Firebird Motorsports Park

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.

Track officials announced that the track would change the name of the facility to Firebird Motorsports Park which is a reference to the original name of the facility.

Track records

Race lap records

The fastest official race lap records at the Firebird Motorsports Park are listed as:

Drag strip records

Layout configurations

File:WHP Motorsports Park Main Full.png|Main Course File:WHP Motorsports Park West Full.png|West Course File:WHP Motorsports Park East Full.png|East Course File:WHP Motorsports Park Bondurant Full.png|Radford Racing Course File:WHP Motorsports Park Boundrant West Main Combined.png|West, Radford Racing and Main Courses combined

References

References

1. "What to watch for when NHRA returns to Wild Horse Pass this weekend". azcentral.com.
2. "1985 Fallnationals".
3. "Senna at Indycar? Check out the backstage of the historic test with Penske".
4. "Firebird Raceway faces demise as lease runs out". Phoenix Business Journal.
5. (1 April 2013). "Firebird Raceway's last night out bittersweet for fans". KJZZ.
6. (29 March 2013). "Firebird International Raceway to close in April". KJZZ.
7. "Firebird Raceway Gets New Lease As Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park". Dragzine.
8. "Goodbye, Firebird Raceway — hello, Wild Horse Motorsports Park". NBS Sports.
9. "Repaved, renovated Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park ready for 1st major test run". azcentral.com.
10. "Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park gearing up for first NHRA event". Ahwatukee Foothills News.
11. "Force, Kalitta and McGaha fastest on opening day at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park". motorsport.com.
12. (30 March 2022). "NHRA facing end of road in Arizona as highway construction dooms Wild Horse Pass track". azcentral.com.
13. (31 March 2022). "Highway construction to close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park after nearly four decade NHRA run". Arizona PBS.
14. "Legendary Wild Horse raceway closing for good".
15. (December 7, 2023). "Arizona Nationals Return To Renamed Firebird Motorsports Park". [[Speed Sport]].
16. (17 May 1987). "300 km Firebird [GT]".
17. (21 April 1985). "Trans-Am Firebird 1985".
18. "NHRA Arizona Nationals Sunday preview".