wild horse pass raceway closing
81. This one hits close to home. The park will celebrate its 40th year of NHRA racing during next years Arizona It is important to note that the completion of this engineering and environmental study is required for any improvements to be eligible for federal funding. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Both would widen I-10 from two lanes to three lanes in each direction, the difference being whether this widening is accomplished in the median of I-10, or to the outside of I-10. Refer to the 2023 NHRA Rulebook for complete tech requirements and competition rules. As NHRA looks toward the future, it will focus on venues not currently on the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series circuit to fill the spot of the Phoenix event starting in the 2024 season. 25-year-old Kyle Fritz has been racing at Wild Horse Pass since he was fifteen. Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah yet. The same information was presented at each hearing. Many were shocked when back on March 25 NHRA dropped the bomb that Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is set to close down for good next year. We regularly host test days, practice sessions, club days, races, product launches, corporate events and As mentioned above, I-10 consists of three lanes in each direction between SR 387 near Casa Grande and Tucson. This proposal was made with the existing I-10 framework. Thats not true of all enthusiasts, but to ignore the problem by only focusing on part of the group would be dishonest. WebLittle Wild Horse & Ding and Dang Emery, UT Among the exceptionally beautiful slot canyon hikes in the southern San Rafael area, Little Wild Horse Canyon is a classic, as well as the perfect introduction both to non-technical canyoneering for just about anyone in decent The NHRA has raced in Arizona every year since 1985 with the exception of 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols. Many were shocked when back on March 25 NHRA dropped the bomb that Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is set to close down for good next year. Slot canyons are narrow gorges in soft rocks like Utahs layered sedimentary deposits. Friday Night Run What You Brung open drags have been a staple of the Arizona racing community for over 25 years. What drives the closure of so many tracks and motorsports parks usually comes down to one thing: money. Take advantage of the variety of climbing available to enjoy this scenic winter climbing destination. We may earn money from the links on this page. Federal laws protect these wild horses. Among the exceptionally beautiful slot canyon hikes in the southern San Rafael area, Little Wild Horse Canyon is a classic, as well as the perfect introduction both to non-technical canyoneering for just about anyone in decent shape. Utahs National Ability Center is known for changing lives through its adaptive recreation programs. They dont care what these changes do to communities because they have to get paid, period. The study would conclude with a selected alternative and an associated cost estimate to design and construct it, should a build alternative be selected. Our car experts choose every product we feature. The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority announced March 25 the former Firebird International Raceway would hold its final National Hot Rod Association race (NHRA) next February at the 440-acre complex that includes a drag strip, road course and 2.4-mile oval motorboat racing lake. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Don't forget your camera, and bring some binoculars in case the horses are far away from the road so you can see them up close. WebContact Us Contact Info Address Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park 20000 S Maricopa Rd Chandler, AZ 85226 Phone (520) 796-5601 Email contact Mind you, theres already a casino and mall just down the road, not to mention restaurants and retail on the other side of I-10. Want to visit the awesome Antelope Canyon? Replacing the aging and narrow Gila River Bridges as a part of a separate study. The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority announced on Friday that the 2023 NHRA Arizona Nationals will mark the final year for the event at the venue. Know Your Herd. The facility, which opened as Firebird International Raceway in 1983, is shuttering to make room for a new overpass and roadway for an Interstate 10 highway extension. The Wild Horse Park Development Authority says this is due to planned work on Interstate 10 near the area. The best 7 races count toward the points total for each racer at the end of the series, and anyone who runs at least 1 race qualifies to enter the Race of Champions at the ET Finals. Anyone can participate! Rawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass For nearly 40 years, the NHRA, in conjunction with People are not going to stop," says Fritz. ADOT documents reveal that a general public lane and a HOV lane will be added in each direction. You can take a drive to see these majestic animals. For more information on the I-10 Bridge Project, please click here. Please don't approach the animals; view them from a distance. So much so, that we have been Installing freeway management technology to allow for the installation of sensors, cameras, variable message signs and other highway safety-related technology. Locally, the route also serves the Gila River Indian Community by providing key connections to employment, medical, educational and other necessary services both within and outside of the Community. To date, about $640 million has been allocated to the corridor by the State and MAG, which includes the recently approved $400 million as part of the State Budget for fiscal year 2023. We have taken numerous steps for added cleaning, sanitation, and physical distancing. We know this final race will be a celebration that NHRA fans are famous for.. As cities continue expanding and developers get dollar signs in their eyes, they find ways to gobble up the ever-more-valuable land occupied by these facilities. A public meeting summary report is available on the Study Resources page. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. Construction would not start until the 2025 fiscal year. If youre interested in viewing more of Utahs wild horse herds, visit WildHorseTourist.com. Its a great resource with lots of helpful tips and some absolutely gorgeous photography by Robert Hammer. WebBooking at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for your track event gives your group access to an amazing facility with multiple options and an experienced, friendly staff. While we love writing about amazing opportunities like this, we hope that none of our readers will bring harm to these beautiful horses. John Forces eight wins in Phoenix leads all Funny Car drivers. The study process is producing a NEPA-compliant environmental report (an Environmental Assessment [EA]) and an engineering report called a Design Concept Report (DCR) that: Developed a range of alternatives and options, including the no-build alternative. By Engine Builder. Westwater Canyon Full-Day Rafting Adventure from Moab. If one of these build alternatives is selected and built, I-10 would then provide three continuous lanes in each direction between Phoenix and Tucson. CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Point standings (top 10) following the 38th annual NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, the second of 21 events in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series - There is no word on whether the additional development is part of the reason, along with future work on Interstate 10, to discontinue the Arizona Nationals at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park also has two asphalt road courses which can be used for drifting events in addition to normal track days and races. Simply hike into Willis Creek Narrows, a southern Utah slot canyon, for easy, scenic adventures of less than 5-miles (round trip) and many creek crossings. With real estate prices absolutely rocketing out of control in the Phoenix area as the city continues to grow by leaps and bounds, the Gila River Indian Community hatched a plan to raze the motorsports park and replace it with a sports and entertainment district with restaurants, retail spaces, sports facilities, parks, and an office complex. The only other racetrack in Arizona is in Tucson. The public hearings were held on the following dates: The formal public comment period was open from Aug. 19 through Oct. 9, 2022. Seating Chart. Autoweek participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. In this part of Utah, you can almost forget that 1.5 million people live in the valley just west of the mountains. Learn why a Toyota commercial exposes everything wrong with automakers today here. Following our public hearings and comment period, the study team will review and evaluate all input from the Gila River Indian Community, partner agencies and the public, and select a final alternative. The public comment period began on October 21 and ended December 4, 2020. In collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), ADOT has prepared an environmental study under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and engineering study to evaluate improvements to I-10. WebArizonas Wild Horse Pass To Close In 2023, Become Highway Overpass By Andrew Wolf March 27, 2022 Little more than a year ago, information came to light regarding proposed redevelopment plans by the The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority (WHGPDA) for Looking to venture beyond The Narrows and Angels Landing? Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. This redevelopment plan was supposed to be put into action several years down the road, maybe as far into the future as a decade. WebAuto Club Raceway at Pomona [ Close Window]Close Window] Evaluated the alternatives and options costs, right-of-way implications, engineering factors and environmental considerations. The I-10 bridges over the Gila River are part of a separate ADOT project that is excluded from this study but closely coordinated with the Community. Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011. Please use the contact form or the methods listed below to send questions, comments, and feedback to the project team. The road is typically accessible to most vehicles as long as it's not muddy. The Final EA will provide responses to all comments received during the public review and comment period. The 2023 race date has yet to be released. The natural forces that carved slot canyons are still at work, and even light, distant rainfall can render slot canyons extremely dangerous including flash floods. With interest from multiple NHRA member tracks within each region across the country, we are excited about the possibilities for a future NHRA national event.. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Call the bilingual study line: 602-522-7777, Email: i10wildhorsepasscorridor@hdrinc.com, USPS Mail:I-10 Wild Horse Pass Corridor Study Team c/o HDR, Inc.20 E. Thomas Road, Suite 2500Phoenix, AZ 85012, Enter an email or phone above if you'd like to be contacted, began on October 21 and ended December 4, 2020. Copyright 2023 AZ Big Media | All Rights Reserved | Site by Blufish, Heres how the Joy Bus helps home-bound cancer patients, How Small Business Boot Camp boosts Arizonas small business community, Heres where ASU, UArizona rank among universities granted patentsin 2022, 15 must-see places for an Arizona road trip. Every racer who chooses to sign up accumulates points for each race in which they participate. Multiple reports had circulated the web hinting the track would be demolished to make way for hotels, a concert venue, and office buildings, among other things. Since I live in the area and frequent there, this literally hits close to home for me. Utahs Annual Utah Lake Festival Belongs On Your Bucket List, Theres A Breathtaking Hotel Nestled Just Outside Of A Utah National Park, The Elusive Waterfalls At Gunlock State Park In Utah Are Flowing For The First Time In 3 Years, Youll Never Forget Your Stay At This Charming Vacation Home In Utah With Panoramic Views, The Utah Scenic Drive You Wont Want To Miss This Year, The Scenic Byway In Utah You Have To Travel At Least Once, These Watercolor Mountains Hiding In Utah Will Take Your Breath Away, Utah Just Got A New National Monument, And Youre Going To Want To Visit. "They posted this thing about this place closing, it's just like, why don't you just rip my heart out?" You may encounter horses near to the road, and some may even seem unafraid of you. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has been a legal option for racers over the past four decades. The facility has hosted NHRA racing since 1985. Check the specific event for more detailed information on Spectator Info. We want to thank Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park and the Gila River community for their dedicated commitment to drag racing, NHRA president Glen Cromwell said. ADOT, MAG, BIA, FHWA and the Gila River Indian Community continue to partner to deliver this important project, including efforts to secure the necessary funding. Motorsports Park take our guests and our associates safety as our highest priority. RELATED STORY - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK CLOSING AFTER 2022 NHRA EVENT, WILD HORSE BECOMES THIRD NHRA NATIONAL EVENT TRACK CLOSING SINCE 2021. Avoid taking this trip during bad weather, and make sure you're prepared with plenty of gas, water and a spare tire. This selection, combined with the input from the public hearing and associated public comment period, will be documented in the Final EA and DCR documents which will be published on this website once complete. Seeing wild horses is like taking a trip right back to the Old West, when these herds were much more common. Join us for another Go Fast Drift N Drag! If they feel threatened, they can injure you or themselves. and last updated 9:44 PM, Mar 27, 2022 CHANDLER One of only two racetracks left in Arizona, is set to close. As a host of the NHRA Nationals, the track gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Of all the stops on Burr, theres really nothing like the little slot canyon at an inconspicuous turnoff 11.5 miles down from the starting point. Heres how to navigate Utah's backcountry safely. Tell us about your experiences, and share your photos if you have any! If youre not familiar with the complex, it houses an amazing quarter mile NHRA sanctioned track, 1.6-mile road course, 1.25-mile road course, 1.1-mile road course, an off-road course, plus a 2.4-mile oval lake which is one of only two purpose-built boat racing lakes in the United States. we have been awarded the Healthy Verify Certification for our