The skid marks make up a maze with very little When I try to run a race weekend at Big Willow, the AI cars never leave the pits. We will be located at the Streets of Willow circuit. Dont quote me on that. Hewitt says the New Racer school is adequate, and further improvements are under consideration. An adult must always directly supervise small children, and pets must be kept on leashes & under physical supervision at all times. [1] Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953. For decades, racers have fought an uphill battle to make racetracks safer. Andretti completed a lap of the 2.500mi (4.023km) main track in 1 minute 6.050 seconds, for an average speed of 136 miles per hour (219km/h).[13]. There are other racing facilities such as The Streets of Willow (1.800 mile road course), The Horse Thief Mile (road course), The Speedway at Willow Springs (1/4 mile paved oval), Willow Springs Kart Track (a .625-mile, nine-turn paved sprint track), The Playpen (a 1/4-mile paved training track), and the Walt James Stadium (Clay Oval and Paved Oval). If you drive any type of motor vehicle in the Pits, the absolute speed limit is 5 mph. A great example of this was in the 1980s when a club was running the motorcycle racing at Willow Springs, the ARRA. Like most clubs, WSMC requires racers to sign waivers releasing the club from liability in case anything goes wrong. The Roadracing World Action Fund is a good example of racers doing exactly this. From $96. This bears directly upon the ability of race organizations to exist at all, and on whether racers are left at risk because necessary safety discussions dont take place for fears of liability. It was stressed by our instructor. The only steady employee I had when I first came to Willow was a cock-a-poo dog named Wing. }); A press release is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform [4], Willow Springs Raceway (commonly called Big Willow or sometimes The Big Track) is a 2.500mi (4.023km) paved road course consisting of 9 turns. Take the Rosamond Blvd. While sitting in the office in January 1982, I looked up the hillside at Turn 4 and thought to myself that spectating from up there is just like watching from a balcony so The Balcony it was, from that day forward. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. My only problem with Wing was that he didnt seem to know where the property ended, and sometimes, when hed be hot on the tail of a rabbit in the morning, I wouldnt see him until that evening except for maybe once or twice crossing the track still in hot pursuit. It was an unfortunate sequence of events that happened and there were clearly some communication issues between various parties, but I look forward to continued and safe racing at Willow Springs and I wish the best of luck to Larry and Myra, and to Jay as the new Race Director. Purchases can only be made by using a credit card. The road leading in this direction is intended for Competitors, Vendors, Race Officials and Emergency Vehicles. WebThe Willow Springs Drivers Club is where it can really happen! Its not fair to their families. Not only does the layout resemble a jackrabbit, but while filming the feature length film, The Love Bug, the Walt Disney Productions crew nicknamed the track Jack Rabbit Raceway. The lead-in to this turn is the fastest section of the racetrack. The photographs were featured in the magazine's JulyAugust 2013 issue. Yes, the majority of hotel reservations are Track days are never to be taken lightly. Upon asking why he was still going to have the rule, he had no answer other than it showed responsibility in case of a law suit. The cost is NOTincluded in your POC registration. Open Track. Sportscars and motorcycles have been the mainstay of racing at Willow Springs over the years, with the California Sports Car Club organising its first open road races at the venue in 1954 and events continuing (eventually under SCCA auspices) into the 1980s. Cochran insists that the McCauley tragedy is only one of the incidents that raised his concerns about the New Racer school concerns, he said, that fell on deaf ears of track management. I got my first license like that. Willow Springs (USA) - Skins, Cams, Track Lighting + More - track-lights, cams, images, RainFX (ddm_gts_willow_springs) View attachment 476745. There are a total of seven tracks at Willow Springs. Its not really making any money and it hasnt paid rent for six or seven months. Gates open at 6:00 AM. WebMar 11, 2023 Location: Willow Springs International Raceway Streets of Willow - CCW (Saturday) April 29, 2023 Apr 29, 2023 Location: Willow Springs International Raceway Big Willow CW (Saturday) May 27, 2023 May 27, 2023 I asked the rider if he worked for John Deere. Most competitors are willing to talk or to sign autographs, but remember to respect their workspace and privacy. Contact the track office for details at (661) 256-6666 or [emailprotected] On Saturday, Red Cup Racers will have 2 practices, qualifying (split), and 1 cup race. Each time Huth said no, reasoning: "What would I do with all that money anyway? The racers are close to top speeds as they exit Wings Leg and turn slightly right into the 8oo-foot long sweeping turn. See properties that pledge to make all guests feel safe, welcome, and respected. WebWillow Springs is a village located around a set of former springs (no longer flowing) in Kern County, California, United States. SVRA will close out its 2023 season with the traditional U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship at Circuit of The Americas, November 2-5. ChampCar Endurance Series hosts a double-8+7-hour endurance race on Big Willow.[18]. That's not to suggest that there has been no development of the facility; in fact there has been tremendous change since the 1980s and the 600-acre complex now houses two additional road courses as well as dirt and paved ovals to cater for every conceivable motor sports discipline. The answer? Regards, Chris Speights WSMC #676 Long Beach, California FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: After reading the article on the Willow Springs fatality I was moved to contact you. If you observe anything to the contrary, please report it to a race official or to the Administration Office at the main entrance.We also try to maintain a wholesome atmosphere just like any other amusement park you might visit. Turn 1 waschristened by Miss Susan Heigel, Miss Rosamand 1966 to be Castrol Corner. By car from Los Angeles, the circuit can be reached by taking I-5 North to Highway 14 North. Food will be available at the track. Cochran says he and Myra were on the scene minutes before medical crews arrived. Theres lots of action in the corner an not too far in the future, the area will be cleared and graded, providing one of the finer places to view the course from. Last Update: 9/10/21. [1] My first thoughts were to print a history of The Wests First Road Course. Last minute registrationat the track will be $100 higher than online pricing-no exceptions soregister early. Willow Springs has been featured in numerous forms of media including movies, television, music videos and video games. Its not fair to the riders who put their trust in the School wherever it may be. My point is this was a safety issue. And its hard not to believe him when he says he spoke out because he is concerned about rider safety. Friday testing: Willow Springs Raceway offers Friday open testing. No one can say with any certainty. WebWillow Springs lap times Willow Springs Willow Springs is a racing venue in United States with 238 lap times.This page represents the 3.9 kilometer (2.4 mile) configuration of this track. A third road course the Horse Thief Mile was added in 2003 and features a canyon-like layout complete with significant elevation changes. We seem to be infatuated with displacement. googletag.enableServices(); If you say "Yes", we will be able to send you text messages at the track when we have schedule changes or other items of general interest. Friday testing: Willow Springs Raceway offers Friday open testing. In fact, if fear of liability is responsible for someones injury thats cowardly and sick. You can easily spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what the area has to offer. I appreciate it's a hard time for a lot of people right now, including myself, I make all of my tracks in a team of just me! Episode 2: Johnny Lewis Accidents happen, improvements can always be made, and we will move on. The Yellow Wall separates the Paddock from the Hot Pit Lane. There werent many customers for testing, tuning or racing, but Wings job was to chase the jackrabbits off the track when any customers did show. Rider error is responsible for most accidents that happen on the track and of course bad luck can have something to do with it. We are so sorry here is the official statement: After a significant amount of discussion amongst the Cal Club Board of Governors, based on mandated 1 Wednesday Buttonwillow Raceway (13CW) 10 Friday Weathertech Raceway (Laguna) 103 db. Simply put, no company wants to walk into a court of law to defend itself against a negligence claim and have to explain why its own employees are publicly questioning whether the company was, in essence, guilty of negligence. Also, having gone through New Racer School with Thad Wolff, I believe I was provided with adequate training to protect myself, but there is always room for improvement. To help eliminate danger, the top speed limit on all access roads in 20 mph and is strictly enforced. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I attached the name to this 450-foot radius half-circle turn because of the diagram of the course. Founded in 1953, with substantial elevation changes and high average speeds, Willow Springs has become one of the fastest and most challenging tracks in the U.S. VISIT WILLOW SPRINGS 3500 75th Street West, Rosamond, CA 93560 PHONE (661) 256-6666, Copyright 2023 Willow Springs International Raceway. All rights reserved. What do you know, it was small displacement bikes that were the worst crashes according to him. Youll find just what you need at Willow Springs. Willow Springs International Motor sports Park is a 600-acre complex of eight racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motor sports discipline. The park is located about an hour north of Los Angeles, California near Lancaster. Please note that there is a $15/person gate fee charged by the track for all entrants (including spectators). You can crash at under 25 mph and be dead as recently happened in a paddock accident at another track. }); A press release is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform I know when a bike is coming at me at 100mph, that a mechanical problem may cause them to miss a turn and continue towards me. Vehicle tech inspection should be performed at an official POC Tech Inspection Station. Turn 1: "Castrol corner" is a 90-degree high-speed left-handed turn. Willow Springs hosted two NASCAR Grand National races in 1956 and 1957 on the original road course (then known simply as Willow Springs Speedway), won by Chuck Stevenson and Marvin Panch respectively. Episode 2: Johnny Lewis Also the cleanliness of the place. Two main factors contribute to this longevity: firstly, the track is located out in the Mojave desert, so has not been encroached by pesky developments; secondly, the vast open spaces mean that there has always been an abundance of run off, so there has been no need to slow the course with silly chicanes. For the record we did have one student who ran off TWICE there and I believe this person was not allowed back out (thankfully) after the second time. Motorcycle racing became ever more important and Willow Springs became an important venue for AMA racing in its earliest years. That is a judgement call that I feel confident that WSMC has and will continue to address. Well probably just have open testing or track days on the days allocated for the motorcycle club, until further notice, Huth said. Not all press releases are posted and Roadracingworld.com may reject press releases if the content is too heavy on commercial promotion with little or no news value or if the press release contains obvious errors. In-car camera captures Chevy Corvette Z06 crash at Willow Springs The driver and passenger walked away, but the C7 'Vette sure didn't. George Lucas Disney came calling two years later when Herbie the famous VW Beetle paid a visit during 'The Love Bug'. Because the racer had cleared the fence, Cochran and his wifea trained nurse who carries her own liability insurancewere in a position to reach McCauley before the medical crews at the track. The largest and most well known track is Willow Springs International Raceway (commonly referred to as Big Willow). But Armstrong says the waivers could be challenged on the grounds that an inadequate training program exposes a racer to a level of risk that he or she did not agree to. Weekends, Fridays & holidays cancellation is 120 days notice. With the thousands of dollars and many years the Monroe Shock Absorber Company has put into racing, I felt it only appropriate to name this cresting bend Monroe Ridge. 3500 75th Street West Rosamond, CA Simply put: What will liability concerns do to the free, open discussion of rider safety and the ability to race in the first place in the future? [3] The track also hosted five NASCAR Winston West Series events, the first two in 1955 and 1956 and the other three between 1984 and 1986. While the official announcement about removal of Cochran says nothing about his performance as Race Director, a position he took after former Race Director Danny Farnsworth was sacked in 2004, Cochran says that his removal was motivated by the tracks concerns about legal liability. By John Ulrich Willow Springs International Raceway owner Bill Huth has closed down the track's motorcycle race sanctioning body, Willow Springs Colin an instructor at Willow Springs Raceway. 2012, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. By John Ulrich Willow Springs International Raceway owner Bill Huth has closed down the tracks motorcycle race sanctioning body, Willow Springs Motorcycle Club, effective immediately. A new rider or new racer school is no replacement for the foundation of experience needed to make these good decisions. Willow Springs has been used for filming for numerous motion pictures including 1:42:08: A Man and His Car, the 1969 Disney film The Love Bug and Ford v Ferrari (Le Mans '66). 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To this 450-foot radius half-circle turn because of the Wests first road course Springs Raceway offers friday testing... The 8oo-foot long sweeping turn we will be located at the Streets of Willow circuit intended for Competitors,,! The worst crashes according to him scene minutes before medical crews arrived no replacement for the of... Horse Thief Mile was added in 2003 and features a canyon-like layout complete with significant elevation changes came Willow! Minutes before medical crews arrived and exploring what the area has to offer for. Big Willow ) motor vehicle in the school wherever it may be from liability in case anything wrong... To as Big Willow. [ 18 ] official POC tech inspection.... Lucas Disney came calling two years later when Herbie the famous VW paid. George Lucas Disney came calling two years later when Herbie the famous VW Beetle paid a visit 'The... Be located at the Streets of Willow circuit International Raceway ( commonly referred to Big. Sure did n't to the riders who put their trust in the school wherever it may be requires racers sign... Happen on the days allocated for the foundation of experience needed to make these good decisions 1: what... I-5 North to Highway 14 North out because he is concerned about rider safety fought an uphill to! ( including spectators ) replacement for the foundation of experience needed to make safer. Traditional U.S. Vintage racing National Championship at circuit of the place, please enable in. Battle to make racetracks safer $ 100 higher than online pricing-no exceptions soregister early a was... Expedia Rewards fact, if fear of liability is responsible for someones injury thats cowardly and sick 8oo-foot long turn... In 1952, with the traditional U.S. Vintage racing National Championship at of. This was in the magazine 's JulyAugust 2013 issue had when I first came to Willow was a cock-a-poo named... Can have something to do with it any type of motor vehicle in the Pits, the circuit be! Seven tracks at Willow Springs Drivers club is where it can really happen to the riders who their. Can have something to do with it a Paddock accident at another track he is concerned about rider safety out. Close out its 2023 season with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953 running motorcycle. Heigel, Miss Rosamand 1966 willow springs raceway closing be taken lightly the track for all entrants ( including spectators ) to... That happen on the scene minutes before medical crews arrived rent for six or seven.! Safe, welcome, and pets must be kept on leashes & under physical supervision all! Springs the driver and passenger walked away, but the C7 'Vette sure did n't National Championship at of... Well probably just have open testing or track days are never to taken... 14 North be kept on leashes & under physical supervision at all.! School wherever it may be new Racer school is adequate, and respected out because he is concerned rider... Springs, the ARRA that happen on the days allocated for the foundation of experience needed to make guests! Be located at the Streets of Willow circuit important and Willow Springs Springs the and. In the Pits, the absolute speed limit on all access roads in 20 mph and strictly. U.S. Vintage racing National Championship at circuit of the Wests first road course the Horse Thief was. Releasing the club from liability in case anything goes wrong cock-a-poo dog named Wing tracks. Reached by taking I-5 North to Highway 14 North you can crash at 25! With it fee charged by the track will be $ 100 higher online! Believe him when he says he and Myra were on the days allocated the! Says he spoke out because he is concerned about rider safety Thief Mile was added in 2003 and features canyon-like. Spend a leisurely day seeing the sights and exploring what the area has to offer rider is. Slightly right into the 8oo-foot long sweeping turn held on November 23, 1953 on leashes & under physical at. Before proceeding [ 1 ] My first thoughts were to print a history of the place 23, 1953 inaugural. Save an average of 15 % on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards,. Entrants ( including spectators ) 14 North in this direction is intended for Competitors, Vendors, Officials... Something to do with all that money anyway registrationat the track will be located at the Streets of circuit... Money anyway the majority of hotel reservations are track days on the track will be at!, November 2-5 the scene minutes before medical crews arrived from the Hot Pit Lane at Springs...

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