Will the Sun Finally Set on Manzanita Speedway?  

photo by Terry Shaw

 Do you feel that you want to try to make a difference and help Manzanita Speedway? Many people feel the way you do. There are a few different things that you can do to help preserve open wheel racing in Arizona.  Whether or not it is too late to save Manzanita is a highly debatable issue. As you can see on our message board there is a wide variety of opinions. We thank those who have posted there. Your opinion is more important than you know. If you feel you want to be a part of either trying to preserve Manzy, or helping in the possible re-location of this historical landmark, feel free to drop us an e-mail, and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.

 Currently there are people working with the purchaser of Manzanita's property for a possible land trade deal. The purchaser is open to the idea, and has been sensitive to the concerns of the racing community. In short, he is willing to listen. There is a need for substantial capital to purchase the property for the trade. Property has been located, but it must be secured. This of course will take money. One area where you may be of assistance is in soliciting investors yourself. Most people in the racing community know of someone, or have a friend of a friend that may be willing to invest or even own this Arizona based racing legacy. Get them in touch with us. We would be very happy to get them in touch with the people in charge of this effort. If you have their contact information, you can send it to us, and we will forward it.

 There are other things that are in the works on the State level to try to help. Some in local government have been listening and are sympathetic to the cause. Any type of transaction, trade, preservation, or negotiation will go much smoother with the blessing of those governing on the State, County, and Municipal levels. These people need to hear from you. We have posted some of their e-mail addresses on ABC Motorsports for you to use. Please use them and make your concerns known.

 Another avenue..... there are people that are observing the popular demand for Manzanita Speedway at this point as a potential place to invest. These people are interested in your opinion, and are watching the different media available to monitor public opinion. There is currently a petition that is available to sign, there are message boards accessible through ABC Motorsports, SCRAFAN.com, Hoseheads and others. Many feel that it is not important to sign, and that expressing their opinion is a waste of time. If this is the case with you, think about those that may be monitoring the signatures and opinions of the public through these media devices to see how important Manzanita Speedway is to you. People such as investors, racers, future promoters, and others that are in a position to help. These people use these sources of public opinion as one of the determining factors in taking on a venture such as saving Manzanita Speedway or re-locating it.

There are many rumors that have been floating around as to what will happen, potential investors, and the like. Many may be true, but remain unsubstantiated. Please be careful of what you repeat, or what you wish for especially where the public has free access. What you say can do as much harm as good.  There are some that have felt very strongly about the unfairness of it all, and have expressed their anger even on the criminal level. Along with this sport there comes much passion. Before you act ask yourself, "Will what I plan on doing help or hurt the efforts of those earnestly trying to construct a solution? How I you feel if I were a victim of a criminal act? Would I give in, or would you retaliate? Please evaluate the cause and effect of your actions. None of us want to be responsible for hampering the efforts of those working hard for us. 

One more thing that we would like to mention.... There has been some debate as to whether certain content published by www.abcmotorsports.com can be used on any other sites or can be re-produced in any way. Hopefully this general principle will help set matters straight. ABC Motorsports.com was produced to help racers be informed of what is going on in the racing community and spur interest in our sport. We encourage anyone who wishes to copy and publish this article anywhere they see fit to help us with our objective.  All we ask is that if you use any of the content of our website, pictures or otherwise, please give credit where credit is due, and let them know where it came from.