This is lightly modified from a Twitter thread that covered the same topic.
This week I want to cover a subject that I am working on writing about in greater length: the 1989-1991 United States Formula 1 Grands Prix, which took place on a street circuit in Downtown Phoenix.
It feels like these races have been largely forgotten in Phoenix, save the occasional Arizona Republic article asking “Was there really a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Phoenix?” Admittedly, it’s hard to imagine the fastest cars & drivers in the world racing on the streets of Downtown Phoenix.As you may be noticing, Downtown Phoenix looked a little different 30 years ago. Sans many of the buildings we know today, it looks sparse and frankly un-downtownish. It’s a testament to the effort of the City to Phoenix and grassroots leaders that Downtown has come so far since.While the story of the growth of Downtown Phoenix over the last 30 years is a tremendous one, the story of the races that took place there is perhaps even more interesting. I’ll explain more later, but here’s a clue: the 1989 race was held on June 4. It was 97 degrees. You might ask: “Who in their right mind would plan a race in Phoenix on June 4?” Well, they didn’t! Phoenix was awarded the race when the original host, Detroit, fell through. In fact, Phoenix only signed a contract with F1 in January, less than 6 months before the race. Interestingly, Phoenix had been planning to recruit a major race as an economic development tool. It’s a longer and more complicated story than this has time for, but the race was exactly what Phoenix wanted, albeit on slightly shorter notice than expected.
Okay, let’s talk about the races themselves. Remember, these were street circuits, so they built a track on the streets of Phoenix. You can see the 1989 circuit below and suffice it to say, such a track could not be built in Downtown Phoenix today.
The starting grid for the 1989 US Grand Prix was littered with legends of the sport. Drivers like Ayrton Senna, Alan Prost, Nigel Mansell, Nelson Piquet, and Gerhard Berger all took part. However, one name not listed here has perhaps the most interesting connection to this race.That driver is Eddie Cheever. See, Eddie Cheever was actually born in Phoenix and this race came in his last season. Poetically, he finished on the podium – his last podium ever – in his home town. Here, you can see him in his Arrows-Ford car in action.Despite the heat, more than 30,000 fans attended the race. Alan Prost won the race, with Ricardo Patrese in 2nd, and Cheever in 3rd. Ayrton Senna had the fastest lap, but was forced to retire with electrical problems. Check out a news report on the race:
Smartly, the 1990 race was moved from June to March. The more comfortable temperatures didn’t do much to help the crowds though, as estimates have it topped out at 15,000 – less than half of the prior year’s number.Though fewer fans were in attendance, this was an absolutely epic race and was voted as the best United States Grand Prix by F1 fans in 2015. Ayrton Senna and Jean Alesi battled all race, with Senna taking the win. Here’s a great recap of the race:
You’ll note that in the video linked in the last tweet, the voiceover refers to the Phoenix circuit as brutal. That’s no joke, the roads were rough, sending sparks flying from the cars throughout the race. Even more so, the barriers lining the track were unforgiving concrete.
The podium had Senna in 1st, with Alesi in 2nd and Thierry Boutsen in 3rd. The prior year’s winner, Alan Prost, was forced to retire from the race. I have no reason to be nostalgic for a race that happened before I was born, but I would have loved to have seen this race.The third and final year of the Phoenix US F1 Grand Prix was 1991. Held in March once again, the 1991 race featured a slightly different street circuit, seen here. You’ll notice that this photo isn’t a screencap – I was given a copy of the 1991 program (thank you MJ)!This race featured many of the greats that had taken part in years prior: Senna, Prost, Alesi, Piquet. It also marked the debut of future World Champion Mika Hakkinen. Hakkinen, along with more than half the field, was forced to retire from the race.Another great race, this was voted the 3rd best United States Grand Prix in the same F1 poll that the 1990 race was voted the best. Though this did not feature much competition for first, the battle for second was fierce, with Prost eventually making an terrific pass to take it. The final podium had Senna in 1st again, with Prost in 2nd and Picquet in 3rd. Sadly, attendance was so poor that this race marked the last US F1 Grand Prix until 2000, with F1 deciding to replace it with a race in South Africa.
It seems, however, that I am not the only person who is nostalgic for the races that took place in Downtown Phoenix. Look for the mural of Ayrton Senna, located at Central & Buchanan. It was commissioned by @ericsch89 and as far as I know, is the only tribute to the race in town.
It’s not entirely clear why the race failed in Phoenix. Maybe it was that people couldn’t be bothered to make the drive to Downtown. Maybe it was that the first race was too hot. Maybe Phoenix just wasn’t ready. Whatever the reason, the crowds didn’t show and the race left. I think it’s that the race was so poorly attended that has left it adrift in the history of Phoenix. Certainly, that was a different era, but it’s an incredible moment in the Valley’s history that probably will never happen again. I hold out hope for Formula E race in Downtown Phoenix. Anyway, I hope to write a book about Phoenix in this era that centers on these races. It was such a weird time in the Valley, with so many somewhat forgotten moments like this. Thanks, as always for reading!
Sources include: Wikipedia, Getty Images, DeviantArt, Simanitis Says, Formula 1, ESPN, Rick DeBruhl, The Observer, New York Times, and Ayrton Senna dot com.
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