While racetracks generate revenue, for the space they take up theyre not highly profitable. Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. 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. The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona, has announced that the 2023 NHRA race will serve as the final event for the facility. Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons in the Dry Fork area of Escalante Utah offer backpacking hikers scenic views without special gear or know-how. 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. Drivers tell us that will result in more racers turning to the streets. Meet three National Ability Center staffers who live outdoor adventuring. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has been a legal option for racers over the past four decades. 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. The study will also determine how construction should be implemented over time, and in segments, if funding is allocated over several years. 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. Though they might look like domesticated horses, they're far from it. How a series of hiking and camping trips in Utahs parks and wilderness put Elisabeth Brentano on a transformative journey from urbanite to nature lover. Everybody wants a GTR, a Tesla, they want to go out and they want to see what it can do," says Kyle Fritz, driver. Local news station ABC 15 ran an article after the closure was announced. They are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver. 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. Learn more Its YOUR turn to get behind the wheel of our fleet of exotic cars in Phoenix, AZ. The construction project is slated to cost nearly $140 million. This study is focused on the 26-mile section of I-10 between the Loop 202 interchange south of Phoenix to just south of the State Route (SR) 387 interchange near Casa Grande. Learn why a Toyota commercial exposes everything wrong with automakers today here. John Forces eight wins in Phoenix leads all Funny Car drivers. Next Group, You dont have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. All of the funding for this project, according to ADOTs tentative five-year plan, will come from the Regional Area Road Fund. Installing freeway management technology to allow for the installation of sensors, cameras, variable message signs and other highway safety-related technology. Tell us about your experiences, and share your photos if you have any! Just over a year ago, there was a proposed plan to redevelop the increasingly valuable land Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park now occupies. The Wild Horse 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. WebThese are general rules and guidelines for the 2023 Summit ET Series at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Previous Group HomeBusiness NewsHighway construction will close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park after nearly 40 years, The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler is set to run its final NHRA event in 2023. CHANDLER One of only two racetracks left in Arizona, is set to close. Extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane in each direction on I-10 from Loop 202 to Riggs Road. "They posted this thing about this place closing, it's just like, why don't you just rip my heart out?" 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. Take I-80 West to the Tooele exit, then drive on Highway 36 through Rush Valley. May 2023 I mean, with production vehicles continuing to get faster and faster. Whether you come to watch and relax or try out your skills, this is the event for you. Every racer who chooses to sign up accumulates points for each race in which they participate. American racetracks are dying in droves and nobody in government at the city, county, or state level seems to care. This is an 8 race series. ADOT documents reveal that a general public lane and a HOV lane will be added in each direction. So much so, that Food and beer vendors will be on site. This section of I-10 has been labeled as the Wild Horse Pass Corridor. Love Utah? 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. NHRA officials say that the series will look at venues not currently on the NHRA schedule to fill the void, starting in 2024. 01 GeNeral. A new overpass that is planned for the widening of several miles of Interstate 10 will take the space that currently occupies part of the facility, according to a Wild Horse Pass release. The tracks and other facilities in the park are doomed thanks to an expansion project for Interstate 10 in the Phoenix Metro Area. From narrow slot canyons to grand sweeping vistas, sandstone plateaus to meandering rivers, San Rafael Country and the San Rafael Swell are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Utah. Instead, some may take their chance on city streets. Know how to stay safe and informed during your Utah trip and who is helping when you get into trouble. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Arizonas stop in the NHRA schedule was moved to its current February slot in 1990. The date and ticket information for the historic finale of the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park will be announced later. Valley police say they are an ongoing, growing problem. The rumor is its been sold to a non-racing party or in other words its most likely a goner. For more Utah fun, take these 7 Utah treetop adventures. In this years penultimate race at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park February 25-27, Matt Hagan reset the Funny Car track record in his Tony Stewart Racing Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, running 3.823-seconds at 333.41mph, while Brittany Forces 2020 Top Fuel record is at 3.643-sec and 3378.92 mph. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Then again, with law enforcement leveling fines and seizing the cars owned by street racers, maybe the decision by the government to not support building new tracks is really about money as well. To find the horses, you'll drive many miles from civilization, and much of your trip will be via a dirt road. The Chandler venue does not just host the NHRA, though. Watch this video of a guided experience canyoneering in the remote Robbers Roost. 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. WebClose this search box. Utah offers all kinds of adventurous day trips for visitors start planning your getaway today. You may encounter horses near to the road, and some may even seem unafraid of you. Truth is, just setting foot on the centers 26-acre ranch can feel transformative. They dont care what these changes do to communities because they have to get paid, period. In coordination with the Gila River Indian Community, ADOT is committed to identifying and pursuing all possible funding options for improving this section of I-10, including federal funding options. WebWILD HORSE BECOMES THIRD NHRA NATIONAL EVENT TRACK CLOSING SINCE 2021 by Bobby Bennett Sat, 2022-03-26 17:15 RELATED ARTICLE - UPDATED: NHRA STANDS FIRM, ARIZONA NATIONALS RETURNING TO WILD HORSE PASS MOTORSPORTS PARK IN 2022 Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park hosted a round in the inaugural season of Nitro Rallycross, a rallycross series, on its off road course last year. Westwater Canyon Full-Day Rafting Adventure from Moab. WebAuto Club Raceway at Pomona [ Close Window]Close Window] A public meeting summary report is available on the Study Resources page. The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority just made the announcement, saying a new overpass for the I-10 extension will replace the track. 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. There are multiple parking lots on property, all equipped with handicapped parking. This family friendly event is filled with nonstop excitement. The park will celebrate its 40th year of NHRA racing during next years Arizona The Arizona Department of Transportations tentative Five-Year Transportation Facilities Construction Plan released on March 18 shows a blueprint to add capacity to a 26-mile stretch of I-10 leading up to the racetrack. It is said that Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world, and many of them are easily accessible. We have taken numerous steps for added cleaning, sanitation, and physical distancing. ADOT said in a statement that the funding for the project is allocated by the Maricopa Association of Governments. After 40 years of service with the NHRA, the track will say goodbye with next years event. WebIn the summer of 2019, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and partner agencies took the essential first step toward studying ways to increase the capacity of a 26mile section of Interstate 10 (I-10) south of the Phoenix metropolitan area. NHRA's 2023 race there will be the series' last stop there. Featuring Arizona Drag Racing Association (ADRA), Outlaw Pontiac Racers West, Super Comp, Super Gas & Super Street! Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. "Honestly, we're probably going to move after the track leaves. Drivers tell us that will result in more racers turning to the streets. The Wild Horse Park Development Authority says this is due to planned work on Interstate 10 near the area. After the 2023 NHRA Camping World event at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports park next winter, the facility will no longer exist. 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. Its a great resource with lots of helpful tips and some absolutely gorgeous photography by Robert Hammer. No additional public events will be held. Seeing wild horses is like taking a trip right back to the Old West, when these herds were much more common. Web1. Firebird Lake hosts drag boat races on an annual basis. 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. WebWild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona has been a race fan's go-to hangout since 1983, but it was called Firebird International Raceway then. 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. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has been a legal option for racers over the past four decades. Rawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass Apparently, beyond 2023 is another story. The NHRA is saying farewell to Phoenix in 2023. The study would conclude with a selected alternative and an associated cost estimate to design and construct it, should a build alternative be selected. The 2023 race date has yet to be released. 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. It provides even and exciting competition for the local racer, the backbone of NHRA. 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 - Since I live in the area and frequent there, this literally hits close to home for me. Wild horse herds are elusive. Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah yet. The only other racetrack in Arizona is in Tucson. Looking to venture beyond The Narrows and Angels Landing? If successful, the combination of state, local and federal funds will allow project construction to begin as quickly as possible without budgetary constraint delays, Note: All values above expressed in Fiscal Year 2024 dollars. 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. It's illegal to chase them or disturb them. WebWild Horse Pass Motorsports Park is located at 20000 S. Maricopa Rd, Chandler, AZ 85226, just south of Chandler along I-10 on the land of the Gila River Indian Community. In collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Maricopa Association of Governments, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Design Concept Report (DCR) for the Interstate 10 (I-10) Study: Loop 202 to State Route 387 (SR 387). WebRawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park take our guests and our associates safety as our highest priority. The tracks and other facilities in the park are doomed thanks to an expansion project for Interstate 10 in properties. The improvements for this 26-mile corridor are about $990 million (including the Gila River Bridge replacement project). It is the last remaining segment of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has only two lanes in each direction. 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. Leveraging this state and local funding, ADOT applied for a federal MEGA grant to close the gap of approximately $360 million. We know this final race will be a celebration that NHRA fans are famous for.. (Photo by Susan Wong /Cronkite News) "I think a lot of young people are going to inevitably go to the street. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards. Refer to the 2023 NHRA Rulebook for complete tech requirements and competition rules. Find a guide to take you canyoneering in Utah. In this part of Utah, you can almost forget that 1.5 million people live in the valley just west of the mountains. By Engine Builder. The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler is set to run its final NHRA event in 2023. Due to record snowpack and high amounts of spring runoff, please be advised of potential flooding that could impact travel plans. Whether youre a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure. While we love writing about amazing opportunities like this, we hope that none of our readers will bring harm to these beautiful horses. $235.00. "It's going to promote street activities that I think are dangerous," says another driver. Thats not true of all enthusiasts, but to ignore the problem by only focusing on part of the group would be dishonest. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. The NHRA Arizona Nationals have provided NHRA fans countless memories for many years, and our race teams, partners, and NHRA officials look forward to celebrating the track in 2023 as we close out this chapter in NHRA history.. WebThe NHRA Summit ET Series is the largest drag racing series in the country with over 80,000 racers participating nationwide within 7 Divisions. Sign of the times? per adult. As a host of the NHRA Nationals, the track gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Whether you are driving an all out race car or your daily driver, you can race down the same 1/4 mile track that the NHRA Pro drivers do. When canyoneering through the Robbers Roost area, the power of nature is on full display in its slot canyons, landscapes and lingering traces of ancient inhabitants. Check the specific event for more detailed information on Spectator Info. Racing on streets, drifting and takeovers are all illegal. 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. If youre interested in viewing more of Utahs wild horse herds, visit WildHorseTourist.com. A drag racing tradition in Chandlers Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park that dates back to the 1980s is set to come to an end. The road is typically accessible to most vehicles as long as it's not muddy. 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. 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. If they feel threatened, they can injure you or themselves. The public hearings and associated public comment period were the last public events for this study. Unfortunately, weve all seen this same scenario play out endlessly just in the past few years. NHRA officials say 2023 will be final race weekend at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. RELATED ARTICLE -UPDATED: NHRA STANDS FIRM, ARIZONA NATIONALS RETURNING TO WILD HORSE PASS MOTORSPORTS PARK IN 2022. READ ALSO:15 must-see places for an Arizona road trip, Arizona has been an incredible supporter of the National Hot Rod Association and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park for the past four decades, and we are very grateful for this tremendous fan support, Elizabeth Antone, the interim general manager of the Wild Horse Pass Development Authority, said in a release on Friday. In addition to the no-build alternative, two build alternatives are being considered for I-10 through this 26mile segment. Get more stories delivered right to your email. WebIn 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. The NHRA has raced in Arizona every year since 1985 with the exception of 2021 due to COVID-19 protocols. Make sure you read up on wild horse herds and learn all you can about them before you hit the road to get the most of your Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011. Facility map. Matt Hagan set the track record in Funny Car at this years event in February, going 3.823-seconds at 333.41, while Brittany Force went 3.643 at 337.92 to set the Top Fuel track records in 2020. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Fan Info. Mar 26, 2022 NHRA/National Dragster The NHRA is saying farewell to Phoenix in 2023. All Rights Reserved. Utahs National Ability Center is known for changing lives through its adaptive recreation programs. For nearly 40 years, the NHRA, in conjunction with 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. From that first year until 1989, the event took place in October and was known as the Fallnationals. 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. The Final EA will provide responses to all comments received during the public review and comment period. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The public hearings were held on the following dates: The formal public comment period was open from Aug. 19 through Oct. 9, 2022. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Yet everyone cares about illegal street racing, which seem to be growing in popularity once more, and understandably so since its incredibly dangerous. RELATED STORY - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK CLOSING AFTER 2022 NHRA EVENT, WILD HORSE BECOMES THIRD NHRA NATIONAL EVENT TRACK CLOSING SINCE 2021. 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. Its not going anywhere, Young responded to CompetitionPlus.com in a January 23, 2021 article. MAG has been working closely with GRIC to advance plans for additional access to the Wild Horse Pass area and any future improvements will follow the required state, federal, and GRIC review and approval processes, the association said in a statement. Join us for another Go Fast Drift N Drag! Heres how to navigate Utah's backcountry safely. 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. The exact dates for the final edition of the NHRA Arizona Nationals at the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park next year are yet to be determined. The headline read: closing of valley racetrack could result in more street racing. Yes, its the most obvious statement ever, but what is anyone doing about it? If I were to try listing off all the tracks which have been shut down to make way for new developments, Id definitely miss at least a few, there are so many. On a typical Friday night you can expect to see everything from a mini van to an occasional jet car testing! Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, Trump accuser defends rape claim after judge denies mistrial, Michael J. Wild Horse Motorsports Pass joins Atlanta Dragway and Houston Raceway Park as tracks NHRA has lost to non-racing development since the pandemic hit in 2020. Recommended. That leaves the 26 miles of I-10 across the Gila River Indian Community as the only remaining stretch with two lanes in each direction. The Final EA and DCR are expected to be complete and available in early 2023. 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. Sign up for the Motorious Newsletter. Events at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park vary and so do the particulars surrounding each event. Documents the mitigations necessary to offset identified impacts associated with the preferred alternative. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. 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. See Zion dusted in snow on a winter escape to the east side where youll likely have the whole place to yourself.