Malibu Grand Prix
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (April 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Malibu Grand Prix is an entertainment company that was hugely popular during the 1970s and 1980s as a franchised miniature indy car racing track. The typical complex included a 3000-4000 sq ft. arcade with a concession stand and a race track outside, covering around 10,000 to 20,000 sq ft. altogether.
Contents |
[edit] Sites
[edit] Tampa location
One of a few of the remaining facilities, in Tampa, Florida includes two 18-hole miniature golf courses surrounded by ponds and obstacles, a game room, a snack bar, a 1/2 mile (800 m) race track with 3/4 scale Indy-style Formula race cars and a separate go-kart track for younger kids.
The Malibu Grand Prix location in Tampa, Florida became independent from the other locations and the name was changed to Tampa Grand Prix.
[edit] Houston locations
Houston, Texas once had two Malibu Grand Prix locations. The Southwest Freeway location was shuttered in the late-1980s (the original building remains; the race track was demolished) in response to the infamous Malibu Grand Prix murders where three former employees were convicted (two received the death penalty, and one sentenced to life imprisonment).[1] The other was off the Southwest Freeway and the northwest corner of the West Loop 610 at Old Katy Road (the Old Katy location was the remaining Malibu Grand Prix location until it was boarded up in early-2005).
[edit] Oklahoma City location
There was also a Malibu Grand Prix in Oklahoma City, OK from the 1970s through the mid to early 1990s. The facility was closed and demolished. There is now a storage facility in it's place. It was located on I-35 between SW 59th and SW 44th streets.
[edit] Columbus location
Columbus, Ohio had a Malibu Grand Prix located on the north side of the city on Schrock Road, visible from Interstate 71. The Columbus location was primarily the Grand Prix track, and had a relatively small arcade in comparison to other locations. Operations ceased during the mid-late 1990s, and the building is now an Islamic school. Some portions of the track can be seen in the school's playground. The Columbus location was also the site of a violent crime -- an unsolved double murder in the early 1980s, as two high school students were abducted from the Malibu Grand Prix and dragged to their deaths behind a vehicle.[citation needed] The case was never solved, and no motive was determined.
[edit] Fresno location
Fresno, California was home to one of the first Malibu Grand Prix locations, located near the intersection of Blackstone Ave and Herndon Ave. The facility stood from 1977 until 1997, at which time its 20 year lease on the property was up. The location was briefly renamed "Fresno Grand Prix" after being acquired by an independent investor, though the property owner eventually sold the parcel of land, which included one of the last drive-in movie theaters in California. The building and track were demolished to make way for an expansion of the River Park Shopping Center. The land once occupied by the track is now a Home Depot parking lot.
[edit] Southern New Jersey location
Southern New Jersey had a Malibu Grand Prix located in Mount Laurel on Fellowship road. Operations ceased and the building remained unused for years. Upon subsequent demolition for an office park the body of an unidentified person was located on the formers grounds.[citation needed] As of January 2007, the case remains open.
[edit] Denver location
A Malibu Grand Prix with a track and arcade, was located north of Denver, CO at Interstate 25 exit 215 (58th Ave). The location is now a Furniture Row store.
[edit] Palace Entertainment Buyout
In 2002, Palace Entertainment purchased the three remaining Malibu Grand Prix locations. These locations are located in Redwood City, California, Norcross, Georgia, and San Antonio, Texas. Palace operates additional locations in Los Angeles, California and Dallas, Texas
[edit] References in popular culture
- Malibu Grand Prix is mentioned in the song "Demolition Rickshaw!" on The Aquabats' 2005 album, Charge!!.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Tampa Grand Prix
- Malibu Grand Prix
- Le Mans for the Masses Time Magazine, Sept. 1977
- Abandoned Malibu Grand Prix in Houston
|
|||||||||||||||||
