Liquid Assets

Sheer power slices through Firebird

A A A Comments (0) By Kim Toms Thursday, Oct 23 2003

Imagine a placid lake reflecting a cloudless sky. Now take a deep breath as a boat sails into view, and hold your breath for a count of five -- the exact time it takes for the 5,000 horsepower top fuel drag boat to scream down the liquid quarter mile.

courtesy of Firebird Raceway

Ready to rumble: Drag boats at Firebird.

Location Info

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Firebird International Raceway

20000 S. Maricopa Road
Chandler, AZ 85226

Category: Sports and Recreation

Region: Chandler

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Admission prices include access to the pits, and one child 12 or under gets in free to general admission areas with each paying adult. On Thursday, October 23 (Test & Tune Day), admission is $10. On Friday, October 24, admission is $20. And on Saturday, October 25, qualifying begins at 9 a.m.; admission starts at $31. Opening ceremonies start at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, and admission is $34 to $42. For more information, see www.firebirdraceway.com or call 602-268-0200.

Sits at 20000 South Maricopa Road at the intersection of I-10 in Chandler

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This weekend, contemplate pure power at the Coors Light IHBA World Finals Drag Boat Racing at Firebird International Raceway, where Top Fuel Hydros, Pro Gas Flats and boats in a dozen other classes compete for the 2003 championships.

Amy Pisule, Firebird car drag crewmember, describes the sound of the boat races happening: "When the motors start up," she says, "you hear a deep, lopey' sound." Fan Delbert Long elaborates: "You don't hear them as much as feel them. At the end of a run, a chorus of car alarms is cheering drivers on."

The rabid fan base adds another splash of adrenaline to the fun. "The crowd acts different than at the car drags -- they get into it more," says Pisule. Families enjoy the kid zone, the memorabilia market, and this year, extreme skydivers, who plummet from the air looking like death in a free fall and hit the water running.Long advises race fans to set aside $10 until the end of the day. "You'll need to get a haircut on the way home, cause the hairs on the back of your neck stand straight up."

If you love the smell of nitro-methane in the morning, go early for a whiff of victory.