For example, McCauley first went through New Racer school with WSMC back in the early 1990s. 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. 11 00. Tires, fuel, garages, racing services, race control, announcing, restaurant, gift shop and vendors are also located in the East Paddock.We also recommend parking at the paved parking available at the Budweiser Balcony to enjoy one of the best views in motor racing (included in the general admission) for an up-close look at the twisty bits of the track, as well as a breath-taking panorama of the beautiful Antelope Valley and the surrounding mountains. If I need to cancel the hotel reservation for my stay near Willow Springs International Raceway, will I receive a refund? RacingCircuits.info. 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. [6] The track was repaved in late 2021 after numerous complaints of the deteriorating quality of the track.[7]. We seem to be infatuated with displacement. Find the best deals near to the circuit on hotels, apartments and rooms to rent from the map below. 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. Insofar as the subject of race schools I attended Team Hammer at Daytona in October 2006. The circuit passed into the ownership of Bill Huth in 1962, starting a long period of family ownership which continues to the present day. [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. Turn 2: "The Rabbits Ear" is a double apex sweeping turn. [12], Willow Springs tracks have been featured in video games including Need for Speed: ProStreet, Need for Speed: Shift, Gran Turismo 6, Gran Turismo Sport, Gran Turismo 7 and Project CARS, The overall track record is held by Michael Andretti in a 1987 CART Indycar. January. Separating the West and East Paddocks are the old Willow Springs Offices. Unfortunately an inexperienced rider or racer may not have the situational awareness needed to make an informed decision. 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. Organizations, in some cases, are just covering their butts in a potentially litigious society. 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. McCauley, on the other hand, left the track in high-speed Turn Eight and, according to track officials, apparently made no attempt to get off the motorcycle before hitting a drainage ditch. 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. Again it would seem that the responsibility to protect the track would lie with legal counsel. The cost is NOTincluded in your POC registration. Speed is not the only facet of the main course, however; there's plenty of elevation change, which provides a challenge for racers and also is good news for spectators. [1] Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953. On Saturday, Red Cup Racers will have 1practice session, qualifying (split), and 1 cup race. Im the type to ALWAYS attend the riders Meeting then find the grey haired guys on ancient machinery to learn the track. We will use SpeedWaiver to confirm registration and handle signature of required waivers. Please keep it clear.There is usually ample paved parking space in the West Paddock (turn one Paddock), and we recommend parking in that area to enjoy the front straightaway bleachers (included in the general admission) and a short walk for an up-close look at all the excitement, including the Willow Springs Kart Track. Cup Racing, Time Trials, and Performance Driving Series (PDS). The conversation went something like, Dont do it. Heavier cars will lift the inside right wheel four to eight inches off the pavement a real ticklish position to be in! The main track is a 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long road course that is unc His passion for the sport and the club is without question. JavaScript is disabled. Was the school inadequate back then, when Cochrans friend Danny Farnsworth was Race Director and instructor at the New Racer school? }); A press release is promotional text issued by a rider, team, company or organization to inform I do not know if Mr. Hewitt was the legal counsel throughout the entire course of events described in the story, so I am not trying to criticize his efforts or any efforts of the track, but would simply like to point out some real world issues and standard practices that could have prevented some of the problems and misunderstandings that were brought to light by the article. After that, they are granted a Novice license and compete in Novice races until they accumulate enough points to qualify for probational Expert status and are allowed to race in the clubs Expert races. American Flat Track Racer + Coach No new rider or racers school can be held responsible for someones panic or momentary stupidity and its potential consequences. Perhaps in the near future, someone will sponsor it. 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. Do the right thing when the opportunity presents itself. The skid marks make up a maze with very little asphalt not covered with rubber. He replied no, thats how many times Ive gone off in the grass. His bike was a 2005 CBR600RR. WebWillow Springs Raceway General Information When you visit Willow Springs International Raceway, The fastest Road in the West, remember that your interest in motor sports is Willow Springs has been featured in numerous forms of media including movies, television, music videos and video games. That holds true on even the safest track, driving a car with minimal power to the wheels. In fact, if fear of liability is responsible for someones injury thats cowardly and sick. Club officials had already told Myra Cochran that she was not allowed to attend to injured racers, that her role with the club was in her capacity as administrative help. 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? Covering both current and historic circuits from around the world. What do you know, it was small displacement bikes that were the worst crashes according to him. Track information and event schedules are available here. 12 Friday Willow Springs Raceway (Road Course) 17 Wednesday Buttonwillow Raceway (13CW) December. It is the oldest permanent road course in the United States. When a post is labeled with the words press release, it means that Roadracingworld.com is not responsible for its content and that Roadracingworld.com makes no guarantee that it is accurate. Willow Springs has been used for several TV shows including British BBC program Top Gear, several episodes of Wheeler Dealers and Jay Leno's Garage[10] and many more. window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; 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. 2300 West Double Play Way, Lancaster, CA 93536. Additionally, as Larry was no longer an employee of WSMC when some public statements were made, it seems that a Non-Disclosure Agreement should have been in place prior to his release if statements by him can adversely affect the liability of the track. 16 00. Colin an instructor at Willow Springs Raceway. McCauley was thrown over the fence surrounding the track. We will not use the text capability to spam you away from the track. Contact the track office for details at (661) 256-6666 or [emailprotected] On Saturday, Red Cup Racers will have 1 practice session, qualifying (split), and 1 cup race. Planning a visit to Willow Springs? You can crash at under 25 mph and be dead as recently happened in a paddock accident at another track. Director of Motorsports: Joe Wiederholt (858) 525-5278ormotorsports@porscheclub.com, Club President: John Momeyer (661) 478-9561or president@porscheclub.com, Chief Driving Instructor: Dwain Dement 949-633-9455 or 949-770-2888 cdi@porscheclub.com, Competition Director: John Momeyer(661) 478-9561 cd@porscheclub.com. By car from Los Angeles, the circuit can be reached by taking I-5 North to Highway 14 North. The incident brought to light a simmering dispute among club members as to the adequacy of the clubs New Racer school. 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. googletag.cmd.push(function() { The elevation changes and high average speeds make it a favorite of many road racing drivers. To help eliminate danger, the top speed limit on all access roads in 20 mph and is strictly enforced. WebWillow Springs Stadium at Willow Springs International Raceway. In addition, there will be a 45 minute enduroon Saturday afternoon with combined Red and Orange groups (more details to be provided). After all Ive picked up thousands of Budweiser cans in that area! By Robin Mansur. 3500 75th Street West Rosamond, CA WebBig Willow CW (Saturday) March 11, 2023 Mar 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 Location: Willow Springs International Raceway Driver Login Username It is from this area that spectators can view the entire race course, with a lot of action right in front of them on turns 3, 4, and 5, while looking out over Wings Leg, The Sweeper, Turn Nine, Castrol Corner and The Rabbit Ear. i have problem, not saving photos in photo mode (only this track), any solve ? As one of the largest track day providers in the USA, Sportbike Track Time, we are able to witness the progression of many thousands of riders annually. At the track, nothing more than a standard riders meeting flag briefing was done to enlighten riders of the obvious risks involved, that was in the early 1960s. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Willow Springs also hosted one NASCAR Southwest Series race in 1986. Reading the article I recalled our Team Hammer instructor Michael Martin commenting on running off at Daytona, specifically Turn One. Note that when you register you will be asked if you would like to receive text messages from POC. Fast forward a few more years and another offer came in from Japanese investors this time for $30 million. Open in LapTrophy App Upcoming events No event posted yet Organizer? WebWillow Springs Stadium at Willow Springs International Raceway. Furthermore, Hewitt says, Larry had the authority to manage the club and did not do so. Cochran is a longtime club manager and a longtime racer, a class Champion whose thundering Honda Ascot Single is a fixture on the track. Improvements to pit lane facilities were the only noticeable changes to the road course, which has remained remarkably untouched in its original configuration to the present day. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Specifically, Cochran says, track officials said his public questioning of the adequacy of the New Racer school after the death of Novice racer Chris McCauley in April and the actions of Cochrans wife, Myra, a nurse who worked on McCauley at the track opened the track to potential legal liability. WebThe Willow Springs Drivers Club is where it can really happen! Willow Springs International Motorsports Park is located in Willow Springs near Rosamond and Lancaster, California, and is about an hour north of Los Angeles. A third road course the Horse Thief Mile was added in 2003 and features a canyon-like layout complete with significant elevation changes. How sweet that smell was! (Work moves me around too often). 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. A great example of this was in the 1980s when a club was running the motorcycle racing at Willow Springs, the ARRA. Please keep this road clear. Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural event held on November 23, 1953. Steve takes his car to Willow Springs Raceway. Turn 5: A quick left-handed turn that sets up for the fastest sections of the track. My choice of Castrol Corner was not only for financial assistance, but as long as Ive been around racing, Ive smelled Castrol in the air, and every time I smell it around Willow my thoughts go back to Gilmore Stadium and the Hey Days of the Mighty Midgets. Just yesterday at one of our Sportbike Track Time events at Road America I was teching a bike when I noticed nine little John Deere stickers on the windscreen side. Primarily intended for school use, minor club racing and testing, the 1.3 mile course also featured a skid pan. Most hotels are fully refundable. 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. Racing, Risk and Liability: WSMC Fires Its Race Director In the wake of a racer fatality at Willow Springs International Raceway this past April, officials there replaced Willow Springs Motorcycle Club Race Director Larry Cochran. 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. And features a canyon-like layout complete with significant elevation changes and high average speeds make a! The grass maze with very little asphalt not covered with rubber of many road drivers! 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