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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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{{short description|Race track}}
{{short description|Motorsport venue in the United States}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{advert|date=September 2016}}
{{Unreferenced|date=September 2020}}
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}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2013}}
{{Motorsport venue
{{Motorsport venue
|Name = Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park
|Name = Firebird Motorsports Park
|Nicknames =
|Nicknames =
|Time = [[Mountain Time Zone|UTC−7]]
|Time = [[Mountain Time Zone|UTC−7]]
|Location = [[Chandler, Arizona]]
|Location = [[Chandler, Arizona|Chandler]], [[Arizona]], [[United States]]
|Coordinates =
|Coordinates = {{coord|33|16|8|N|111|57|58|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|Image = [[File:Firebird International Raceway Chandler Arizona.jpg|200px]]
|Image = [[File:Firebird_Motorsports_Park_logo.jpeg|200px]]<br />[[File:Firebird International Raceway Chandler Arizona.jpg|250px]]
|Image_caption =
|Image_caption = Firebird Motorsports Park in 2010.
|Address = 20,000 South Maricopa Road Box 5023 Chandler, AZ 85226
|Address = 20000 S Maricopa Rd
|Capacity =
|Capacity =
|Owner =
|Owner = [[Gila River Indian Community]]
|Operator =
|Operator =
|Broke_ground =
|Broke_ground =
|Opened = 1983
|Opened = 1983
⚫
|Closed =
|Construction_cost=
|Construction_cost=
|Architect =
|Architect =
|Former_names = Firebird International Raceway (1983–2013)
|Former_names = Firebird International Raceway (1983–2013)<br />Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (2013–2023)
|Events = '''Current:'''<br />'''[[NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series]]'''<br />''NHRA Arizona Nationals'' (1985–Present)<ref>{{cite news |title=What to watch for when NHRA returns to Wild Horse Pass this weekend |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/motor/2022/02/23/nhra-returns-wild-horse-pass-arizona-torrence-capps-force/6915423001/ |access-date=23 June 2022 |work=azcentral.com |agency=Arizona Republic}}</ref><br />'''[[Nitrocross]]'''<ref>{{cite news |last1=Romero |first1=José |title=Motorsports legend Travis Pastrana brings his new Nitro Rallycross to Phoenix area |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/motor/2021/11/12/nitro-rallycross-flies-into-phoenix-first-ever-stop/8594078002/ |access-date=23 June 2022 |work=azcentral.com |agency=Arizona Republic}}</ref> (2021–present)<br />'''Former:'''<br />[[Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series]]<br />(2010–2020)<br />[[AMA Superbike Championship]] (1995)<br />[[GT World Challenge America|SCCA World Challenge]] (1992)<br />[[IMSA GT Championship]] (1987)
⚫
|Events =
|Layout1 = Drag Strip
|layout1 = East Course (1983–2023)
|Surface = Concrete
|surface = Asphalt
|Length_km = .402
|length_km = 2.01
|Length_mi = .25
|length_mi = 1.25
|Turns =
|turns = 10
|record_driver = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Willy T. Ribbs]]
⚫
|Banking =
|Record_time =
|record_time = 0:56.920
|record_car = [[Toyota Celica Turbo IMSA GTO|Toyota Celica Turbo]]
|Record_driver =
|record_year = [[1987 IMSA GT Championship|1987]]
⚫
|Record_team =
|record_class = [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA GTO]]
⚫
|Record_year =
|Record_class =
|layout2 = Firebird Lake
⚫
|surface2 =
|length2_km = 3.9
|length2_mi = 2.4
|Record_time2 =
|Record_driver2 =
⚫
|Record_car2 =
|Record_year2 =
|Record_class2 =
|layout3 = Radford Racing Course
|surface3 = Asphalt
|length3_km = 2.6
|length3_mi = 1.6
⚫
|turns3 = 15
|Record_time3 =
|Record_driver3 =
⚫
|Record_car3 =
|Record_year3 =
|Record_class3 =
|layout4 = West Course
|surface4 = Asphalt
|length4_km = 1.8
|length4_mi = 1.1
|Record_time4 =
|Record_driver4 =
|Record_car4 =
|Record_year4 =
|Record_class4 =
|layout5 = Off-Road Course
⚫
|surface5 = Dirt
|length5_km = 1.13
|length5_mi = 0.7
|Layout6 = Drag Strip
|Surface6 = Concrete
|Length_km6 = 0.402
|Length_mi6 = 0.250
}}
}}

'''Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park''' is a [[motorsports]] venue in [[Chandler, Arizona]], near [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]. It features a quarter-mile [[dragstrip]], a road course, an off-road course, and motorboat racing lake.
'''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|Chandler]], [[Arizona]], [[United States]], about {{cvt|18|mi|km|abbr=on}} southeast of downtown [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]].


==History==
==History==
The facility opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983.
The facility opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983 and hosts the [[National Hot Rod Association|NHRA]]'s Arizona Nationals. It held one [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA GT]] race, in [[1987 IMSA GT Championship season|1987]]. Due to its warm climate, it is a popular winter testing spot for NHRA and [[IndyCar Series|IndyCar]] teams. In December 1992, Three-time Formula One World Driving Champion Ayrton Senna famously tested an IndyCar at this facility (then still called Firebird International Raceway) with Team Penske. Senna was intrigued, but eventually decided to stay in Formula One.


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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Waldron |first1=Alex |title=1985 Fallnationals |url=https://www.nhra.com/news/2016/1985-fallnationals |website=NHRA.com |access-date=24 June 2022}}</ref>
The venue currently hosts an array of auto enthusiast events, such as the NHRA Nationals, [[Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series]], Lucas Oil Regional Off-Road Racing Series, Red Bull Global Rally Cross, Bug-o-Rama, Formula Drift, Friday Night Drags, Drift & Drag Nights.


On May 17, 1987, it held its only [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA GT]] race, the [[1987 IMSA GT Championship|Arizona 300]].
The 600 acre multi-use facility is currently used by dragsters, monster trucks, off-road races, and drag boats. Some of the biggest brands in motorsports, including Lucas Oil, Coca-Cola, CARQUEST and Ford have sponsored the circuit.


In December 1992, Three-time Formula One Champion [[Ayrton Senna]] tested an [[American open-wheel car racing|IndyCar]] on the East Course with [[Team Penske]]. Senna was intrigued, but eventually decided to stay in Formula One. <ref>{{cite web |title=Senna at Indycar? Check out the backstage of the historic test with Penske |url=https://www.ayrtonsenna.com.br/en/teste-ayrton-senna-penske/ |website=Ayrton Senna |access-date=15 June 2022}}</ref>
The park includes four race tracks: a 1/4 mile NHRA sanctioned drag strip; 1.6 mile road course; a 10-turn 1.25 mile road course; and a 1.1 mile road course, incorporating 11 tight turns and a 3/8 mile straight-away. It also features a 2.4 mile [[International Hot Boat Association|IHBA]]- and [[American Power Boat Association|APBA]]-sanctioned oval lake.


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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sunnucks |first1=Mike |title=Firebird Raceway faces demise as lease runs out |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/print-edition/2012/11/16/firebird-raceway-faces-demise-as-lease.html |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Phoenix Business Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Connelly |first1=Christopher |title=Firebird Raceway's last night out bittersweet for fans |url=https://kjzz.org/content/3446/firebird-raceways-last-night-out-bittersweet-fans |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=KJZZ |date=1 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Dowd |first1=Peter |title=Firebird International Raceway to close in April |url=https://kjzz.org/content/3411/firebird-international-raceway-close-april |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=KJZZ |date=29 March 2013}}</ref> 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 [[Native American gaming|tribal casino]] and resort Wild Horse Pass while also receiving an investment of more than $1 million in renovations, including repaving the drag-strip.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Reiss |first1=Jason |title=Firebird Raceway Gets New Lease As Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park |url=https://www.dragzine.com/news/firebird-raceway-gets-new-lease-as-wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Dragzine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bonkowski |first1=Jerry |title=Goodbye, Firebird Raceway — hello, Wild Horse Motorsports Park |url=https://motorsports.nbcsports.com/2013/06/23/goodbye-firebird-raceway-hello-wild-horse-motorsports-park/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=NBS Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Knight |first1=Michael |title=Repaved, renovated Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park ready for 1st major test run |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/2014/02/19/repaved-renovated-wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park-ready-for-1st-major-test-run/5638149/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |publisher=azcentral.com}}</ref>
On February 24, 1985, in one of the most chilling accidents ever seen at the lake, Drag Boat Racer Sunny Moon was nearly killed after jumping out of his drag boat when he jammed his throttle going around 160 MPH, which launched into the air after hitting the shore and exploded into flames after slamming into a row of high tension power lines. Moon was knocked unconscious after hitting the water at 160 MPH, but amazingly, he suffered only minor injuries in the accident. The accident was filmed by cameraman Terry Fox.

On Feb 22, 2014, Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park would reopen and host its first event since closing, the NHRA Arizona National.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hurtado |first1=Allison |title=Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park gearing up for first NHRA event |url=https://www.ahwatukee.com/community_focus/article_b9fef31c-8fb3-11e3-bf5c-0019bb2963f4.html |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=Ahwatukee Foothills News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Force, Kalitta and McGaha fastest on opening day at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nhra/news/force-kalitta-and-mcgaha-fastest-on-opening-day-at-wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park/2749758/ |access-date=24 June 2022 |work=motorsport.com}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |title=NHRA facing end of road in Arizona as highway construction dooms Wild Horse Pass track |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/motor/2022/03/30/highway-construction-dooms-wild-horse-pass-track-nhra-arizona/7222360001/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=azcentral.com |agency=Arizona Republic |date=30 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hodell |first1=Nicholas |title=Highway construction to close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park after nearly four decade NHRA run |url=https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2022/03/31/wild-horse-pass-motorsports-park-close-interstate-10-construction/ |access-date=15 June 2022 |work=Arizona PBS |agency=Cronkite News |date=31 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Maryniak |first1=Paul |title=Legendary Wild Horse raceway closing for good |url=https://www.eastvalleytribune.com/news/legendary-wild-horse-raceway-closing-for-good/article_e7ba9a98-b202-11ec-a0fe-cb4764edce11.html |access-date=15 June 2022 |agency=East Valley Tribune}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web |last=|first= |title=Arizona Nationals Return To Renamed Firebird Motorsports Park|url=https://www.speedsport.com/drag-racing/nhra/arizona-nationals-return-to-renamed-firebird-motorsports-park/|work=[[Speed Sport]] |date=December 7, 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!Category!!Time!!Driver!!Vehicle!!Date
|-
! colspan=5 | East Course: 2.010&nbsp;km (1983–present)
|-
| [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA GTO]] || '''0:56.920'''<ref name='firebird_imsa_1987'>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Firebird-1987-05-17-5370.html|title=300 km Firebird [GT]|access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Willy T. Ribbs]] || [[Toyota Celica Turbo IMSA GTO|Toyota Celica Turbo]] || [[1987 IMSA GT Championship|1987 Arizona 300]]
|-
| [[IMSA GT Championship|IMSA GTU]] || '''1:01.290'''<ref name='firebird_imsa_1987' /> || [[Lee Mueller]] || [[Nissan 300ZX]] || [[1987 IMSA GT Championship|1987 Arizona 300]]
|-
| [[Trans-Am Series|Trans-Am]] || '''1:02.190'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racingsportscars.com/race/Firebird-1985-04-21-8564.html|title=Trans-Am Firebird 1985|access-date=5 November 2022}}</ref> || [[Willy T. Ribbs]] || [[Mercury Capri]] || [[1985 Trans-Am Series|1985 Firebird Trans-Am round]]
|-
⚫
|}


==Circuits==
==Circuits==
Line 54: Line 104:
File:WHP Motorsports Park West Full.png|West Course
File:WHP Motorsports Park West Full.png|West Course
File:WHP Motorsports Park East Full.png|East Course
File:WHP Motorsports Park East Full.png|East Course
File:WHP Motorsports Park Bondurant Full.png|Bondurant Course
File:WHP Motorsports Park Bondurant Full.png|Radford Racing Course
File:WHP Motorsports Park Boundrant West Main Combined.png|West, Bondurant and Main Courses combined
File:WHP Motorsports Park Boundrant West Main Combined.png|West, Radford Racing and Main Courses combined
</gallery>
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official|1=http://www.racewildhorse.net/|name=Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Official Website}}
*[https://racefirebird.com/ Firebird Motorsports Park Official Website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090408195145/http://wsrp.ic.cz/imsa1987.html World Sports Racing Prototypes] - 1987 IMSA GT Championship results


{{IMSA GT circuits}}
{{IMSA GT circuits}}
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{{NHRA dragstrips}}
{{NHRA dragstrips}}
{{Global Rallycross tracks}}
{{Global Rallycross tracks}}
{{Nitro Rallycross}}

{{MotoAmerica circuits}}
{{coord|33|16|8|N|111|57|58|W|type:landmark|display=title}}


[[Category:NHRA Division 7 drag racing venues]]
[[Category:NHRA Division 7 drag racing venues]]
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[[Category:1983 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1983]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1983]]



{{autoracing-venue-stub}}
{{autoracing-venue-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:25, 7 April 2024

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]
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[edit]

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]

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[edit]

  • 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[edit]

  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.

External links[edit]

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