"It's going to promote street activities that I think are dangerous," says another driver. The public comment period began on October 21 and ended December 4, 2020. After 40 years of service with the NHRA, the track will say goodbye with next years event. 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. American racetracks are dying in droves and nobody in government at the city, county, or state level seems to care. Rawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass Three in-person and one virtual public hearing were held to provide an overview of the draft EA and DCR, share ADOTs preliminary recommendation and accept public comment. If youre interested in viewing more of Utahs wild horse herds, visit WildHorseTourist.com. These magnificent animals are so beautiful that you'll want to spend as much time observing them as possible. Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. 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 WebAuto Club Raceway at Pomona [ Close Window]Close Window] 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. WebRawhide Western Town & Event Center and Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park take our guests and our associates safety as our highest priority. If they feel threatened, they can injure you or themselves. CHANDLER One of only two racetracks left in Arizona, is set to close. Wildhorse Pass Motorsports Park Closing in 2023 By az57chevy March 28, 2022 in Off Topic Share az57chevy Senior Member 1k Posted March 28, 2022 Three NHRA tracks have closed since 2021. Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. Want to visit the awesome Antelope Canyon? Food and beer vendors will be on site. we have been awarded the Healthy Verify Certification for our Highway construction to close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park We have racing on the drag strip and hot lap drifting. The Final EA will provide responses to all comments received during the public review and comment period. 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. The same information was presented at each hearing. If you missed the public hearings, the recording of the online hearing can be found here: In collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community, BIA, FHWA and MAG, ADOT has prepared an environmental study for I-10 from Loop 202 to SR 387 under NEPA and an engineering study to evaluate improvements to I-10. For more information on the I-10 Bridge Project, please click here. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. Adding a new general purpose lane in the median in both the east- and westbound directions for the entire 26-mile corridor. Removal of Dirk Lay Road crossing over I-10 and the return of the associated easement/right-of-way. The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority just made the announcement, saying a new overpass for the I-10 extension will replace the track. 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. Due to record snowpack and high amounts of spring runoff, please be advised of potential flooding that could impact travel plans. This study is important because I-10 supports significant commercial and economic growth for the region, state and nation, and is considered a Key Commerce Corridor. Developing an I-10 vision and strategy to meet future needs. from. You may encounter horses near to the road, and some may even seem unafraid of you. Join us for another Go Fast Drift N Drag! Learn why a Toyota commercial exposes everything wrong with automakers today here. 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. 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.. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. One of only two racetracks left in Arizona, is set to close. It's a loss to those who make a life out of this popular family sport and something many racers aren't willing to give up. They dont care what these changes do to communities because they have to get paid, period. See Zion dusted in snow on a winter escape to the east side where youll likely have the whole place to yourself. NHRAs Jeffrey Young responded to rumors which suggested that Wild Horse Motorsports Park, located outside of Phoenix, was going away as a drag racing venue. Head to East Zion to glimpse wondrous slot canyons, soaring sandstone monoliths and crimson-colored cliffs without the crowds. 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. This family friendly event is filled with nonstop excitement. Yet everyone cares about illegal street racing, which seem to be growing in popularity once more, and understandably so since its incredibly dangerous. Arizona Department of Transportation GRIC race Home - Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Arizona Racetrack Closing Signals A Much Bigger Problem Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park May 2023 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. Highway construction will close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports 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 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., RELATED STORY - ATLANTA DRAGWAY TO HOST FINAL EVENT IN 2021. Heres how to navigate Utah's backcountry safely. WebThese are general rules and guidelines for the 2023 Summit ET Series at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. The NHRA is saying farewell to Phoenix in 2023. The rumor is its been sold to a non-racing party or in other words its most likely a goner. It's illegal to chase them or disturb them. The 2023 race date has yet to be released. Next Group, You dont have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. Thats not true of all enthusiasts, but to ignore the problem by only focusing on part of the group would be dishonest. We have taken numerous steps for added cleaning, sanitation, and physical distancing. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park We have taken numerous steps for added cleaning, sanitation, and physical distancing. 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. National Hot Rod Association | Online Ticket Office | Seating Charts Arizona's Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park To Close For Good In Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler has been a legal option for racers over the past four decades. NHRA's 2023 race there will be the series' last stop there. The facility has hosted NHRA racing since 1985. 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. Events at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park vary and so do the particulars surrounding each event. It is the last remaining segment of I-10 between Phoenix and Tucson that has only two lanes in each direction. Apr 2, 2022 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 master plan showed a blueprint to develop the area where the drag race track and Firebird Lake is now, with additional hotels, corporate offices, mixed-use commercial buildings and new restaurants. Plan a photographic getaway today! Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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. This study is also evaluating extending the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on I-10 from Loop 202 south to the Riggs Road interchange with median widening. Truth is, just setting foot on the centers 26-acre ranch can feel transformative. ADOT documents reveal that a general public lane and a HOV lane will be added in each direction. 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. Please use the contact form or the methods listed below to send questions, comments, and feedback to the project team. NHRA officials say that the series will look at venues not currently on the NHRA schedule to fill the void, starting in 2024. This is an 8 race series. 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. RELATED STORY - HOUSTON RACEWAY PARK CLOSING AFTER 2022 NHRA EVENT, WILD HORSE BECOMES THIRD NHRA NATIONAL EVENT TRACK CLOSING SINCE 2021. So much so, that As a host of the NHRA Nationals, the track gets hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. On a typical Friday night you can expect to see everything from a mini van to an occasional jet car testing! per adult. 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. Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah yet. 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. 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? To find the horses, you'll drive many miles from civilization, and much of your trip will be via a dirt road. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park to close In 2023, become highway overpass By Andrew Wolf | Dragzine Little more than a year ago, information came to light regarding proposed redevelopment plans by the The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority (WHGPDA) for the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park near Phoenix, Arizona. The Final EA and DCR are expected to be complete and available in early 2023. 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 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. Finally, the study is evaluating an option that would add a broadband fiber optic facility into the I-10 corridor. In the Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park, youll find a scenic wonderland with an adventure for everyone. Visit Utah for spelunking and cave exploration. Copyright 2023 Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park Anyone can participate! 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. What drives the closure of so many tracks and motorsports parks usually comes down to one thing: money. Our car experts choose every product we feature. Local news station ABC 15 ran an article after the closure was announced. Will select a preferred alternative based on technical analysis and agency and public feedback received. Evaluated the alternatives and options costs, right-of-way implications, engineering factors and environmental considerations. All of the funding for this project, according to ADOTs tentative five-year plan, will come from the Regional Area Road Fund. A massive tectonic cave system located just 15 miles outside of St. George makes Bloomington Cave bucket list worthy. Please don't approach the animals; view them from a distance. A public meeting summary report is available on the Study Resources page. A drag racing tradition in Chandlers Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park that dates back to the 1980s is set to come to an end. For nearly 40 years, the NHRA, in conjunction with WebClose this search box. 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. WebContact Us Contact Info Address Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park 20000 S Maricopa Rd Chandler, AZ 85226 Phone (520) 796-5601 Email contact In a late-night news release on Friday evening, NHRA revealed next years Arizona Nationals would be its last. Have you ever seen any of Utahs wild horse herds? Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Friday Night Run What You Brung open drags have been a staple of the Arizona racing community for over 25 years. WebLIKELY TO SELL OUT*. In 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. There are multiple parking lots on property, all equipped with handicapped parking. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park has seen several historic and record performances on its dragstrip, including Tony Schumachers historic 330-mph run in 1999. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park 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. With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. Sign of the times? Highway Construction To Close Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park After Nearly Four Decade NHRA Run March 31, 2022 Cronkite News The Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler is set to run its final NHRA event in 2023. ADOT held a virtual public meeting on November 18, 2020. Whether youre a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure. Apr 6, 2022. Dead Horse Point Half-Day Guided Mountain Biking Tour in Moab. This proposal was made with the existing I-10 framework. 0:29 This weekend, a long-standing tradition of speed and prestige will come to an end. In this part of Utah, you can almost forget that 1.5 million people live in the valley just west of the mountains. 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). 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. 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. Documents the mitigations necessary to offset identified impacts associated with the preferred alternative. 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. As mentioned above, I-10 consists of three lanes in each direction between SR 387 near Casa Grande and Tucson. 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, NHRA President Glen Cromwell said in a statement on Friday. 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. Pass Motorsports Park Closing Seeing wild horses is like taking a trip right back to the Old West, when these herds were much more common. For ET Finals information, see the "2023 NHRA SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT ET GUIDELINES" document near the bottom of this page. Closing Know Your Herd. 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. You can take a drive to see these majestic animals. 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. 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 road is typically accessible to most vehicles as long as it's not muddy. Slot Canyons in Utah - Top Slot Canyons | Visit Utah This section of I-10 has been labeled as the Wild Horse Pass Corridor. They are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver. Its not going anywhere, Young responded to CompetitionPlus.com in a January 23, 2021 article. Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park (AZ) to Close After 2023 NHRA Recommended. Take advantage of the variety of climbing available to enjoy this scenic winter climbing destination. Improving I-10 across the Gila River Indian Community is a project of regional significance for Arizona. 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. 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. The public hearings were held on the following dates: The formal public comment period was open from Aug. 19 through Oct. 9, 2022. From that first year until 1989, the event took place in October and was known as the Fallnationals. Theres truly no sight in the world like that of wild horses running free. This segment of I-10 is critical for Arizonas economy, as it links the states largest metropolitan areas of Phoenix and Tucson while also providing a key link for the national and international movement of freight. Drivers tell us that will result in more racers turning to the streets. Little Wild Horse Canyon - Tripadvisor "Honestly, we're probably going to move after the track leaves. Instead, some may take their chance on city streets. Tucson Dragway has been rumored as another venue. Thank you! Upcoming Events Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park The park will celebrate its 40th year of NHRA racing during next years Arizona Meet three National Ability Center staffers who live outdoor adventuring. Fan Info. In addition to the no-build alternative, two build alternatives are being considered for I-10 through this 26mile segment. Highway construction to close Wild Horse Pass 25-year-old Kyle Fritz has been racing at Wild Horse Pass since he was fifteen. The land will probably become the site of some luxury condos or something like that. Watch for the turnoff to Fish Spring Wildlife Refuge, then turn onto Lookout Pass Road. The Bureau of Land Management manages 22 herds of wild horses in Utah, but the most accessible to the public is the Onaqui herd in the West Desert. 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.