Re: phoenix crash
 

Sorry, but I surely disagree w/that. A racer deserves certain things when he pays the entry fee and decides to go and compete----ESPECIALLY for a National or Divisonal event. Poor track prep, very narrow grooves due to skimpy track prep, bumpy track, dips in track surface, etc. just don't cut it to be hosting ANY sanctioned event. You pay to belong to a sanctioning body---you deserve more. If things aren't safe, shut it down and make it safe, or finish it up someplace else that is. Then, dump that venue.....there are plenty of good tracks around the western/southwestern US that would love to host a NHRA event of this magnitude, this time of year, that know what it takes to run a SAFE, SMOOTHLY RUN event that could send the competetitors home saying that a poor track wasn't a factor----whether or not those racers went out in the 1st round, or went home a winner. It's about time for all racers to do what the ProStock teams did at Firebird last weekend after nothing was done to correct a ill-prepared, unsafe track----PACK UP AND LEAVE. Then maybe someone will start paying attention, because we all know, it's all about MONEY. If the racers start walking away from crappy venues, the circus owners will have NOTHING.....My sincere thoughts.....WJ

Re: phoenix crash
 

Then, dump that venue.....there are plenty of good tracks around the western/southwestern US that would love to host a NHRA event of this magnitude

The problem is there are no QUALITY tracks capable of holding a National event in the southwest besides Vegas.

Re: phoenix crash
 

So give another major event to Vegas.....If they're first class-----reward them for being first 1st class! It's time to dump the donkeys that don't spend any money to improve their venue, even though they're hosting a National event. WJ

Re: phoenix crash
 

Vegas has 2 nationals now, you want them to have 3? There are no other tracks to host a nat on the west coast and support a pro car. This is where it all started and we have very little left.

Re: phoenix crash
 

Then step up to the plate and do the track over....many other track owners have done the same---it works. Like they say: "Build it and they will come!" :)WJ

Re: phoenix crash
 

How do you expect Charlie to do that ??
He does NOT own the land and the Indian tribe that owns the land wants him GONE !
Finding other land for a strip and getting thru all the red tap would be very expensive.
He's between a "rock & a hard place"...........sad for the racers in that area.

Re: phoenix crash
 

John, Think I read in a previous post somewhere here that Charlie and a partner are negotiating a deal to take over a track in Wash., maybe? Someone said the native Americans want to re-locate Firebird 5 mi. away from where it is now? Build it, put a casino next to it, "And they will come".:DWJ

Re: phoenix crash
 

Lets see if i understand this the track is unsafe to race on the poeple that own the land want it gone and the renter of the track either can't afford to fix it or will not so you say we must just race on it anyway and take our chances, well that's just stupid if it's not safe for any car it's not safe for all cars period, if it's not fixed then there is no choise but to race somewhere else, the argument that it's the only track in this area doesn't work. If one car or anybody is hurt because of track conditions then that is to many, if you can't afford to travel to pomona or vegas or sonoma then maybe you should race brackets or combo's at speedworld.

Re: phoenix crash
 

As was said, he does not own the land. His lease is up shorty and he just bought in to an IHRA in Washington, I think he wants out. He will never sink the $ in to make it a first class venue. Other than Speedworld he has had the only game in town for many many years and had no problem gaining customers, Orange County always had a full house also. (He ran that track prior to Firebird)

BTW, I am of NO relation, just unfortunately have the same name.

Re: phoenix crash
 

Charlie, does the tribe own the track, and do you know if they built the facility, or is there a 3rd party involved in Firebird? Thanks. WJ