Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park

Wild Horse Pass 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)
Major eventsCurrent:
NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series
NHRA Arizona Nationals (1985–2023)
Nitro RX (2021–2022)
Former:
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series
(2010–2020)
AMA Superbike Championship (1995)
SCCA World Challenge (1992)
IMSA GT Championship (1987)
Websitewww.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)

Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park 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.

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.

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. 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.

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

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.

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

Circuits


This page was last updated at 2023-10-29 14:17 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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