raceway Gets New Lease As Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park". Dragzine. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry. "Goodbye, Firebird Raceway — hello, Wild Horse Motorsports Park". NBS Sports. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Knight, Michael. "Repaved, renovated Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park ready for 1st major test run". azcentral.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Hurtado, Allison. "Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park gearing up for first NHRA event". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "Force, Kalitta and McGaha fastest on opening day at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park". motorsport.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  13. ^ "NHRA facing end of road in Arizona as highway construction dooms Wild Horse Pass track". azcentral.com. Arizona Republic. March 30, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  14. ^ Hodell, Nicholas (March 31, 2022). "Highway construction to close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park after nearly four decade NHRA run". Arizona PBS. Cronkite News. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  15. ^ Maryniak, Paul. "Legendary Wild Horse raceway closing for good". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  16. ^ "Arizona Nationals Return To Renamed Firebird Motorsports Park". Speed Sport. December 7, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "300 km Firebird [GT]". Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  18. ^ "Trans-Am Firebird 1985". Retrieved November 5, 2022.
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