Firebird Raceway

Site Pros:

3500 person capacity covered grandstand. Large asphalt area between the start line and half track for motorhome space. Pits are only a short walk from the grandstand. Manufacturers midway located behind grandstands. Full flush toilet restrooms, as well as portable toilets. Full concession areas. Premier site in the US for Drag Boat Racing

Site Cons:

This facility does not have many cons. The only thing that may be a bit of a problem is that sometimes the temperature can be in the 100's on a race weekend.

Basic Info:

Ice chest are allowed, but must be “six-pack size” or smaller and may not contain glass, alcohol (Arizona State Law), or other prohibited items. No pets are permitted on the facility except for facilitative animals. No material can be distributed on Firebird property without the prior written approval of Firebird management. For more information visit http://www.firebirdraceway.com/web/FanGuides.html

Directions:

From Skyharbor Airport, take I-10 South to the Firebird Raceway off-ramp (Wild Horse Pass), turn right, then left on Maricopa Rd and follow the signs - track is on the left (East Side) of Maricopa Rd.

Hosted Events:

Lakefest (IHBA Season Opener) - April , Coors Light World Finals - November

Venue Rating:

10

Lake Ming

Site Pros:

This venue is a very nice facility for watching drag boat racing. Lots of grass, playground for the kids, and the pits are right behind the spectator area. Not crowded during NJBA events. There is a very nice county campground about 1/4 mile from the lake along the Kern River. It is about $15.00/night with paved pull through sites and nice grass. I don't have specific information on that campground, but when I receive it I will make sure it is posted here!

Site Cons:

Very short shutdown area. You are almost guaranteed to see a boat on the beach at the far end. Track runs away from the spectator area. Therefore, the finishline is quite a bit farther out from the shore than the start. Parking is in the silty dirt, so don't wash your car before coming to this venue.

Basic Info:

Directions:

From Hwy 99, take SR 178 East. The highway appears to be a regular city street, but turns into a state road when it goes outside of the city. You will drive by Mesa Marin Raceway and the road will merge with Hwy 184, but the remains hwy 178. Keep going straight until you see the sign for Lake Ming. Make a left at Alfred Harrell Hwy until you reach the Chevron Mini Mart. At that intersection (Lake Ming Rd), turn right and go straight and you will run right into Lake Ming. Parking is on the inside of the loop that goes to the lake.

Hosted Events:

All NJBA Events - Mar, April, May, June, September, October, Western Fuel Nationals - May

Venue Rating:

7+

Lake Havasu

Site Pros:

Site Cons:

Basic Info:

Directions:

Hosted Events:

Thunder on the River (Oct)

Venue Rating:

Brazos River

Site Pros:

This venue is one of the best natural locations in the US. The shoreline runs perfectly parallel to the track. Not a bad spot on the shore for viewing.

Site Cons:

Pits are located quite a distance from the spectator area. This venue can be pretty humid and hot. Because of the location of the inramp, the boats load very slowly onto the rope.

Basic Info:

Directions:

From Dallas: Take Hwy 35 South to Waco (about 100 miles). Take Lake Brazos Dr exit and travel west past Herring. The track is about 3/4 mile on the left. From Austin-Bergstrom Airport, take Hwy 183 north, when you reach Anderson Lane, bear right, follow until you merge with Hwy 35, and continue north until you reach Waco, exit Lake Brazos Dr., go east approximately 3 miles past Herring Dr., and the track will be about 3/4 mile on the left. Parking is usually provided on the sides of the road.

Hosted Events:

IHBA Div II Season Opener - May, Texas Shootout - July, Duel on the Brazos - September

Venue Rating:

9+

Lake Ming

Site Pros:

This venue is a very nice facility for watching drag boat racing. Lots of grass, playground for the kids, and the pits are right behind the spectator area. Not crowded during NJBA events. There is a very nice county campground about 1/4 mile from the lake along the Kern River. It is about $15.00/night with paved pull through sites and nice grass. I don't have specific information on that campground, but when I receive it I will make sure it is posted here!

Site Cons:

Very short shutdown area. You are almost guaranteed to see a boat on the beach at the far end. Track runs away from the spectator area. Therefore, the finishline is quite a bit farther out from the shore than the start. Parking is in the silty dirt, so don't wash your car before coming to this venue.

Basic Info:

Directions:

From Hwy 99, take SR 178 East. The highway appears to be a regular city street, but turns into a state road when it goes outside of the city. You will drive by Mesa Marin Raceway and the road will merge with Hwy 184, but the remains hwy 178. Keep going straight until you see the sign for Lake Ming. Make a left at Alfred Harrell Hwy until you reach the Chevron Mini Mart. At that intersection (Lake Ming Rd), turn right and go straight and you will run right into Lake Ming. Parking is on the inside of the loop that goes to the lake.

Hosted Events:

All NJBA Events - Mar, April, May, June, September, October, Western Fuel Nationals - May

Venue Rating:

7+

Lake Irvine

Site Pros:

Site Cons:

Basic Info:

Directions:

Hosted Events:

Venue Rating:

Lake Ming

Site Pros:

This venue is a very nice facility for watching drag boat racing. Lots of grass, playground for the kids, and the pits are right behind the spectator area. Not crowded during NJBA events. There is a very nice county campground about 1/4 mile from the lake along the Kern River. It is about $15.00/night with paved pull through sites and nice grass. I don't have specific information on that campground, but when I receive it I will make sure it is posted here!

Site Cons:

Very short shutdown area. You are almost guaranteed to see a boat on the beach at the far end. Track runs away from the spectator area. Therefore, the finishline is quite a bit farther out from the shore than the start. Parking is in the silty dirt, so don't wash your car before coming to this venue.

Basic Info:

Directions:

From Hwy 99, take SR 178 East. The highway appears to be a regular city street, but turns into a state road when it goes outside of the city. You will drive by Mesa Marin Raceway and the road will merge with Hwy 184, but the remains hwy 178. Keep going straight until you see the sign for Lake Ming. Make a left at Alfred Harrell Hwy until you reach the Chevron Mini Mart. At that intersection (Lake Ming Rd), turn right and go straight and you will run right into Lake Ming. Parking is on the inside of the loop that goes to the lake.

Hosted Events:

All NJBA Events - Mar, April, May, June, September, October, Western Fuel Nationals - May

Venue Rating:

7+

Lucas Oil Speedway

Site Pros:

Site Cons:

Basic Info:

Directions:

Hosted Events:

Venue Rating:

Dexter Reservior

Site Pros:

Site Cons:

Basic Info:

Directions:

Hosted Events:

Venue Rating:

Lake Ming

Site Pros:

This venue is a very nice facility for watching drag boat racing. Lots of grass, playground for the kids, and the pits are right behind the spectator area. Not crowded during NJBA events. There is a very nice county campground about 1/4 mile from the lake along the Kern River. It is about $15.00/night with paved pull through sites and nice grass. I don't have specific information on that campground, but when I receive it I will make sure it is posted here!

Site Cons:

Very short shutdown area. You are almost guaranteed to see a boat on the beach at the far end. Track runs away from the spectator area. Therefore, the finishline is quite a bit farther out from the shore than the start. Parking is in the silty dirt, so don't wash your car before coming to this venue.

Basic Info:

Directions:

From Hwy 99, take SR 178 East. The highway appears to be a regular city street, but turns into a state road when it goes outside of the city. You will drive by Mesa Marin Raceway and the road will merge with Hwy 184, but the remains hwy 178. Keep going straight until you see the sign for Lake Ming. Make a left at Alfred Harrell Hwy until you reach the Chevron Mini Mart. At that intersection (Lake Ming Rd), turn right and go straight and you will run right into Lake Ming. Parking is on the inside of the loop that goes to the lake.

Hosted Events:

All NJBA Events - Mar, April, May, June, September, October, Western Fuel Nationals - May

Venue Rating:

7+