Canyon MX, Arizona possibly in trouble

MyBobbym
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Apache Junction, AZ US
MyBobbym 7/12/2022 2:33am
7/12/2022 2:33am
mxracer828 wrote:
I believe et Motorsports complex lost its lease also.
Houses will be taking over the track soon.
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mumbles 7/14/2022 9:42am
7/14/2022 9:42am
I was stationed there from 1976 - 80. Rode Canyon a few times a year. I really liked the Bosch Classics 79/80. Really good guys came out for those races. I was just a Novice then but had a great time.


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gharmon
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gharmon 7/14/2022 12:53pm
7/14/2022 12:53pm
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
FGR01 wrote:
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...
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.
Question for you, i just left Arizona 1 week ago. I was working in the ER at Casa Grande for 8.5 months. I rode all three tracks but rode moto land the most as it was about 6 miles away.
When we were leaving Casa Grande headed toward Yuma there was what appeared to be a track with lights about a mile or two farther down the interstate past motoland. It was much closer to the interstate that motoland is. Any idea what that is? Anyone?
I meant to go check it out but we left town first.
gharmon
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gharmon 7/14/2022 12:59pm
7/14/2022 12:59pm
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
Where are you? Tuscon not that far. I cant figure where you are. I was lucky enought to visit almost every area of the state. You in the white mountains?

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Press516
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Press516 7/14/2022 2:51pm
7/14/2022 2:51pm
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there.

I hope it can survive!!!

Carlos Serrano at Canyon for attention.


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TbonesPop 7/14/2022 8:13pm
7/14/2022 8:13pm
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
FGR01 wrote:
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...
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.
gharmon wrote:
Question for you, i just left Arizona 1 week ago. I was working in the ER at Casa Grande for 8.5 months. I rode all three...
Question for you, i just left Arizona 1 week ago. I was working in the ER at Casa Grande for 8.5 months. I rode all three tracks but rode moto land the most as it was about 6 miles away.
When we were leaving Casa Grande headed toward Yuma there was what appeared to be a track with lights about a mile or two farther down the interstate past motoland. It was much closer to the interstate that motoland is. Any idea what that is? Anyone?
I meant to go check it out but we left town first.
That's MotoGrande and it hasn't been open for about 10 years. I don't want to misspeak about the situation, but I had heard the owner of the track had gotten into some legal troubles. I'm not comfortable saying anything more because I can't confirm the details and I may be way off base. Have some friends who raced it once and said it was a really fun "jumpy" track. Doubt it will ever re-open unless someone buys it, similar to Ocotillo. Both of those tracks have some potential.

BTW, I think I recall seeing your name on your jersey riding out at Motoland (may have been you, anyways).
1
RiverockMX 7/15/2022 10:42am
7/15/2022 10:42am
So what is Canyon's current status? Are they open, done?
FGR01
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FGR01 7/15/2022 12:08pm
7/15/2022 12:08pm
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
FGR01 wrote:
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...
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.
gharmon wrote:
Question for you, i just left Arizona 1 week ago. I was working in the ER at Casa Grande for 8.5 months. I rode all three...
Question for you, i just left Arizona 1 week ago. I was working in the ER at Casa Grande for 8.5 months. I rode all three tracks but rode moto land the most as it was about 6 miles away.
When we were leaving Casa Grande headed toward Yuma there was what appeared to be a track with lights about a mile or two farther down the interstate past motoland. It was much closer to the interstate that motoland is. Any idea what that is? Anyone?
I meant to go check it out but we left town first.
yeah, as TBonesPop said, that is the remnants of Moto Grande. It was a fun Jumpy track, almost SX-ish for amateurs. Definitely not kid/novice friendly. There are videos on YT, including some I posted. I heard that maybe the original owner sold it and the current owner is not really interested in opening it. Also, there is a huge motorsports complex being built just south of MotoGrande, Attesa Motorsports Park. I think it borders right up on the Moto Grande land. In some previous info about Attesa, they talked about having an MX track along with all their car courses but who knows if that will ever happen. They do have one of their road courses done. You can hear the cars ripping on it from Motoland.

I'm out at Motoland pretty often since it's "only" 3 hrs from me! Sorry I didn't get to meet you while you were in town. Tbones Pop, stop and say Hi sometime. I am #137 on the Huskies and usually with my buddy and his fast kid, #4 on the KTM85's.

For those asking.. yes, Canyon is still open and appears to be doing pretty well. I have not heard an update on their lease situation. Anyone have any info on that?
1
mumbles 7/15/2022 3:49pm
7/15/2022 3:49pm
Press516 wrote:
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there. I...
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there.

I hope it can survive!!!

Carlos Serrano at Canyon for attention.


Yeah I remember Carlos Serrano. That guy owned Canyon on a Maico. He also rode a Can-Am 250 MX6 (the orange one) and was super fast around 1980.
1
FGR01
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FGR01 10/26/2022 11:22am
10/26/2022 11:22am
Welp... the day we dreaded.....

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moto162
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moto162 10/26/2022 11:49am
10/26/2022 11:49am
That's fucking sucks. I use to live literally 15 minutes away from there. Use to go rider there in the day then hit the bmx track 15 minutes the opposite way from my house at night.
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bvm111
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bvm111 10/26/2022 12:33pm
10/26/2022 12:33pm
Well that sucks....I cant believe they will build houses all the way out there especially with the current recession and depressed housing market we are entering. I practically grew up at Canyon in the 80s as a kid and the 90s when Zack operated the track. I would hit Wednesday night and weekend practices almost every week driving from Fountain Hills all the way down the carefree Hwy or Bell road. I would even roll in my lowered blue VW Single cab before I bought my first real pick up. I have enjoyed the improved track the few times I have ridden there on my way down to visit family and friends to attend PHX SX.

This is a true loss to the AZ Moto Community.
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SmokinJoe439 10/26/2022 12:56pm
10/26/2022 12:56pm
Damn only like 2 tracks really now?
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H.E.penyypacker432 10/26/2022 12:59pm
10/26/2022 12:59pm
My work opened up an office in Arizona. Telecomm market is wild out there. I was all for getting out of cali until I read about all the track closures and lack of places to ride. Told work keep me in cali. Seems like a state that should have tons of tracks given its landscape. Bummer the way its gone there
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 10/26/2022 1:12pm
10/26/2022 1:12pm
That bites. What does this mean for the future of our sport as a whole? Not just AZ...
champipple
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champipple 10/26/2022 1:26pm
10/26/2022 1:26pm Edited Date/Time 10/26/2022 1:29pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
That bites. What does this mean for the future of our sport as a whole? Not just AZ...
Me and some friends were talking about this and one thing we could see happening is riders going in together to buy their own properties and tracks much like hunters do.
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1
Graybeard 10/26/2022 1:43pm
10/26/2022 1:43pm
Press516 wrote:
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there. I...
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there.

I hope it can survive!!!

Carlos Serrano at Canyon for attention.


Wow, haven’t heard Carlos’s name in quite some time! Had a blast with him and Gary Denton at a race down in Guadalajara back in the late ‘70s. Crazy great crowds down there and Carlos had the hook up for everything! Thanks for posting that!
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Mr. Ted 10/26/2022 3:12pm
10/26/2022 3:12pm
This really sucks on a number of levels. I believe Canyon Speedway is still staying open, which really wouldn't make sense. I hope they find a place to relocate and reopen. What a shame.
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clydesdalecameron 10/26/2022 3:35pm
10/26/2022 3:35pm
I know I might be the unpopular opinion here but I hope this gives them the chance to find a location with better dirt. Id happily pay the $40 dollar gate fee for it. At this point I saw adios and look forward to the future!
RiverockMX 10/26/2022 3:44pm
10/26/2022 3:44pm
clydesdalecameron wrote:
I know I might be the unpopular opinion here but I hope this gives them the chance to find a location with better dirt. Id happily...
I know I might be the unpopular opinion here but I hope this gives them the chance to find a location with better dirt. Id happily pay the $40 dollar gate fee for it. At this point I saw adios and look forward to the future!
Hopefully from the bad comes something good. They did say in the statement they were looking to open a new facility. Fingers crossed they will do it. I better get a Canyon ride in before years end.
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appleboy
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appleboy 10/27/2022 5:07pm
10/27/2022 5:07pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
That bites. What does this mean for the future of our sport as a whole? Not just AZ...
It's fucked for sure. Maybe the factories should worry a little less on winning races and a little more on supporting tracks and learn to ride programs.
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FGR01
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FGR01 10/27/2022 5:41pm
10/27/2022 5:41pm
clydesdalecameron wrote:
I know I might be the unpopular opinion here but I hope this gives them the chance to find a location with better dirt. Id happily...
I know I might be the unpopular opinion here but I hope this gives them the chance to find a location with better dirt. Id happily pay the $40 dollar gate fee for it. At this point I saw adios and look forward to the future!
I know everyone liked to bitch about the dirt and the layout at Canyon, but I actually liked both. I've only ridden Canyon the last few years. I understand it may have been hard packed rocky hell in years past but I thought it was pretty good recently with all the sawdust, manure, whatever they've been mixing in. I liked that it was different than ACP and Motoland. More firm, not ripped as deep, no sand, more open/flowy with some actual 4th gear spots. But if they find an even better place, that would be awesome too!
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kdizzle_rider 10/27/2022 9:14pm
10/27/2022 9:14pm
I live 10 mins from canyon so I have always ridden it. In 2010 we had 6 quality tracks in the greater Phoenix area now 2. Sad. Big loss. Time to get the desert bikes out I suppose? Just doesn’t replace moto…
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Press516
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Press516 10/28/2022 6:27am
10/28/2022 6:27am
Press516 wrote:
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there. I...
I have shoeboxes full of Canyon photo's... Of me, my hero's back in the day and even some from the National that was held there.

I hope it can survive!!!

Carlos Serrano at Canyon for attention.


Graybeard wrote:
Wow, haven’t heard Carlos’s name in quite some time! Had a blast with him and Gary Denton at a race down in Guadalajara back in the...
Wow, haven’t heard Carlos’s name in quite some time! Had a blast with him and Gary Denton at a race down in Guadalajara back in the late ‘70s. Crazy great crowds down there and Carlos had the hook up for everything! Thanks for posting that!
He's a good dude and was fast as anyone there at Canyon... Here's a shot of me and Carlos in the pits at Canyon in 1980.


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az_twosmoker 10/28/2022 8:48am
10/28/2022 8:48am
Always loved Canyon, this sucks to hear.
[YM]
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[YM] 10/28/2022 9:04am
10/28/2022 9:04am




c91x
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c91x 10/28/2022 9:05am
10/28/2022 9:05am
Canyon hasn't been run very well since these owners took over but I still liked the track and had been going there for 30 years. The owners own another track near Camp Verde that they closed down forever ago but is still there. Maybe they'll open that back up.
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G-man
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G-man 10/28/2022 11:56am
10/28/2022 11:56am Edited Date/Time 10/28/2022 12:04pm
kdizzle_rider wrote:
I live 10 mins from canyon so I have always ridden it. In 2010 we had 6 quality tracks in the greater Phoenix area now 2...
I live 10 mins from canyon so I have always ridden it. In 2010 we had 6 quality tracks in the greater Phoenix area now 2. Sad. Big loss. Time to get the desert bikes out I suppose? Just doesn’t replace moto…
Yep
Unfortunately motocross in Arizona is dying as much as I hate to say that....Sad

Don't really understand why tracks can't stay open there seems to be a lot of available land (although shrinking) and a lot of Motocross riders to keep them going....
Real bummer deal.

Canyon was the first official track I went to when I moved to AZ 35 years ago from So Cal as they were closing tracks and riding areas.
Indian Dunes, Saddleback and Carlsbad etc.
Now the opposite is true, tracks are mostly gone here and Cal has many open and thriving....
Go figure Blink

That is why I ride trails and Dualsport now although I still have my 06 CRF450 not sure why I still keep it.
AZ35
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AZ35 10/28/2022 1:20pm
10/28/2022 1:20pm
What a blow to AZ moto, Canyon has been around for going on 50 years. I first went in 1980, spent hundreds of days and nights at that track in the 80's.

Never thought the day would come in my lifetime, between the glider airport, the power lines, canals, and river bed it's not exactly prime real estate for development. There are many thousands of acres nearby more suitable for development (I live in Vistancia about 5 miles south of Canyon).

Really strange if the Speedway short track is allowed to stay open, but the State land department didn't renew just the MX track lease. Both tracks have similar noise and dust levels so letting one track continue to operate while closing the other sounds like BS.

Looks like I better go watch one of those races in November to see Canyon one last time.... ):

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