Willow Springs International Motorsports Park
Encyclopedia
Willow Springs, Kern County, California
Willow Springs is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California, United States. It is located west of Rosamond, at an elevation of 2523 feet .Willow Springs is the site of the Willow Springs International Motorsports Park....
near Rosamond
Rosamond, California
Rosamond is a census-designated place in Kern County, California, USA, north of Palmdale, in the Antelope Valley, the westernmost desert valley of the Mojave Desert. Rosamond is also south of Mojave, , and north of Lancaster at an elevation of 2342 feet...
and Lancaster
Lancaster, California
Lancaster is a charter city in northern Los Angeles County, in the high desert, near the Kern County line. Lancaster currently ranks as the 30th largest city in California, and the 148th largest city in the United States. Lancaster is the principal city within the Antelope Valley...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and is about an hour north of Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. It is a historic race track, in existence more than fifty years. Construction of the track began in 1952, with the inaugural first race held on November 23, 1953. The main track is a challenging 2.5 miles (4 km) long road course that is unchanged from its original 1953 configuration. The interesting elevation changes and high average speeds make it a favorite of many road racing drivers.
Willow Springs International Raceway Park also features other racing facilities such as The Streets of Willow (1.8 mile road course), The Horsethief Mile (road course), Willow Springs Speedway (1/4 mile paved oval), Willow Springs Kart Track (a .625-mile, 9-turn paved sprint track), The Playpen (a 1/4-mile paved training track), and the Walt James Stadium (Clay Oval and Paved Oval).
Efforts by fans have resulted in the State of California declaring Willow Springs International Raceway as a California Point of Historical Interest in 1996.
Description
- Turn 1: "Castrol corner" is a 90 degree high speed left-hander.
- Turn 2: "The Rabbits Ear" is a double apex sweeper
- Turn 3/4: "The Omega" is an uphill and downhill section with camber change, this is the most technical segment of the layout
- Turn 5: A quick left-hander that sets up for the fastest sections of the track
- Turn 6: "Monroe Ridge" is a gradual bump. It is common for fast riders on higher powered motorcycles to lift the front wheel over this downhill section. A good line and drive through this turn is essential for a good lap time.
- Turn 7 - "the Kink" - a slight bend in the track.
- Turn 8: High speed right hand corner. The lead in to this turn is the fastest section of the racetrack and coupled with the turn itself - probably the most critical for a good lap time. It is also the fastest turn on any racetrack west of the Mississippi River.
- Turn 9: Decreasing radius right hander, with a big dip right before the apex. A good line through this turn is crucial for top speed on the front straightway to the start/finish line.
Streets of Willow Springs: Constructed in 1987. A 1.8 miles (2.9 km) road course with multiple configurations, it has an attached Skid Pad measuring 400 ft (121.9 m). by 350 ft (106.7 m). and a 60 ft (18.3 m). by 40 ft (12.2 m). garage. Located just north of Willow Springs International Raceway on 70th St. West., it is accessible through the Main Track entrance, or the 70th St. West gate. Racing fuel and tire service are available daily.
Horse Thief Mile: 1 miles (1.6 km) canyon-like road course
Willow Springs Speedway: ¼-mile paved oval
Walt James Stadium: 3/8-mile dirt oval