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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
Former namesFirebird International Raceway (1983–2013)
Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (2013–2023)
Major eventsCurrent:
NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series
NHRA Arizona Nationals (1985–present)[1]
Former:
Nitrocross (2021–2023)
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.[2]

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. [3]

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.[4][5][6] 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.[7][8][9]

On Feb 22, 2014, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park would reopen and host its first event since closing, the NHRA Arizona National.[10][11]

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.[12][13][14]

Track officials announced that the track would change the name of the facility to Firebird Motorsports Park which is a reference to the original name of the facility.[15]

Lap records

The fastest official race lap records at the Firebird Motorsports Park are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Event
East Course: 2.010 km (1983–present)
IMSA GTO 0:56.920[16] Willy T. Ribbs Toyota Celica Turbo 1987 Arizona 300
MSA GTU 1:01.290[16] Lee Mueller Nissan 300ZX 1987 Arizona 300
Trans-Am 1:02.190[17] Willy T. Ribbs Mercury Capri 1985 Firebird Trans-Am round

Layout configurations

  • 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. ^ Waldron, Alex. "1985 Fallnationals". NHRA.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  3. ^ "Senna at Indycar? Check out the backstage of the historic test with Penske". Ayrton Senna. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  4. ^ Sunnucks, Mike. "Firebird Raceway faces demise as lease runs out". Phoenix Business Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Connelly, Christopher (April 1, 2013). "Firebird Raceway's last night out bittersweet for fans". KJZZ. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  6. ^ O'Dowd, Peter (March 29, 2013). "Firebird International Raceway to close in April". KJZZ. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  7. ^ Reiss, Jason. "Firebird Raceway Gets New Lease As Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park". Dragzine. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. ^ Bonkowski, Jerry. "Goodbye, Firebird Raceway — hello, Wild Horse Motorsports Park". NBS Sports. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  9. ^ Knight, Michael. "Repaved, renovated Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park ready for 1st major test run". azcentral.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  10. ^ Hurtado, Allison. "Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park gearing up for first NHRA event". Ahwatukee Foothills News. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  11. ^ "Force, Kalitta and McGaha fastest on opening day at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park". motorsport.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Maryniak, Paul. "Legendary Wild Horse raceway closing for good". East Valley Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  15. ^ "Arizona Nationals Return To Renamed Firebird Motorsports Park". Speed Sport. December 7, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "300 km Firebird [GT]". May 17, 1987. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  17. ^ "Trans-Am Firebird 1985". April 21, 1985. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
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