Canyon MX, Arizona possibly in trouble

FGR01
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FGR01
Edited Date/Time 10/28/2022 12:04pm
https://www.change.org/p/arizona-state-land-department-arizona-state-tr…

Canyon is on leased State land and they are saying the lease may not be renewed. Sign the petition and also fill a comment to the State Land department at https://azland.tfaforms.net/4630115

This would be a great loss to Arizona MX if true.
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neverwas 1/17/2022 10:11pm
1/17/2022 10:11pm
Signed and forwarded to friends.
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bvm111
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bvm111 1/17/2022 10:58pm
1/17/2022 10:58pm
I grew up riding there, we can’t let it close!

Signed and forwarded
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mxracer828
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mxracer828 1/18/2022 4:17am
1/18/2022 4:17am
I believe et Motorsports complex lost its lease also.
dpingree101
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dpingree101 1/18/2022 6:21am
1/18/2022 6:21am
My old home track... signed and shared. Hope they can keep it open.
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Motoman79
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Motoman79 1/18/2022 6:36am
1/18/2022 6:36am
Signed and shared
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G-man
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G-man 1/18/2022 7:24am
1/18/2022 7:24am
Signed and shared.
First track I raced when I moved here in 1987 as they were closing tracks in SoCal.

Over the years the REVERSE has been happening and the amount of tracks in AZ has dwindled to a few....

STOP THE MADNESS!!! Angry
Where is lil' Junior gonna ride....Dry
2
TheLostOtter 1/18/2022 9:12am
1/18/2022 9:12am
I can't believe how few tracks there are in AZ now. Losing Canyon would be a huge blow. Signed
vitalriderCrf 1/18/2022 9:20am
1/18/2022 9:20am Edited Date/Time 1/18/2022 9:22am
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure it’s a hell of a lot easier legal wise to run a track out there compared to CA, plus tons of open land. So what’s the problem? Why are there so few tracks out there?
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FGR01
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FGR01 1/18/2022 10:13am
1/18/2022 10:13am
vitalriderCrf wrote:
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure...
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure it’s a hell of a lot easier legal wise to run a track out there compared to CA, plus tons of open land. So what’s the problem? Why are there so few tracks out there?
When you drive around in AZ, you see tons of open land. What you don't realize is it is all Government owned, most by the Federal government. National Forests, State owned land, National wildlife preserves, Indian reservations, etc, etc. Which means it's all land you can't ride on or build MX tracks on. When you get down to it, there really is not that much land that is actually legal to ride on, relative to how huge and empty the state is.
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vitalriderCrf 1/18/2022 10:25am
1/18/2022 10:25am
vitalriderCrf wrote:
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure...
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure it’s a hell of a lot easier legal wise to run a track out there compared to CA, plus tons of open land. So what’s the problem? Why are there so few tracks out there?
FGR01 wrote:
When you drive around in AZ, you see tons of open land. What you don't realize is it is all Government owned, most by the Federal...
When you drive around in AZ, you see tons of open land. What you don't realize is it is all Government owned, most by the Federal government. National Forests, State owned land, National wildlife preserves, Indian reservations, etc, etc. Which means it's all land you can't ride on or build MX tracks on. When you get down to it, there really is not that much land that is actually legal to ride on, relative to how huge and empty the state is.
Oh okay makes sense. Thank you. Man it looks like you guys may be down to one track in the entire state here shortly. That sucks
FGR01
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FGR01 1/18/2022 10:37am
1/18/2022 10:37am
vitalriderCrf wrote:
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure...
I don’t know much about AZ, but from what I’ve read on here it seems there’s a lot of demand for good MX tracks. I’m sure it’s a hell of a lot easier legal wise to run a track out there compared to CA, plus tons of open land. So what’s the problem? Why are there so few tracks out there?
FGR01 wrote:
When you drive around in AZ, you see tons of open land. What you don't realize is it is all Government owned, most by the Federal...
When you drive around in AZ, you see tons of open land. What you don't realize is it is all Government owned, most by the Federal government. National Forests, State owned land, National wildlife preserves, Indian reservations, etc, etc. Which means it's all land you can't ride on or build MX tracks on. When you get down to it, there really is not that much land that is actually legal to ride on, relative to how huge and empty the state is.
vitalriderCrf wrote:
Oh okay makes sense. Thank you. Man it looks like you guys may be down to one track in the entire state here shortly. That sucks
The other 2 primary tracks remaining, ACP and Motoland, are both on private property. So, they should not be at risk of losing a state lease like what happened to ET and what is threatening Canyon. But, yeah, we definitely don't want to lose Canyon and really need more tracks.

There is also Mesquite MX, but it is way up northwest AZ and on the other side of the Grand Canyon, so most people consider it a "Nevada" track as it's not really a reasonable drive to most riders in AZ.
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mxdevon
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mxdevon 1/18/2022 10:49am
1/18/2022 10:49am
Having spun literally thousands of laps around canyon I will say I hope for all of you phx bros that it can remain open! Many great memories there. I lived in cave creek and after speedworld closed canyon was the only thing keeping moto alive on the north end…..if it’s gone it will be a huge blow to the scene and families.

In my 35 years of riding, unfortunately, I have only seen riding areas decrease every year.
I believe electric could create opportunities. I wish it made more sense for private money to invest in a riding facility. It just never pencils. We all love to spend bank on bikes and gear and bling and trucks but no one pools any resources to ensure that we have a place to use them all…….I should start a moto centric mutual fund!!,
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skeef
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skeef 1/18/2022 10:52am
1/18/2022 10:52am
Arizona has made the transition to SxS country
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FGR01
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FGR01 1/18/2022 10:55am
1/18/2022 10:55am
mxdevon wrote:
Having spun literally thousands of laps around canyon I will say I hope for all of you phx bros that it can remain open! Many great...
Having spun literally thousands of laps around canyon I will say I hope for all of you phx bros that it can remain open! Many great memories there. I lived in cave creek and after speedworld closed canyon was the only thing keeping moto alive on the north end…..if it’s gone it will be a huge blow to the scene and families.

In my 35 years of riding, unfortunately, I have only seen riding areas decrease every year.
I believe electric could create opportunities. I wish it made more sense for private money to invest in a riding facility. It just never pencils. We all love to spend bank on bikes and gear and bling and trucks but no one pools any resources to ensure that we have a place to use them all…….I should start a moto centric mutual fund!!,
I have to drive 4 hrs to get to either Canyon or ACP and 3 hrs to Motoland. So I get a good chuckle when Phx locals get picky about which "side" of town a track is on... LOL
mxdevon
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mxdevon 1/18/2022 11:09am
1/18/2022 11:09am
mxdevon wrote:
Having spun literally thousands of laps around canyon I will say I hope for all of you phx bros that it can remain open! Many great...
Having spun literally thousands of laps around canyon I will say I hope for all of you phx bros that it can remain open! Many great memories there. I lived in cave creek and after speedworld closed canyon was the only thing keeping moto alive on the north end…..if it’s gone it will be a huge blow to the scene and families.

In my 35 years of riding, unfortunately, I have only seen riding areas decrease every year.
I believe electric could create opportunities. I wish it made more sense for private money to invest in a riding facility. It just never pencils. We all love to spend bank on bikes and gear and bling and trucks but no one pools any resources to ensure that we have a place to use them all…….I should start a moto centric mutual fund!!,
FGR01 wrote:
I have to drive 4 hrs to get to either Canyon or ACP and 3 hrs to Motoland. So I get a good chuckle when Phx...
I have to drive 4 hrs to get to either Canyon or ACP and 3 hrs to Motoland. So I get a good chuckle when Phx locals get picky about which "side" of town a track is on... LOL
Sad but so true…. The reality is many are “fair weather” dirt bikers. Just to many things sucking our most valuable resource. Time
AZ35
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AZ35 1/18/2022 11:14am
1/18/2022 11:14am Edited Date/Time 1/18/2022 11:15am
They have been racing MX at Canyon since the 1970's, and there still isn't any sort of residential housing for miles (other than the people who live at the glider airport who also have been there for decades). So it is not encroachment that is causing problems.

No solid reason the State would not renew the lease other than they just hate anything with gas engines.
Mr. Ted 1/18/2022 5:19pm
1/18/2022 5:19pm
Signed and forwarded. It's been a staple of the AZ moto scene for decades. Lots of great memories from there. Hope they make it.
1
Craig_Lambrecht 1/19/2022 10:51am
1/19/2022 10:51am
Owners are absolute douchebags. I know a LOT of people that have been kicked out of there for voicing their opinions.. some legit safety concerns. I used to ride there with a large group of friends 3-5 a week. Fuck Canyon. COuldn’t be happening to a better track
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bvm111
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bvm111 1/19/2022 11:44am
1/19/2022 11:44am
bet you are fun at parties
Falcon
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Falcon 1/19/2022 11:59am
1/19/2022 11:59am
It's inevitable. They have to keep that urban sprawl going, you know...
You guys didn't think they completed the 303 on that side of town so you'd have easier access to the track, did you?

I hope they keep it open. It would be sad to lose yet another track.
FGR01
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FGR01 1/19/2022 2:24pm
1/19/2022 2:24pm Edited Date/Time 1/19/2022 2:29pm
Falcon wrote:
It's inevitable. They have to keep that urban sprawl going, you know... You guys didn't think they completed the 303 on that side of town so...
It's inevitable. They have to keep that urban sprawl going, you know...
You guys didn't think they completed the 303 on that side of town so you'd have easier access to the track, did you?

I hope they keep it open. It would be sad to lose yet another track.
The track is in a floodplain, a huge wash, close to 2 canals... basically unusable land for urban sprawl it seems.

Oh, it also has some major high-tension power lines running right through it for good measure.

There are tons of wild burros in the area. Every time I camp at the track they are walking right up to my trailer in the middle of the night. Save the Wild Burro!! Stop Urban Sprawl !!!!! Laughing
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FGR01
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FGR01 1/19/2022 2:32pm
1/19/2022 2:32pm
Craig_Lambrecht wrote:
Owners are absolute douchebags. I know a LOT of people that have been kicked out of there for voicing their opinions.. some legit safety concerns. I...
Owners are absolute douchebags. I know a LOT of people that have been kicked out of there for voicing their opinions.. some legit safety concerns. I used to ride there with a large group of friends 3-5 a week. Fuck Canyon. COuldn’t be happening to a better track
I don't know them personally, but I'd be hesitant to call anyone that keeps a track going for us to ride absolute douchebags.

In any case, I'll take a track ran by douchebags over no track at all any day.
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Falcon
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Falcon 1/19/2022 3:52pm
1/19/2022 3:52pm
Falcon wrote:
It's inevitable. They have to keep that urban sprawl going, you know... You guys didn't think they completed the 303 on that side of town so...
It's inevitable. They have to keep that urban sprawl going, you know...
You guys didn't think they completed the 303 on that side of town so you'd have easier access to the track, did you?

I hope they keep it open. It would be sad to lose yet another track.
FGR01 wrote:
The track is in a floodplain, a huge wash, close to 2 canals... basically unusable land for urban sprawl it seems. Oh, it also has some...
The track is in a floodplain, a huge wash, close to 2 canals... basically unusable land for urban sprawl it seems.

Oh, it also has some major high-tension power lines running right through it for good measure.

There are tons of wild burros in the area. Every time I camp at the track they are walking right up to my trailer in the middle of the night. Save the Wild Burro!! Stop Urban Sprawl !!!!! Laughing
Yep! Stop urban spawl! Laughing

They won't stop in Phoenix until they reach 950th Ave, out near Quartsite. Also, there are homes all over that same floodplain just south of the track, near Happy Valley Pkwy. I don't think any city has ever let a few burros stop them from pouring concrete... they only let nature stop you, not them.

I used to live right over by there in Vistancia. Cool
RiverockMX 1/20/2022 4:05pm
1/20/2022 4:05pm
The problem with leased land is eventually this will happen even if after 40 years. Sucks that ACP could be the last real legit track in the area. I guess you have to build your track next to a state prison for no one to care about it's use. Haven't been to Canyon in a couple years since they raised the gate fee but signed the petition because we need every track we can get. I hope they can pull through.
mx510
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mx510 1/23/2022 9:14am
1/23/2022 9:14am
Does anyone know what’s up with Ocotillo Raceway? Says temporarily closed online. Are they actually temporarily closed?
FGR01
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FGR01 1/23/2022 12:08pm
1/23/2022 12:08pm
mx510 wrote:
Does anyone know what’s up with Ocotillo Raceway? Says temporarily closed online. Are they actually temporarily closed?
Hasn't really been open in years. Owner basically got sick of running it and/or the numbers just don't really add up. As far as I know, same guy still owns it and he could reopen at any time if he wanted to. He's just not really interested to do it.
mx510
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mx510 1/23/2022 8:19pm
1/23/2022 8:19pm
FGR01 wrote:
Hasn't really been open in years. Owner basically got sick of running it and/or the numbers just don't really add up. As far as I know...
Hasn't really been open in years. Owner basically got sick of running it and/or the numbers just don't really add up. As far as I know, same guy still owns it and he could reopen at any time if he wanted to. He's just not really interested to do it.
Man that's a bummer, I get it though. Do you ride trails in AZ?
TbonesPop 1/23/2022 9:54pm
1/23/2022 9:54pm Edited Date/Time 1/23/2022 9:57pm
mx510 wrote:
Does anyone know what’s up with Ocotillo Raceway? Says temporarily closed online. Are they actually temporarily closed?
FGR01 wrote:
Hasn't really been open in years. Owner basically got sick of running it and/or the numbers just don't really add up. As far as I know...
Hasn't really been open in years. Owner basically got sick of running it and/or the numbers just don't really add up. As far as I know, same guy still owns it and he could reopen at any time if he wanted to. He's just not really interested to do it.
It was reopened about 2 years ago for about 9 months. The guy running it was a really good guy and tried hard, but just didn't get a lot of riders showing up. There's just one track and its more advanced with some gap jumps. Not very "vet friendly" and certainly not kid friendly. I loved the layout of the track and would love to have it opened back up again. If it does, in my opinion, they need to add a small kid track for 65/85s, and a vet track - or tame down the national track to fit a wider range of riders. They don't really have much extra land like ACP and Motoland, so I don't think they have a ton of extra room for additional tracks. Could definitely add a 65/85 track or a beginner track, then tame down the main track to be a little safer to cater to more riders.

Also of suggestion (in case the owners are listening), don't run practice the same days that Motoland and ACP are open. Maybe open Ocotillo during the week and run it in the afternoon/evenings since they have lights, like running practice Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon / nights. Would be awesome to get another track open, especially during the week.

#GoHuge
c91x
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c91x 7/11/2022 8:38am
7/11/2022 8:38am
Does anyone know if they got the lease extended?

And I agree with the post about the owner. That guy is the most unprofessional, emotional hot head I've ever met. Hard for me to want to go to that track when i know its supporting his behavior

mxracer828
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mxracer828 7/11/2022 8:49am
7/11/2022 8:49am
Et Motorsports park also lost there lease and pretty much leveled out now. I haven’t rode. There yet but apparently some track prep guy is back working there and the dirt looks good. I’ve only ridden at acp myself

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