Raconteur
Nitro Member
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Firebird Closing 3/30/13
- Thread starter Raconteur
- Start date
Guess those indians don't like Mello Yello. 
I'm not surprised Firebird is outta here. If an indian tribe decides to build a casino, they won't be denied. There's one about every 5 miles down here, and all of them are making money hand over fist. I don't know who Charlie Allen is but let's hope the rumor is true. I'd hate for the Phoenix area to lose a major NHRA event, even though Vegas isn't far away.
I'm not surprised Firebird is outta here. If an indian tribe decides to build a casino, they won't be denied. There's one about every 5 miles down here, and all of them are making money hand over fist. I don't know who Charlie Allen is but let's hope the rumor is true. I'd hate for the Phoenix area to lose a major NHRA event, even though Vegas isn't far away.
Charlie was a racer from the early days of Funny car in the late 60's. As the article states, he has already secured a site farther south of Phoenix on the 10 freeway. The closing is after the 2013 event and the new track will be open for the 2014 event.
A lot of people complained about the condition of the track, it was on leased land, and they were reluctant to put major capital improvements in as this day has been coming for awhile with all the casinos around the track. Hopefully the new track will be a big improvement.
A lot of people complained about the condition of the track, it was on leased land, and they were reluctant to put major capital improvements in as this day has been coming for awhile with all the casinos around the track. Hopefully the new track will be a big improvement.
Rumor mill, part 2.....
Supposedly, the head of operations at Firebird called a meeting between himself and some locals, last night, and announced the 3/30 closing to them. He also (allegedly) indicated that the indian tribe would consider renewing the lease, but not without wholesale improvements to the track. He also (allegedly) indicated that this Charlie Allen dude has no plans to build a new track.
Sounds like all we're doing is guessing at this point. Over and out, until something concrete is confirmed.
Supposedly, the head of operations at Firebird called a meeting between himself and some locals, last night, and announced the 3/30 closing to them. He also (allegedly) indicated that the indian tribe would consider renewing the lease, but not without wholesale improvements to the track. He also (allegedly) indicated that this Charlie Allen dude has no plans to build a new track.
Sounds like all we're doing is guessing at this point. Over and out, until something concrete is confirmed.
Old Guy Rookie
Nitro Member
Firebird was showing its age anyway, the facilities are in desperate need of updating. Do we know yet if this affects any of the other tracks like the off-road and lake, or is this just the strip?
TooTall999
Nitro Member
Official Firebird Staff
Charlie Allen - President
Franki Buckman - Vice-President
Kinda explains who this Charlie Allen dude is eh?
Charlie Allen - President
Franki Buckman - Vice-President
Kinda explains who this Charlie Allen dude is eh?
my friends call me Zappy
Nitro Member
Always good to hear about a new track.I wonder.......2 lane or 4???
Sorry if I insulted you or him....I live in north Texas, I've never been to Phoenix or to the Firebird track, so you'll excuse me for not knowing. I'm a corporate (small one) President myself, and nobody knows who I am, either.....or cares.
The Counterfeiter
Nitro Member
The Indian Community also has a virtually new hotel/casino across the street from the track. Makes me wonder if any of this is true. Also - what is going to happen to Bondurant School of Driving ? THe track needs upgrades because Charlie knew this could occur at any time and chose not to invest without a commitment from the Tribal Community.
The gossip on another board is that Charlie has no intention of building another track. He built this one in around '84. Pretty big undertaking to do it again now, he may choose not to. It's a shame if it closes, Phoenix is such a big market, and there's lots of racers there.
Old Guy Rookie
Nitro Member
The loss will force the racers to either Speedworld, (which has its own problems last I heard,) or Tucson and the IHRA. Speedworld is nowhere near a national caliber facility that could host the AZ Nats, so we'd permanently lose the pros.
The Little Lizard
Nitro Member
Always good to hear about a new track.
Yes, I agree! Especially the new one planned for Chowchilla, California
Yes, I agree! Especially the new one planned for Chowchilla, California
Spanish tranlation for Chowchilla is Banning.
Nick Name
Nitro Member
Last edited:
d'kid
Nitro Member
Spanish tranlation for Chowchilla is Banning.
I thought Chowchilla translated to "Pipedream".
Another question, just how old is Charlie now? Early 70's?
d'kid
Don't you brain surgeons have anything better to do than to argue about whether or not I should know who Charlie Allen is?
I recognize the car and driver, now that you posted a picture of it, but since it hasn't raced in 40 years I didn't immediately equate Firebird's current boss with it.
For what it's worth, I made my first pass down our local track the same day Eddie Hill was doing some testing. That would have been 1963. What an idiot I am...49 years in the sport and I didn't remember who Charlie Allen was.
yoda
Nitro Member
I find this thread to be quite ironic, taking into account how many on this board have called the place "Fireturd."
I guess it's really true. You really DON'T know what ya got 'till it's gone!
Make no mistake, David- this track ain't no gem on the circuit. But take into consideration an average of 130 days a year of 100 degree plus weather, dust storms, monsoon storms and suspect repairs over the years, and you get why the track has its nickname.
Its going to be interesting getting an investor to cover the new track proposal, but there's historically a substancial car culture in Arizona, so selling the project to Casa Grande would be a bit easier to do than battling all the California local legislature and tree huggers...
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