Sad day at Speedworld
 

Sadly, today was the last day of flying at Speedword in Phoenix. Following a three month attempt by our club, our attorney's, and the attorney's representing AMA we've been totally unsuccessful in an attempt to remain open. The State of Arizona is, at this juncture, demanding that we make no further contact with their representatives. So, following a brief flying session this morning we rolled up the rug, stored all movable item and bid a sad farewell to one of the premier RC flying sites in the country. The Arizona Republic (Phoenix Newspaper) had a reporter and photographer on hand to record our demise and will publish our story in Saturday's edition. Let me take this opportunity to thank each of you for your suggestion's, encouragement, and support these last few months. A special thank you must go to the AMA (they've really tried), and to the many pilots who signed letters at Best in the West for our Governors review. I'll keep you posted as to any future positive progress. In the meantime keep the nose up, power on, and trap the # 3 wire.

Chris Balling

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

sad news indeed. barry

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

I didn't know there was a fight going on.

Is there a link to the rest of this story?


******EDIT******


I just googled it... and found a raceway web site. It looks like it was private owned. Did the state close it down? Looks like a great place.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Speedworld was one of the best places to fly. This will effect alot of pilots, a lot who may not even fly there regularly.

Did all of the r/c activities shut down there or was it just the runway?

Billy

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Chris. So sad and sorry to hear this. I signed the first electronic petition and was hoping things would turn around for you guys. Keep us posted on the precedings involved.

Roy.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Sorry Chris, i was looking forward to coming out in December when i visit Phx! Hopefully the book hasnt been closed for good. Nick

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Sorry to hear the news Chris.

Thank you for all of your efforts to keep Speedworld open and for being such a wonderful CD at DJS.

As you said- "Nose up, power on...." I hope that this is merely a set back and not the demise of DJS. The event was extraordinary and talked about often amongst the CO gang. We will think positively and hope the search for an alternate site is fruitful. Please continue to keep us updated and let us know what we can do to help support you and the cause.

J.P.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Chris,
Best of luck to you and Speedworld RC in pulling out of this. Let's all hope for an "OK, NO comment" pass in the near future! I know that Desert Storm Jets was the draw for folks outside Phoenix, but this is a real blow to all your regular club members. I certainly enjoyed my flying at Speedworld on my winter visits to Phoenix.
Regards,
Gus

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

how can they demand that you make no further contact with your elected represenatives in state govt?? As long as you are not harrassing, threatening or otherwise disrupting the process of goverment, you should be able to communicate with your elected officials at any time about any concerns.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

For those of us coming late here's a fairly ballanced article

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...unty-says.html

Sad news is you've got a land owner who's out of code and a code enforcement agency that hasn't done its job in decades, all of a sudden deciding to do its job.

Ignorance of the law is...

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

I read that but haven't found any recent articles.  I'm wondering if there has been a change in the guard within the local government and someone has it in for the business owner. Seems the entire operation brings in big dollars to the local economy and it would be foolish to shut that down /cut it off while some legal details are worked out. Possibly more to this story than has been told?

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

I don't think these are elected officials.


I shouldnt post from my phone, UHHH

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Hmmmm it's just a shame that there isn't an election coming up for a hotly contested senatorial seat so that the candidates would commit to put some "pressure" on the hired help.......but wait there is......[:-]

Tailwinds,

John

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

So sorry to hear this.<div>I know first hand what you guys are going thru, 2 yrs ago they closed RC World here in Orlando . It was just engulfed by housing deivelopments.</div>

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Thanks for linking the story.

It's a shame that you guys are loosing the flying site... but it really sounds like the owners were just trying to get around the local laws.

I'm not sure why the owner wouldn't have just done a temp closure. That would have put him in "Good Favor" with the building people, and I'm sure, he would have been re-opened quick. Now it sounds like it's a forced closure, and loss of his Biz.

Keep us posted if they get you guys re-opened.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

That just STINKS Chris.... hopefully people will come to their senses.... Magoo

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

I have a friend that is a member of that club. He tells me the trouble is not the county but the proprietor, Mathews. Apparently he has done things to the property without securing permits. They have asked him to bring the improvement up to the code that would cost over $1m. He don't have the money. He is now on vacation in Mexico. We speculate he is there to avoid subpenas.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Iam sorry to hear this Chris, Best of luck to the club, I hope you find a new home soon. Joe C!!!

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Chris, devastated to hear this. Hopefully the regular flyers get a new venue soon so they can keep their thumbs and fingers nimble. And on a selfish note, I hope this doesn't mean you are throwing the towel in on Desert Jet Storm, the premiere winter jet event. Keep us posted bud, and lets get that February event rocking and rolling again at a different venue.

All my best,
Shaz

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Sad Indeed. What are they doing with it Soccer Fields???? That happened here in Missouri 20 years ago or so.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

this sure leaves a lot of unanswered questions. sorry to hear pilots have lost a flying site. hopefully, the club can move to another location.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.71666717529297px; ">
</span><span style="font-size: medium; "><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; "><span style="line-height: 18.71666717529297px; ">Dan Matthews should not have hired an attorney to "fight City Hall" at all.
He should have done it the American way, started at the bottom and padded the back pockets all the way to the top of everyone that had anything to do with land managment. Simple,
It's all about the $$$

He'd still be in business today.<br type="_moz" /></span></span></span>

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Maybe someone didn't get enough "padding" !

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

Sounds like if he gets the permits he is good to go, hoping he does that and gets it going again.

RE: Sad day at Speedworld
 

The only part of his sports complex that was shut down, was the R/C part. The rest is still open (Drag strip, Motorcross track, Dirt track, and Sand Drag/Mud Pit Racing.