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8/26/2020
Location
Temp, AZ
US
Hey All Newb post.
Thinking about leaving commiefornia and wanted to see how the Az moto scene was. So far looks like Canyon mx and Acp are the two heavy hitters. (Especially in the pocket book) Why is Canyon so expensive? Is there any gp style races in az? Thanks for your help!
Clydesdale
Thinking about leaving commiefornia and wanted to see how the Az moto scene was. So far looks like Canyon mx and Acp are the two heavy hitters. (Especially in the pocket book) Why is Canyon so expensive? Is there any gp style races in az? Thanks for your help!
Clydesdale
I wish there where more GP style events.
The only tracks I know of are the ones already listed.
Canyon
ACP
Motoland
ET
Depending on where you live the last three can be a haul. Living in the north valley, Canyon is where I’m at most of the time. 15-20 years ago was a different story.
So me and my friend in late April last year drove down there with our bikes. I looked up the tracks and while i was there for a week. I only got to ride acp and canyon. During the time I was there only canyon was running during the week.
I also drove by and saw some track by a fair ground or something that looked okay. Some guy on here from kingman area has a semi private track that looked cool i wanted to ride it but was to tired.
Was some track out by lake havesu that wasn't open when i was there and some track in northern az close to Vegas area.
The tracks weren't horrible but compared to say the tracks in CA or even some of the ones up here in WA. I wasn't really blown away i guess AZ has more open riding opportunities and better orv parks n such. Yes i even got to go to speed world long ago before it closed down out in surprise it was like 5 miles away from the in laws.
Someone once said that the owners of canyon are greedy mofo's who crush any new comers in the area.
The Shop
That being said, the few tracks there are in the state are enjoyable.
Lots of excellent single track desert riding. Tons of places to ride. Also plenty of nice trails up in the high country for when it is super hot and you want to get away and ride where its cool.
Overall, its a decent scene for moto. I do wish we had a few more tracks to ride.
My favorite track was/is Ocotillo in Eloy, but its closed right now. Would love for it to open back up. It has a ton of potential if the right person were to buy it and run it. Just needs a little work. Also needs a kid track and a vet track. All they have is a nationals track, and not everyone can ride it. So it only caters to certain riders, which is why they struggle to stay open.
That was back in late February early March and allot has changed since then.
Pima Motorsports Park (PMP) is owned by Pima County and located on County land adjacent to the County fairgrounds. The Kart track (Mussleman Honda Circuit) is next to the MX track and is also owned by the county. Pima County grants a lease for each, the MX track and the Kart track, to operators who then run each.
This is where it gets a little confusing. The owner of Mussleman Honda shop (Mark) was also the lease holder to operate the PMP MX track. So, for the last 10 years they called it Musselman Cycles Motorsports Park (MCMP). Additionally, Mussleman Honda was also the title sponsor for the Kart track hence it being called the Mussleman Honda Circuit. However, Mark and the lease holder for the Kart track, Charlie, soon were at odds with each other so Mark stopped paying to be the title sponsor for the Kart track. However, Charlie kept using the Mussleman Honda Circuit name.
Fast Forward to 2020. Mark was getting tired of operating the MX track after 10 years and decided to let his lease run out. Charlie from the Kart track was apparently talking to the county about picking up the lease for the MX track in addition to the lease he already has for the Kart track. The rumors started swirling. I've heard that Charlie wants to convert the MX track area into everything from a SXS track, a full blown Indy Car road course, an off-road trophy truck track... etc. These rumors have just kept circulating around.
The fact is that Charlie has not even been granted the lease to operate the MX track. Not insofar as the county will tell me in my talks with them. They just keep being vague and saying "we are exploring our options." As far as the track being closed permanently, that should not be the case. It is merely between lease holders, assuming the county is going to grant a new lease. I have been encouraging all local folks to get in contact with the Pima county reps and express our concerns and desire that the MX track be reopened asap. Anyone want to run an MX track in Tucson?
Pit Row
Have you heard of Nomads, the track we have down here in SV? We are a club and run it. 90% of the time it is in crappy condition and open only to club members. However, we do prep it and open it to the public for practice a few times a year. Next open practice is currently scheduled for 25-Oct. If you're on FB I can send you the invite.
https://www.facebook.com/events/465157527663512/
Now, AZ moto scene sucks track wise. Desert is pretty good of you get away from all the side by sides. ACP is a decent track though. Canyon has potential, was pretty sweet in like 2010 but is pretty lame now and $40. It is a track to ride though, if it was like in 2010 it would be easier to pay $40.
https://www.facebook.com/Happy-Track-103002806417725
http://happytrackmx.com
PMP-Tucson: Still no movement. Track sits idle. I believe if a serious operator approached the county with a lease proposal that would get things going.
Nomads SV: Yes, we still have the club and the track. Send me a PM and we can talk details.
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