Firebird, Phoenix closing?

[Gary H]

Anyone heard anything? Heard that from a friend today that got it from someone that works there.... Wouldnt think it's true with the new stands and tower work they did... but...

 

[Nunz]

I hope it isn't true, but anything is possible, since Charlie Allen doesn't own the land, I believe he leases it from an Indian tribe. But I have heard these rumors years ago, hope they are still just rumors. Maybe Doc & his boys have some insight.

 

[Mike]

Hope its not true but this comes up every year.

 

[Buzzz Miller]

We hear it every year. When the indians really want it back, they will take it. But until then, we will hear the rumors again and again. If things go that way, someone will step up and make a strip here. So it could be bad in the short term, but good in the long term.
But until the Indians need that land more than they need the income it produces, the strip will stay.

 

[Draw 3D]

Doesn't make sense to me. Charlie signed a long-term lease, the facility is making money for the Indian Reservation and recent improvements sounds like its staying.

I could see if they maybe wanted to build another casino, but they have so much room, and from what I have been told, the track and the casinos feed each other customers, so I doubt its demise.

 

[Butch]

Oh boy a brand new Beeline Dragway coming soon. Not LOL

 

[Nick Name]

I heard that after he got booted from OCIR, that he had the indians sign him to a 99 year lease before he would build the track.

Jay

 

[The Counterfeiter]

I heard that after he got booted from OCIR, that he had the indians sign him to a 99 year lease before he would build the track.

That 99 year lease is meaningless - Native American communities are exempt from Federal and State laws. If the Gila River tribe wants the land they can take it at any time. Mr. Allen has been criticized for years for not dumping millions into improving the facility - looks like there may be a reason for that strategy. If you're a racer and run out the back door . . . keep going towards Tucson. You might find something.

 

[Ma Green]

The fact that I am not a member of the Cheap Charlie fan club, he was not booted out of OCIR, the track was closed by the Irvine Company. Beeline was already there, had been for years. He didn't have to build anything.

 

[Draw 3D]

Beeline was already there, had been for years. He didn't have to build anything.

Actually, Firebird is nowhere near the old Beeline, and, they did have to build the track at Firebird.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Actually, Firebird is nowhere near the old Beeline, and, they did have to build the track at Firebird.

Paul is correct!
They not only built the drag race track with it's facilities, they built the lake, road courses, driving school and much more over the years. On one hand, I can clearly understand Cheap Charlie's reluctance to develop further on property he only leases but our demographic, weather and fan base now cries for a new, first rate track to be built that could rival a Bruton Smith facility. That gives me a great idea!

 

[JL]

That gives me a great idea!

Bobby, first you have to know a guy that can get his hands on some land...

 

[Ma Green]

I stand corrected....however, I didn't recall Charlie having anything to do with the construction. But, again, I might be wrong.

 

[Nick Name]

Charlie did in fact get booted from OCIR by the Irvine Co. when they wanted to close the track. He leased the bare land from the indians and built Firebird.

Jay