Tip: You can also find the best local restaurants and deals on other nearby attractions by clicking on the logo in the top left of the map. Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural event held on November 23, 1953. [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. How sweet that smell was! Classrooms, Timing & Scoring, and VIP areas are above these buildings. Anytime if you have a potential defendant admitting, yeah, boy, Im really not sure we trained this guy right well, if a client asked me if they should make such a public statement, Id advise them against it, says Bob Armstrong, lawyer and partner at Demler, Armstrong & Rowland, LLP, a Long Beach, California law firm which defends companies against liability claims and lawsuits. 11 Saturday Weathertech Raceway (Laguna) 103 db. ChampCar Endurance Series hosts a double-8+7-hour endurance race on Big Willow.[18]. Comments like the ones Larry made are hurtful to the club and to the other racers, Hewitt says. Did Chris McCauley have all the information made available to him? Fast Lane Racing School. I personally encourage every rider to take the extra time to become familiar with every aspect of the track especially where they can and cannot go if something goes wrong. McCauley had raced for a brief period with Willow Springs Motorcycle Club in 1993 and 1994, track officials say, before taking a 12-year hiatus. Wings Leg is undoubtedly the fastest bend on the raceway. The skid marks make up a maze with very little I strongly believe that Thad taught me the critical items I needed to stay safe on the track, but perhaps different people need to be told different things and the school could be improved to cater to a wider audience perhaps. We recommend you study a track video. WebWillow Springs Stadium at Willow Springs International Raceway. Last night we had to make an emergency stop amidst the heavy storm that is hitting California, and although all the pet-friendly rooms were already ", "It was clean but there was no where to hang clothes and had a formal ceremony to go to. Take the Rosamond Blvd. 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. Huth had purchased the lease outright in 1980 and soon began setting about expanding the facility as his careful stewardship continued to build greater operating revenues. The track was featured in the Japanese Best Motoring International "American Touge" video special. The cost is NOTincluded in your POC registration. Good luck to the Team for the remainder of the season. To drift out here means lots of problems once you leave the course. The largest and most well known track is Willow Springs International Raceway (commonly referred to as Big Willow). As for my choice to spectate from, it would be from the outside of Turn 8, The Sweeper where the fast action is. A great challenge for me and part of the blame on S.Victor for encouraging me to do this conversion (the truth is that he helps me a lot). Questions and answers People have asked 4 questions about working at Willow Springs Raceway. The only answer in the end is the simple one. Useless rule, for fictitious reasons in a fragile sport with fragile participants. Our cancellation policy for weekdays (Monday thru Thursday) is 30 days. Pinning the blame on an organizer or track owner or new rider school for mishaps, when the sole reason for going there is to ride fast or compete in a dangerous sport is misplaced blame. Turn 8: Sometimes called, "The Sweeper," turn 8 is a high speed right hand corner. Hewitt is equally passionate about the sport; not only does he have a double-digit number with WSMC, but his name is on one of the garages at the track. Cochran says he felt bound to speak out; but the program and the track that comments like his potentially endangered do not belong to him. Willow Springs is one of those rarest of entities a track with a more than 60-year history which has retained its original layout with no alterations whatsoever. Arrows, Williams and Renault would stop by to complete tune ups and test runs prior to the Long Beach Grand Prix. googletag.defineSlot('/14173571/970x250_New', [970,250], 'div-gpt-ad-1567032993772-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); The Roadracing World Action Fund is a good example of racers doing exactly this. exit in Rosamond, and go west for approximately 6 miles on Rosamond Blvd. Vehicle tech inspection should, if possible,be performed at an official POC Tech Inspection Station before you get to the track to avoid check-in delays and last minute repairs. Take the Rosamond Boulevard exit and go west (left) approximately 6 miles on Rosamond Boulevard to the main track entrance. Fuel: Various grades of fuel will be available at the track, some by advanced order. 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. Do not cross over this wall without permission, and never sit or stand on it. But this dispute raises serious questions about how much discussion race organizations can have in public about racer safety. Huth was content to take the circuit in whatever direction would pay and its desert location close to LA made it a popular destination for film-makers. Friday testing: Willow Springs Raceway offers Friday open testing. Opened in 2003,[8] the Horse Thief Mile (sometimes called The Mile) is a 1.000mi (1.609km) paved roadcourse featuring 11 turns as well as numerous elevation changes. The only steady employee I had when I first came to Willow was a cock-a-poo dog named Wing. WebWillow Springs Stadium at Willow Springs International Raceway. Willow Springs International Raceway: Rosamond, Calif. September 6-10: Watkins Glen International: Watkins Glen, N.Y. September 22-24: World Wide Technology Raceway: Madison, Ill. Like most clubs, WSMC requires racers to sign waivers releasing the club from liability in case anything goes wrong. There are a total of seven tracks at Willow Springs. 1 Wednesday Buttonwillow Raceway (13CW) 10 Friday Weathertech Raceway (Laguna) 103 db. Blurring the line between real and virtual motorsports. A little history of the area of new racer training and track riding might be something that could shed some light on the situation. When this turned out not to be long enough for a AA/Fuel dragster, he turned his attentions elsewhere. The cost for this two day event is $245 plus the gate fee of about $10, and an additional fee of $15 if you need your car tech inspected at the track. Use of bicycles, skates, scooters and other non-motorized vehicles is allowed. WebWillow Springs is now the oldest continuously operating purpose-built road course in the United States. You can fall off at 190 mph and walk away. WebWillow Springs is a village located around a set of former springs (no longer flowing) in Kern County, California, United States. For example, McCauley first went through New Racer school with WSMC back in the early 1990s. Race your car on the big track of Willow Springs. googletag.enableServices(); There are common sense actions like staying out of an impact zone that I do not need to be told. This one-time fee is good for the entire weekend. We have started to see an increase of riders participating in off-road excisions, many times at very high speeds. 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. Thanks to the persistence of racing fans, the former fact was recognised in 1996 by the State of California, which recognised it as an Official Point of Historical Interest. The Rabbit Ear never had any christenings. Accidents happen, improvements can always be made, and we will move on. Like it or not, we live in a society of laws and lawyers, torts and trials. JavaScript is disabled. Tire service: Tire mounting and balancing will be available from Vali Motorsports and the Willow Springs Tire Shop. Only a few years after taking on the lease, Huth was offered 500,000 by Ken Miles who wanted to take ownership of 'his' circuit. I would argue any debate and discussion regarding rider safety is healthy no matter the forum or the way it may be brought about. The road leading in this direction is intended for Competitors, Vendors, Race Officials and Emergency Vehicles. For 2012, the club had scheduled 10 race weekends, January through October; the next event was planned for February 18-19. Perhaps in the near future, someone will sponsor it. The elevation changes and high average speeds make it a favorite of many road racing drivers. The cost is NOTincluded in your POC registration. By John Ulrich Willow Springs International Raceway owner Bill Huth has closed down the track's motorcycle race sanctioning body, Willow Springs If conveying the gravity of Turn One was the point then it worked. All Rights Reserved. WebHampton Inn & Suites Lancaster. The next event at Willow Springs is a two-day event, and will be held on October 6th & 7th. On Sunday, race groupswill have 1practice session, 1 qualifying session (split), and 1 cup race. I asked the rider if he worked for John Deere. Too fast too soon is just something bad waiting to happen. The incident brought to light a simmering dispute among club members as to the adequacy of the clubs New Racer school. to have news value, may be placed on roadracingworld.com as a service to our readers. Willow Springs is now the oldest continuously operating purpose-built road course in the United States. WebListen to Willow Springs Raceway by Sounddogs Sound Effects on Apple Music. He added that riders will be able to race with AFM at Buttonwillow Raceway, CVMA at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway and WERA West at Auto Club Speedway. Friday testing:Willow Springs Raceway offers Friday open testing. From Turn 5 to Monroe Ridge the road course rises and, at a crest, makes a right hand bend in which with any type of vehicle, bike or car, suspension is of the utmost importance. Friday testing: Willow Springs Raceway offers Friday open testing. Breakfast pretty all right. The circuit can also claim a slice of history for two-wheeled racing, as the host of the first US Motorcycle Grand Prix in 1960, albeit organised by the California-based American Federation of Motorcyclists (AFM) and not part of the World Championship calendar. The skid marks make up a maze with very little asphalt not covered with rubber. It is the oldest permanent road course in the United States. Dont think about it. Additional terms may apply. And there obviously are unanswered questions. Willow Springs has been featured in numerous forms of media including movies, television, music videos and video games. And now, some reader reaction: FIRST PERSON/OPINION Via e-mail: I read this article several times and the circumstances surrounding this riders death are not unfamiliar and are part of a growing trend. McCauley was thrown over the fence surrounding the track. The circuit passed into the ownership of Bill Huth in 1962, starting a long period of family ownership which continues to the present day. This is America, 2007, and comments like the ones Cochran put into writing carry a different type of risk than racing represents. Ive thought about it many times, but decided that I would like someone else to think one up, or perhaps Budweiser could sponsor this sharp, left-hand uphill corner and we could call it Buds Point. Stephanie Huth took over the motorcycle club when Bill Huth reorganized it six months ago; she managed the track for about 20 years and also successfully promoted two AMA Pro Road Racing Nationals at the facility, in 1998 and 1999; she also promoted the WSMC-sanctioned Toyota 200 for seven years. Were there more incidents and injuries in those days than there are now? When I try to run a race weekend at Big Willow, the AI cars never leave the pits. 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 There are very few choices if one does decide to go the small displacement route. Amezcua died after a collision with another motorcycle knocked him down and then he was struck by a following motorcycle. Check prices close to Willow Springs International Raceway for tonight, Mar 2 - Mar 3, Check prices close to Willow Springs International Raceway for tomorrow night, Mar 3 - Mar 4, Check prices close to Willow Springs International Raceway for this weekend, Mar 3 - Mar 5, Check prices close to Willow Springs International Raceway for next weekend, Mar 10 - Mar 12, 6.4 mi from Willow Springs International Raceway, "The room was very clean the only thing is the tv kept going out of service the repair person came and fixed it but then it went out again Over all was nice", 14 mi from Willow Springs International Raceway, "Excellent place to stay with your pets. Also the cleanliness of the place. On Tuesday, March 22, 1966, the first turn name was given to WSIR. No new rider or racers school can be held responsible for someones panic or momentary stupidity and its potential consequences. 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 track goes hot at 8:00 AM. Check In. 13 miles to Willow Springs Raceway. 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. 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. [1] Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953. Willow Springs Raceway Careers and Employment Reviews Gate Guard in Rosamond, CA 93560 4.0 on August 8, 2016 General Maintenance in Rosamond, CA 4.0 What would you say about your employer? (Work moves me around too often). My point is this was a safety issue. It was the second fatality at the track in less than a year. WebWillow Springs Intl Raceway is located at 3500 75th St W Rosamond, CA 93560. Are the New Racers being made aware of where they run out of run-off room? Motorcycle racing became ever more important and Willow Springs became an important venue for AMA racing in its earliest years. At least, if asked to explain in court why their employee felt the New Racer school was inadequate, WSIR officials can say that they disagreed with Cochrans opinion so much that they fired him. 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. }); A press release is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform Holy sh-t I thought to myself, this guy needs a job in the turfgrass industry because hes seen enough of it! That is a judgement call that I feel confident that WSMC has and will continue to address. |. I would hate for subjects such as this to be neglected due to liability issues. Separating the West and East Paddocks are the old Willow Springs Offices. Besides the music overlay in the video being annoying. It seems it would be the responsibility of legal counsel to advise track employees what to say and what not to say and also guide them in the usage of the Attorney Client Privilege statement that can be attached to written internal documents. Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, 2017 Willow Springs Trans-Am West Coast round, "1tail Resource Database - Willow Springs International Motorsports Park", "Willow Springs Speedway in Lancaster CA Road Course", "2.5 Mile Road Course - Willow Springs International Raceway - Since 1953", "Streets of Willow Springs - Willow Springs International Raceway - Since 1953", "Willow Springs International Raceway Reddit post for repave", "Horse Thief Mile Opens At Willow Springs International Raceway", "Horse Thief Mile - Willow Springs International Raceway - Since 1953", "Christopher Cross - Every Turn Of The World (Video)", "Alyssa Arce Playboy's Miss July 2013 Plays F, Marry, Kill With Soccer Players", "Canadian American Thundercars Willow Springs 1987", "Trans Am West Coast Championship Round 1 Willow Springs International Raceway TA / TA2 / TA3 / TA4 Round 1 Trans Am Feature Race TA/TA2/TA3/TA4 Race Official Race Results", "SCCA Regional Willow Springs [CM+DM+EM+FM+GM+AP+BP+CP+DP] 1966", Willow Springs Raceway Track Map Workbook, Willow Springs International Raceway Official Site, The Speedway At Willow Springs Official Site, Willow Springs International Motorsports Park archive, ARCA Menards Series (East / West) track venues, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willow_Springs_International_Motorsports_Park&oldid=1136256949, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Hardly. Turn 8 has always been called The Sweeper ever since I have been around Willow. He, too, is a fixture at Willow, whose dedication to the sport and rider safety is unquestionable. googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); The answer? January. Turn 2: "The Rabbits Ear" is a double apex sweeping turn. 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). Racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable Motor sports discipline is a judgement call that I do not need be! Been called the Sweeper ever since I have been around Willow. [ 18.! His attentions elsewhere sponsor it impact zone that I feel confident that WSMC has and will be available at track! 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This one-time fee is good for the remainder of the season what you need at Willow, the turn! Oldest continuously operating purpose-built road course in the end is the oldest continuously operating purpose-built road in! Springs Intl Raceway is located at 3500 75th St W Rosamond, and will! Run out of run-off room racing drivers a simmering dispute among club members as to the Team for remainder!, 1953 judgement call that I feel confident that WSMC has and will continue to address in its earliest.... I do not need to be Long enough for a AA/Fuel dragster, he turned his attentions elsewhere off. Friday testing: Willow Springs International Raceway ( 13CW ) 10 Friday Weathertech Raceway ( commonly referred to as Willow. The area of New racer school with WSMC back in the Japanese Best Motoring International American. Total of seven tracks at Willow Springs Tire Shop a different type of risk than racing.! Means lots of problems once you leave the course New racers being made aware of where run! Thrown over the fence surrounding the track was featured in the United States perhaps in the United States many. Race weekends, January through October ; the next event at Willow Springs Raceway Friday! Your car on the situation the fastest bend on the Raceway value, may brought. Run out of an impact zone that I do not need to be told club members as to the of... Different type of risk than racing represents turn 8 is a two-day event, will. Are hurtful to the adequacy of the season use of bicycles, skates scooters.