Re: Bad News from out West
 

Patti,

What do you know about this place? I followed along on their website while it was being built, the photos looked nice. It seems they quit running after a season? It can't be more than 2-3 years old? Just wondered, with Manzy closing, if anyone is looking at this place?

David.

http://www.westvalleyspeedway.com/index.html

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Originally Posted by Ovalmeister:
Patti,

What do you know about this place? I followed along on their website while it was being built, the photos looked nice. It seems they quit running after a season? It can't be more than 2-3 years old? Just wondered, with Manzy closing, if anyone is looking at this place?

David.

http://www.westvalleyspeedway.com/index.html

David,

I have never heard of the place but it is quite interesting you brought this up. While having breakfast with some of my neighbors yesterday one of them asked about my racing, these are people that have no interest in racing actually. Anyway when I told them about Manzy closing one of them spoke up and said does that mean they will open up the closed track. I assumed because alot of people on Saturday were talking about the Indian land on the east side of the valley that was what he meant. I will have to do some investigating. The IMCA Modifieds were one of the divisions scheduled to run Manzy this year. You have given me something to be hopeful about, if there is a race track already built maybe with some revamping there could be a Western Worlds this year. I remember when I moved to the west valley there was a racing facility west of Luke Air Force Base I believe that was always doing battle with the town. I thought that was more of a road course type place, and the town was always on them about noise restrictions.
If my memory isn't failing me I believe they had pending lawsuits because of the amount of money the devolper had lost but I have heard nothing about that place in several years. The only dirt tracks I have been to are Manzy, Canyon, Casa Grande and USA Raceway, Tucson. Will see what I can find out.

Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

David, a funny tid bit jumped out at me from the West Valley Speedway link "For West Valley's premiere division Hollywood's Body & Paint IMCA Modified's". One of the people buying the Manzy name just so happends to have the first name of Hollywood. So maybe some one does know where this track is? Or maybe there is no connection between the two Hollywood's, I don't know the man that has been promoting Manzy named Hollywood. Just thought it was kind of interesting though.

Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Patti,

I wouldn't know why someone wouldn't jump on this track. Obviously I don't know anything about why they aren't running, legal issues or whatever, like you said.
I remember when they were building it, maybe 3 years ago at the most. Every 2 weeks or so they would update the website with progress photos. It looked really nice. The stands looked new, not old ones shipped over from another track. The track looked wide and maybe a 3/8s, semi-banked, lots of runoff area (no wall except frontstretch), nice new looking catch fence and big pit area.
If you know anyone from the SCOA (winged sprints) ask them because I thought I remember they had races scheduled there. I wish their website still had photos of the track because I thought it was more than adequate to host a good sprint race. I remember thinking at the time that I hoped midgets would race there.
Anyway, something to snoop into.

David.

Re: Bad News from out West
 

David & Patti,
Yes they did build the track it is located at the Speedworld motorplex off of Jomax rd. and Grand ave. I think they had a few dirt modified races & mini sprints, but was in no shape to handle sprint cars from what I heard, but the pictures when it was in the early stages did have a sprint car hot lapping, so with the right people behind it, it could be a great place for future racing. It is only a 3/8's though, not sure if they have the space to build a great half-mile like Manzy. We can only hope.

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Sprintsrgr8, thank you for the information.

Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Steve Purcell was the gentleman's name that was putting that particular track together.
They did get those really nice grand stands from PIR when they (PIR) did all of the refurbishing to the back straight.
A few of the problems that they encountered while building it was that they did not bring in enough clay or pull all of the rocks out of the race surface. We took one of our micro's out there at Steve's request and pretty much beat the crap out of it on a practice session. There were so many rocks and what not out there that it would take a long time and a lot of money to get it in racing condition.
As far as the area there is plenty of room if someone decided that they wanted to cut in a 1/2 mile no problem.
When they were cutting the layout of the track, they decided that it was going to be a 3/8 mile..... why? I am not really sure. The track itself is a spitting image of Casa Grande. Same banking and the whole nine yards. Hell, we used our Casa Grande gear and it worked perfect. I figured that they should have done something different (1/4 with a half outside) to have been successful.
The pits were enormous and could accommodate any size rig and many of them to boot.
The biggest of the problems was dust control. They were told many many many times by the land owner that they could not stir up dust as the drags are directly east of the track. Being how the man that owns the land is a huge drag race guy.... it pretty much sealed the fate with the dust issue. They did run out of money as well. That may have been a small issue.
I think that it would be a bad idea to try and make that particular track the next Manzy because of the dust control problems. The pits but up against the drags and I just don't see the dust staying under control.
BTY..... they did have a handful of IMCA races there during the summer. Steve wanted to build that track for the simple reason of running IMCA Mods. This was all about the time that Barnett came and got their foot in with Canyon , Manzy and Tucson and he despised Barnett. If you need more info than that let me know.... I was privy to the goings on out there.
I almost forgot the Hollywood part.... Hollywood Leary is or was the current/former promoter for Manzy...... not one of the people involved in buying the track. Hollywood is actively looking for a new site for the new Manzanita Speedway. He owns a few different body shops throughout the valley and sponsors quite a few different race cars as well. His name popped up from the sponsorship deal with all of the cars and being associated with West Valley Speedway when it was up and running.

Re: Bad News from out West
 

I first attended this track in 1955 with my dad.Ran full house jalopies which grew to super then sprints.I use play alot after school with Dee Jones brother.I attended races weekly from late 60s to late 70s.Would return for Western Worlds until i moved to Ms.I was employed by Mel And Don Martin for a period of time.One of my first dates with my lovely wife Connie was the 1976 Western World.It is sad to see track close.I have many memories .Dick Sutcliff leaving the track a landing on 35th ave.Wayne Weiler making a comeback to win then retiring for good.Watching Ron Shuman mature as a driver from supers on fridays to winner on Saturday in Sprints.Watching Buddy Taylor work the low groove to many wins.Billy Shuman winning with a lil 289 ford.The Legend Leland McSpadden running the wall never letting up.My friendship with Bob Cleberg in later years in Tucson.So many people do depend on this track for thier livelyhood.Bobby and Mel had outside issues which may have force the sale of this track.So be kind to this racing family as Mel and Don did promote Big car races at Az Fairgrounds the mile track.I have been lucky enough to attend last 2 Westerns and Coppers. I promoted a midget race at Casa Grande in the 80s .Quickly found out i was in wrong business .Better as a mechanic.Speedword had a TQ track in the 80s so this west valley must be same track.There was a 3/8 mile at Firebird in 80s also.Casa Grande I'm sure could be reopen if right folks put up the dollars.There was some missing accounting the last time it was open.Peace

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Ok, let me throw this one out there. For those in attendance last month at Manzy remember the helicopter that landed in turn two? Well the first two guys that got out stopped at BC's pit to check out a midget. We got talking and these two were big RC guys and they said that they were flown in from "Speedworld" out by Luke AFB. I had never heard of the place. They said the helicopter went back to get the guy that invited them to fly out to Manzy. I don't recall his name. He wanted them to see some real racing. The way they talked this guy was someone important. (read $$$ helicopter and all). Don't know if it means anything, but it sounds interesting. Wish I had paid attention to the names...

Re: Bad News from out West
 

The Press release from the track: :checkered:

Manzanita Speedway - Over the years

Manzanita Speedway, widely regarded as one of the top three dirt tracks in the country and an oval that helped spawn the careers of Al Unser Jr. and JJ Yeley, among others, has been sold and is closing its doors after a 58-year run.

The final race is scheduled for April 11.
"This is a very sad day for auto racing," said longtime Manzy announcer/public-relations manager William "Windy" McDonald, who started at the track in 1957. "When the final lap is run, I want to be sure and shake everyone's hand going out the gate."

Southwest Industrial Rigging purchased Manzanita from co-owner Mel and son Bobby Martin for an amount the younger Martin said was between "$10 (million) and $20 million." The Martins bought the track, which encompasses 38 acres on the southeast corner of 35th Avenue and Broadway Road, in August 2007 for $3.5 million.

"I haven't slept two hours a night since we agreed to sell two weeks ago," said Bobby Martin, who is 59. "I was 2 years old when I first came to Manzanita. My dad helped build the track (in 1951). I own race cars, and we've spent $1 million for renovations.

"I thought we'd get 10 years out of it before we'd have to sell it. But attendance is down 40 percent, and we lost ($468,465) last year.

"We still had enough money to last several years. It's just that the nail in the coffin was some environmental issues involving dust and also noise complaints from neighbors. We knew eventually we'd get closed down because of it."

Bobby Martin said fans have been understandably upset with the news.

"A lot of people have called us and expressed their dissatisfaction," Martin said. "Everybody feels like we didn't give racing people a chance to buy it, but I didn't know anyone out there with that kind of money. And even if there might have been, you still had the environmental issues. The county had two pages of complaints against us."

Hollywood Leary, who was appointed general manager in January, wants to build another dirt track in the Phoenix area and is looking at three potential sites, one of which is near Firebird International Raceway.

"I just don't want to see Manzanita Speedway die," he said. "The Martins already have told me I could have the name for a song.

"Now it's up to me to try and put something together. I feel like it's 60-40 we'll get something done and have another track up and running (this summer)."

Among big-name drivers who've tested Manzy's famous half-mile oval are Hall of Fame drivers Roger McCluskey, Mario Andretti and A.J. Foyt. Several local drivers reared on Manzy's famous dirt track later drove in the Indianapolis 500, including Wayne Weiler and Billy Boat.

"I was there in the grandstands when my dad was racing and my mom still was carrying me (in her womb)," said Boat, reached in Texas at a U.S. Auto Club midget race where his son, Chad, is competing. "This really tugs at your heart. Manzy has played such a role for my whole career. I even had one fan tell me he wants to go to Phoenix and stand on the top row of the grandstands one last time and then go down and scoop up dirt. And he's not even a racer."

The Manzanita departure leaves Canyon Raceway near Lake Pleasant and Central Arizona Raceway near Casa Grande as the two closest dirt track venues to the metro Phoenix area.

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Slide Job Racing or Sprintsrgr8, do either of you know if drag racing is still active at Speedworld Motorplex? When I read Sprintsrgr8's post last night I remembered seeing drag cars in that area but I had never gone to the drag strip. Actually when I first moved to the valley I was looking into buying a house off of Grand Ave & 163rd Ave that is when I became aware of the drag strip. However I never knew they built a dirt track there also. Thanks for the info guys.


Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Hi Patti,
Yes they do still run the drag strip, also have or had a motocross track as well.
From what I heard the problem with the 3/8's dirt track is that the dust blew onto the shut down lanes of the drag strip resulting in a dangerous situation and thats why the dirt track was kind of kicked to the curb? just hear say though, hope this helps
Bruce

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Thanks Bruce, I haven't been in that area in a number of years. It sounds like the chances of reopening the 3/8 mile track would be slim if the drags are still running there. One thing is for sure there is a strong racing community in the Phoenix area, hopefully there will be a new Manzy in the near future.

Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Earlier in this thread I reported that I had seen something in a local paper stating that there was land set aside in Goodyear for a race track that had not been developed yet. A few days ago I contacted a person that writes for the paper and although he has no idea what land I had read about he told me there was a story coming out about a race track being closed down, no he wasn't talking about Manzy. The story he was talkinhg about ran in the West Valley View today and I thought it was worth sharing with you.

Judge orders temp closure of racetrack
Legal battle continues between AMP, county

A judge has ordered a temporary shutdown of a controversial West Valley racetrack, citing the facility had violated conditions of its zoning permit.
Arizona Motorsports Park and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have been in a protracted legal battle over the track's operation since 2004, when the board revoked the special permit it had orignally approved. The track later won the right to reopen. provided it complied with the county's zoning stipulations. The county has appealed that decision.
Both sides have been in and out of court since 2004 on several issues involving the track's operation. In April 2008, a judge ruled the county board had violated the track owner's due process rights when it revoked the permit.
In a new action, separate from the on going legal skirmish, Gust Rosenfeld lawyers representing the Board of Supervisors filed for a temporary injunction against the track Feb. 19. The board authorized the action at a Feb. 11 meeting after discussing it in a executive session Feb. 9.
A judge granted the temporary restraining order Feb. 24, effectively closing the track until the next hearing, scheduled for April 13.
Calls to track owner Dan Maloney and his lawyer were not returned by press
deadline.
The racetrack is on 148 acres in an unincorporated area at 15402 W. Camelback Road. on the northeast corner of Camelback and Reems roads, just south of Luke Air Force Base.
The board granted the track a special-use permit with 27 stipulations, authorizing construction of a 14.7 acre driving area, offices, pit area, and a helipad site, according to county planning documents and board meeting minutes.
The $6.5 million track opened in 2003 and drew the ire of nearby residents who complained to county officials about the noise.
According to documents filed with Maricopa County Superior Court in November 2008, county employees began photographing and videoing alleged permit violations, includling an unpermitted restroom facility and failure to complete Camelback Road improvements along the length of the property.
The Maricopa County Department of Transportation confirmed track owners had not submitted design materials for the half-street improvements, according to a sworn statement by Joe Rich, assistant county manager.

Some of you are probably asking yourself what does this have to do with Manzy? That answer is nothing and everything, it is a story I have been following ever since moving to the valley from upsate N. Y.. The story of that facility and watching what has happend to some of the races tracks I have attended over the years is what made me start another thread on here titled "Dirt Track Questions"; I think it is important you know what someone interested in starting a new track in Arizona is up against. It is just my personal belief that it would have been easier to try to preserve Manzy in it's present location than to try to move it. I hope I am proven wrong. The track that story talks about to the best of my knowledge is a pavement road course facilty. Over the years I have been following the story noise issues have been one of the biggest concerns.

I heard a rumor last night that does effect Manzy, the newspaper article that ran the story on Manzy closing stated that three locations are being considered to move Manzy to. The article only listed the Firebird Area on Indian land as a possible area to relocate to, it didn't give the other two locations. I learned last night that land along 85 in Buckeye is also in consideration, this area only houses a prison, so there will be no residents from a major housing development to complain once the track is built. Remember I said this is a rumor I heard, I have not seen this in the newspaper or on the news.

I was also asked recently if they are trying to stop the sale of Manzy and declare it a historical location. I believe the only place I saw anything like that was any earlier poster in this thread came up with that suggestion. I have seen noting in the news here in Arizona to confirm action like that is being taken to save Manzy.

Will keep you informed of anything I hear.

Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

I wanted to mention that here in the Syracuse NY area today it was announced that John Wight owner of Gypsum Express (trucking co.) as well as a car owner bought Brewerton and Fulton speedway rescueing these two great tracks from a developer. And yes they will continue to be race tracks!:applaud::applaud:

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Originally Posted by RacinFool:
I wanted to mention that here in the Syracuse NY area today it was announced that John Wight owner of Gypsum Express (trucking co.) as well as a car owner bought Brewerton and Fulton speedway rescueing these two great tracks from a developer. And yes they will continue to be race tracks!:applaud::applaud:

Tom, thanks for posting, a friend told me last night they had been sold but that no information had been released as to who had bought them. I am glad to hear that they will still be race tracks, I have spent allot of time at both of these fine establishments. Hung out at Fulton when it was a pavement track and also when it was a dirt track. My thanks go out to John Wight for saving two of cetral N. Y.'s finest dirt tracks.

Patti

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Originally Posted by IndyBound:
Tom, thanks for posting, a friend told me last night they had been sold but that no information had been released as to who had bought them. I am glad to hear that they will still be race tracks, I have spent allot of time at both of these fine establishments. Hung out at Fulton when it was a pavement track and also when it was a dirt track. My thanks go out to John Wight for saving two of cetral N. Y.'s finest dirt tracks.

Patti

Ditto on that one Patti, I grew up at Oswego, Fulton, and Brewerton. Lots of great memories. John might be able to now turn things around and do the thngs needed to make these great tracks again.:thumb-Tom

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Originally Posted by IndyBound:
....I learned last night that land along 85 in Buckeye is also in consideration, this area only houses a prison, so there will be no residents from a major housing development to complain once the track is built. Remember I said this is a rumor I heard, I have not seen this in the newspaper or on the news.....

I hate to say it, but that is the best news I have ever heard. Building a race track next to a prison would be a great idea. The prison would like it, because it would draw attention away from it. The land owner would like it, because the demand for his property is way low. The new track would like it, because no one else would want to develop in this area.

How much of the Manzy facility is moveable? Some things would be easy. Such as the lighting. However, what about the stands?

Re: Bad News from out West
 

Originally Posted by Jonr:
I hate to say it, but that is the best news I have ever heard. Building a race track next to a prison would be a great idea. The prison would like it, because it would draw attention away from it. The land owner would like it, because the demand for his property is way low. The new track would like it, because no one else would want to develop in this area.

How much of the Manzy facility is moveable? Some things would be easy. Such as the lighting. However, what about the stands?

Jonr, I must say the best news I could hear is this whole thread is a bad April Fool's Day joke started a few weeks early. Or a bad dream, more like a nightmare that we can now wake up from and racing continues on at 35th & Broadway for another 58 plus years.

Back to what seems to be the reality card we have been dealt by Mr. Mel Martin; I am no expert but I would think a good share of Manzy is moveable. I believe when a number of tracks were sold back east that the grandstands were sold off and moved. So yes, even grandstands are moveable. The history that has made Manzy the race track that it is today, that took 58 years to build and I believe that is not moveable. They can open a new track at Firebird, build a new track in Buckeye or reopen Casa Grande an call it Manzy, no matter what option they choose the allure of Manzy will be gone.

You made some good points about moving Manzy next to a Prison. Guess we will just have to wait and see how this all plays out.

Patti