Speedworld dies in AZ

[Otis857]

I'm new to this forum and know of a few familiar names form AZ here, but I dont know how many of you are into Off roading and in particular, off road racing. Speedworld is a facility on the west side of Phoenix that started out as a Drag strip in the early 60s. I think it was called Mel Larson's Phoenix Dragway back then. The current owners had improved it to include a Motocross track, a Off road truck track, put in a mud bog and sand drag track, even a paintball park and RC plane park, as well as keeping the drag strip. This is truly a multi use facility for the racing enthusiast. In the early 90's I raced my dirt bike on some of their grand prix races which incorporate Motocross and Desert racing into one course. This was of course before my injuries forced retirement from a sport I really loved. Good Times, Good Times!!

In a battle with Maricopa County, Speedworld was ordered to shut down its business yesterday over a "permitting dispute". Once again, narrow minded people in government positions of power have sought out and destroyed a popular recreational playground. This is a common problem nationwide, not just in Az & California. Dirt tracks of all types, all over the country are disappearing.

I suspect that the real reason has to do with its location. In the early days, this small drag strip was about 1/4 of the way from Phoenix to Wickenburg, and a far piece away from any housing development. Now, the Del Webb Retirement empire, Sun City is knocking on their back door and while housing development has all but stopped in AZ, their political pull is unbelievable. Could they be looking at land for a future development??? Things that make you say, Hmmm.

I for one, hope the lawyers for Dan Mathews, the owner, can hammer some agreement out with the county. Otherwise, yet another non Nascar racing facility in Arizona will bite the dust.

[Ryan]

It's amazing how governments can screw simple stuff up. My hometown Scribner, Ne had a drag strip and they would have, I think, national IHRA every year and ESPN would even televise the race. The owner wanted 2 miles of county roads paved, even offered to pay for half. County board said no so the owner closed it. Now its a corn field

[Otis857]

I've seen the major tracks in Az & Southern Cal die and its sad. As an AZ native, I used to drive a short distance to the desert for a day of fun on our off road toys. Now its a major trip that crosses a lot of open land that we used to use, but has been banned by the state or the feds. The Az forest is now going through the same fate. Back road after back road is being closed, for no legitimate reason.

[Slanted88]

I truly understand...Big business & the secret handshake under the table! We got that mess here in the panhandle!

[pyroman175]

It is a true fact, I'm almost sure it has to do with the land.. I'm into off road racing also, been doing the Baja 500 and 1000 for years now. If you look at how BLM is shutting down or downsizing the off road tracks its amazing... Hopefully you guys will get a track back soon somewhere close. Good luck


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[Otis857]

I hope he can hang on, but lawyer fees to fight the Govmint can run anyone broke. And these places run on a shoe string budget most of the time. They did get some big time exposure with the Lucas Off road series races there. Hang in there, Dan Mathews, we're pulling you!!

[chefrob]

... As an AZ native, I used to drive a short distance to the desert for a day of fun on our off road toys. Now its a major trip that crosses a lot of open land that we used to use, but has been banned by the state or the feds. The Az forest is now going through the same fate. Back road after back road is being closed, for no legitimate reason.

same here, as a kid we would take a short ride out at the white tanks and see nobody else all day. i also saw about the forest roads limited on a local power stroke forum.

[Otis857]

Sounds like we grew up on the same side of town. In the 70's, I used to go to the White Tanks and park at the flood control Dyke on Greenway rd. to ride Dirt Bikes. Kids & marriage put it off for a while, but in the late 80's-early 90's I used to ride with the Az Trail riders club on the North side of the White Tanks to the back side for about a 30 mile loop of Single Track Trails.

Housing and progress have taken that area too. Ah the good ol days!

[chefrob]

grew up on the westside 63rd & bethany.....now in tempe. i remember a buddy of mine moved to wickenburg area and we used to ride to the white tanks and back.....funny what pre and early teens could do back then.

[Otis857]

I grew up in the 35th & Glendale ave area. My ex had people around 59th & Bethany Home. Back in those days, we had a riding area only 4 miles away at 35th & Greenway, but the mass housing booms in Phoenix swallowed them up early on. Too bad, both of those areas where we grew up used to be average middle class neighborhoods, now they are part of the hood.

[smokerdean]

I just ran across the post regarding Speedworld closing while browsing the forum regarding Arizona posts. I hadn't heard about that possibility. I did some Googling and came across this page. Thought it might add some information:

Speedworld is NOT closing!

Speedworld Raceway Park has been asked to shut its doors after 51 years of doing business in Arizona. Maricopa County has determined that Speedworld is not in compliance with grading/drainage requirements and use permits that the county currently has in place.

Over the past 6 years, Dan Mathews, Speedworld’s owner has spent more than $200,000 on engineers, surveyors, traffic studies, and attorneys in an effort to meet the ever changing county requirements.
In our first attempt to meet Maricopa County’s requirements Speedworld had signed and submitted a compliance agreement that was prepared by the county, which would allow Speedworld to remain open for business while we worked to bring Speedworld into compliance.

After the county deposited Speedworld’s check for the fees that they requested, we were then presented with a different compliance agreement asking us to shut down all venues on the property, leaving only the dragstrip to remain open for business. This was not a viable option for us as Speedworld could not remain open for business relying solely on the revenue generated from the NHRA sanctioned dragstrip.

Maricopa County then presented Speedworld with a third compliance agreement which requests that we shut down completely until compliance requirements have been met.
After careful thought and consideration, we’ve determined that being asked to close our doors until meeting Maricopa County requirements is not a reasonable request.
We will continue to work towards complying with all county grading/drainage and use permit requirements and look forward to a swift and long term resolution to this issue.

Dan Matthews has a hearing scheduled with Maricopa County officials on August 21, 2012. In the meantime, Speedworld Raceway Park is open for business and will continue to run all scheduled 2012 events.

Please join the fight to keep Speedworld OPEN! Thanks for your support!