Willow Springs International Raceway

The Big Track at Willow Springs is fastest road in the west by average lap speed. It’s perhaps one of the fastest in North America. It’s also one of the longest continuously running tracks in North America. The complex is a bit old and could use some updating but that’s not the reason to race Willow Springs. It’s a racer’s track, an enthusiasts track, it’s not for the feint of heart.

Impressed.
Every where I went, folks were cordial and polite.
The cafeteria opens at 8 am with a courteous smile and good coffee.
At lunch, the Turkey burger satisfies. At $ 9.50, it comes with a thick turkey patty that tasted good and well cooked, yet juicy and flavorful. The bun was of good quality as well. The fries were golden brown and plentiful.
The cafeteria had ‘new’ chairs and tables vintage 1950’s. Kudo’s to you guys.
Plenty of racing pictures on the walls.
Bathrooms: ok and powerful. The shared water faucets had hot water and quality soap. (very nice for 50 °F days)
My friends said the track was clean and fast.
91 and 110 octane Racing Gas was available.

Awesome race trace track. It is good for beginners but can be also a great challenge to the well experienced. Went there for track day and it was an awesome experience. The entrance fee is expensive. Why charge $ 10 a person instead per car like the other venues?
The place is clean. The rest room are clean. As long you’re event is well organized, you’re good.

None of the tracks are all that great, and the facilities aren’t that great either. Gas is too expensive on site, and no «well it’s on the track» excuses, there are tracks that are about a dollar a gallon more expensive for 91, not five dollars a gallon more expensive. Tracks are outdated and unsafe, but the comparative low cost of entry, especially with organizers such as ExtremeCrashes (Speed) Track Events compared to other tracks makes this a popular choice for most people. Still, for the true track day enthusiast, there is better out there in Southern California. They really need to update the tracks, and repave them. And repair their buildings, such as the stairs leading up to the second floor office at Big Willow. I swear those steps will break someday soon, someone will fall and get hurt, and they just won’t give a darn… people seem to break their cars all the time with their outdated and unsafe track layouts and runoff and they haven’t cared yet.
Will say though that I took drift lessons here once, and for that it was reasonable and good. Would do drift-​related things here in the future, just would never do anything track-​related here again, and I gave the place a good solid 7 or 8 tries since it was so popular with everyone else. Would be 1 star if not for the saving grace of the Budweiser area for drifting.

Sometimes there isn’t a need for a lot of words… Petrol-​Heads Rule! Top Gear Forever!!!

I’ve been to WSIR twice with Speed District and what a great time it was! The café is great and so is the food. The free race photos are a nice touch and easy to get at the end of the day.
I wish turn 8 was a little less wash-​boardy, but I guess that adds to the fun. Great track and I can’t wait to go back.

Arrived in the morning to go karting no one introduced themselves finally someone said to fill out paperwork. I was offered a upgrade from 4 stroke to 2 stroke shifty which I did for me and my friend when it came time to drive kart we started off on 4 strokes to get use to he track layout. the kart I jumped into 1^st. was #10 not only did the front nose of the kart drag around the track the kart stalled a lot and the 2^nd. brake cable was broken! After telling the track guy he shrugged it off and put another customer into it. Then the next round me and my bud get in to go out again in a 4 stroke again my friend comes in and the muffler fell off and no power it was real low with only ¼ pedal travel the track guy unbolted the muffler and tossed it aside and put a customer in it. and i got into that same kart on my next time out and that kart was in bad shape. Lunch came and went then it was time for the 2 strokes getting a kart was a lotto some times you get one and sometimes not my first round in the kart was good but my friend stuck in the pits kart didn’t start my session ended and i watched him go around he looked slow when he came off the track i said to wind it up 2 strokes like to be on the pipe. the next time out I waited for him in the kart he was in and when I started to lay down some good laps the kart was flat on it’s face coming out of the corners I tired to downshift and the gear was way to low their was no gear or throttle that made that kart work, and the kart shacked soo hard I couldn’t hold on. After returning the kart I told my friend lets get out of here! I can tell the workers don’t care and have no pride in the equipment or customers I’ve been to a lot of arrive and drives all over the world and this has got to be the worst one yet. Would it be to hard for the workers to put notes on their phone about the customers complaints and give it to he mechanic or fix it them selves, would be wrong to greet customers and guide them instead of snide remarks!

Love this track. –1 star for a shitty go kart rental experience. Lots of learning available on the different circuits at Willowsprings and the food ain’t bad.

Great track and facility for all driving skill levels. There are two tracks that offer a slalom style course. There isn’t a drag strip, but the do offer a skid pad for those that want to drift. Another perk is the Kart track for those that have shifter karts.

Very fast track, great for high horsepower cars. I did some laps in a classic mustang an it is a wild ride. Don’t apex early on the last sweeper or you will be watching the wall reaching out to punish you for your error.

It had been years since I’ve been here but I drive all the way from los Angeles and came out here for the 626 drift event. I forgot how much I loved the track and smell of burning tires haha. Willow springs is pretty big and makes it easy for them to house multiple events at the same time. For the 626 drift event, we were on the balcony. It gave enough space for a little more than 20 cars to park and get their cars situated and the track was enough room for 2 to 3 to run at the same time. The only downfalls to willow springs is there no shade and bathroom is far. For us ladies, that’s a problem haha. But other than that, I love it here and can’t wait for the next event. I just wish they were closer to los Angeles.

There are 3 tracks that are within a reasonable distance from Los Angeles — Willow Springs, Buttonwillow and Autoclub Speedway (I guess Chuckwalla isn’t THAT far either).
Out of all these tracks, Willow springs is by far the worst in terms of facilities and track conditions. If you are at the Streets of Willows side there is basically just a small shack and if you are at the Big Willow side there is a larger café which is decent.
The tracks themselves have good runoffs so you won’t really hit a wall or anything; however, the dirt and gravel surrounding the track is horrendous compared to the other aforementioned tracks. If you go off the track relatively hard you have a decent chance of damaging something in your suspension or underbody.

Came here twice for motorcycle track as a spectator, they charge a $ 10.00 a head here. It’s best if you come early for a camping spot, we usually arrive around 645am and set up with our ezups and such.
This area gets super hot during the summer, I mean sweltering hot it was almost unbearable even in the shade. So remember to bring plenty of liquids and also for best entertainment and food bring your own electric/​propane grills. You can make your own food while watching riders ride around. There’s also a café smack dab in the middle where you can order food and drinks, although the prices are relatively steep. The restrooms I feel like could be kept better as I found them to be kind of gross with wet toilet paper everywhere sometimes. :/​
There’s also a great lookout to take pictures at omega’s turn up on the hill, if you can convince someone to take you up there it’s definitely worth a few shots. :)
I’ve had a good time every I was there! :) Hope to be going soon again.

Hot Hot Hot! Willow Springs International Raceway can get pretty hot in the summer. It was the beginning of June when I rode here at temperatures reached 113 degrees! Whoa nelly! But it is in the dessert so what can ya expect? Bring your shade and plenty of water. Nothing is around, my GPS even had trouble finding it, so be sure to bring what you need. A Vons, gas station, and a few restaurants are located in a strip mall about 10 – 15 mins. drive away.
They have a few tracks here but I rode only Streets of Willow. I caught a glimpse of Big Willow and Horse Thief, which both look incredibly fun. Streets of Willow was a blast though — a technical track so if you are working on turns (entry/​exit, angles, speed, etc.), this would be the perfect for that. That track has a small bowl and a short straight so again, it’s great for working on turns. There is a really sharp chicane before coming back onto the straight. I’ve heard that during some races, they will bypass this chicane by coming out onto the skid pad and entering the straight that way. However, I would not have had it any other way, the tight chicane, added to the technicality and made me a better rider. I have a love/​hate relationship for that chicane! Overall I enjoyed riding Streets of Willow.
Facilities are clean, so you won’t have to feel bad about drinking so much water. Overall décor of the tracks is definitely vintage, but serves it’s purpose. The tracks are well-​maintained and perfect for riding!
I will definitely return, but hope to do so on a cooler day.

It’s a cool breezy day in Rosamond, a perfect 78 degrees weather in the glaring desert sun. What a beautiful day for a roundabout at the race track.
There’s only a few feet between you, the pavement, and around 12,000 rocks surrounding you for miles on end in the desert. Like predators, the rocks at Willow Springs lay patiently in the dirt waiting at a chance for you to make a wrong move– to take a bite out of you and your car at 120mph. Looking behind, you see an angry looking Audi TT RS in your rear view mirror driven by the actor who played the farmer in Babe. He wants to pass you in the back straightaway because you were only going 60mph on turn five– too slow for his gentlemen-​like standards. That’s when you have your «this **** just got real» moment. Things tend to happen in slow mo’ when every rock, ditch, and 70 year old actor is seemingly out there to get you. But wait! You’re in a 545hp GT-​R and the straightaway is coming up. Vroom vroom m********!
There’s some serious weekend warrior stuff happening at Willow Springs. I love it!

$ 10 per head charge to enter, on top of whatever you paid for the track day.
Other than that, its just a track with tons of fun for riders.

Who doesn’t love the race track! I love how the first area has a spot for your furry ones too in a little park area! Rentals for garages and car ports they got you! Diner and Gift shop done deal! The Gift shop has clothing for both men and women boys and girls! Make sure to strap your hats down as this track tends to be super windy! Great seating for the views to watch all the racers go by! Many track days to come this summer!!!

Willow Springs International Raceway (WSIR) is one of the most popular raceways in So-​Cal attracting even audiences out of state and up Nor-​Cal. It has been around since 1953, which makes it the longest surviving road-​racing course in America! For those of you who do enjoy tracking your vehicle, I’d recommend this raceway because it is challenging but at the same time allows drivers/​riders/​karters the ability to access nearly 100 percent view of the track from any vantage point. It’s definitely a place to visit even if you don’t particularly like to track your car/​motorcycle. It is a desert, and I’ve been able to do mini-​hikes around the area. It’s quite scenic and beautiful.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the design, there are a total of 9 major turns in this raceway layout, which is a track in itself (Big Track). There is an additional 6 smaller tracks connected.
7 tracks:
Big Track/​Big Willow-2.5miles with 9 turns and a ½ mile straight away. The straight away has a pit lane parallel to it that drivers can pull over in.
Streets of Willow: 1.8 mile with multiple configurations. It has an attached skid pad and a garage. I’d say this is the OG track and one of the most favored of drifters. Just Drift hosts their ASB event here every year, and it does seem to attract many people including current big names in the media, previous Formula D drivers, and some of the first people to start drifting in America.
Horse Thief Mile: 1 mile canyon-​like road course that is notorious for its slopes. It really is a thief in stealing the favor of many. Of course, it comes with a risk. This place hosts many memories for drivers when it comes to crashes, but at the same time, it’s a good trainer for skill building and control. Plus, if you’re into visiting canyons and mountains (carbon, turnbull, gmr, mulholland, etc), I’d definitely recommend giving this place a try. ;]
Willow Springs Kart: 0.6 miles with 9 turns. The minimum track width is 30 feet and is very popular, especially among serious karters.
Willow Springs Speedway: ¼ mile paved oval
Balcony: Definitely a TOP pick, especially for teaching. I’ve seen crashes here, but honestly, the way the layout is, it’s a really safe track to try. It’s quite spacious and with some cones, you can set up a large array of layouts. In my personal experience, I definitely love this track for myself, and it is also very popular for private events.
Walt James Stadium: It’s a ³⁄₈ mile dirt oval.
+1 Star: Lots of historical value in racing
+1 Star: Challenging routes that allow so much view
+1 Star: Varieties tracks for the beginners and those looking for a challenge
+1 Star: This track is available for motorcycles, cars, and karts!
+1 Star: Amazing view and so hike capable! :D
Tip #1: You can host private events here! I’m talking birthday drift bashes + food trucks! *heart* so good. This place has a good staff, and they’re generally willing to accommodate if possible.
Tip #2: Need unocal racing fuel and tire service? They’ve got it available every day inside the raceway! Even if you aren’t there to race, but need some great gas, definitely pay this place a visit… downside (for me) is that I’ve found same octane gas for so much less in my area (North OC).

A co-​worker had been nagging me to come run my car with his buddies on the «Big Track». «But, but, but… this is my baby, my first NEW car and it’s only about a year old! I didn’t want to be drilling holes in it to mount fire extinguishers, racing seatbelts or roll cages, come on, man!»
So then one week he starts telling me about an event the club is having on the «Streets of Willow», which only required normal seat belts and a helmet. It took him all week to talk me into going, but I did and the rest, as they say, is history!
I have since driven both the «Streets» and the «Big Track» a number of times with the Porsche Owners Club and both tracks are A LOT of fun! My car likes the Big Track better, with its supercharged V8 out front.
Turn 8… Ah yes, everyone talks about turn 8. A 900 foot radius turn you can carry A LOT of speed into… IF your balls are big enough, that is! My first time through I was a passenger in my buddies Toyota Celica All Track Turbo. He went into it about 110 and I’ll tell you, that made my butt pucker so much that I did NOT need a seat belt!
I eventually took the plunge, buying a Nomex drivers suit and installing 5 point harnesses in my car. I finally made it onto the Big Track. After becoming more comfortable with the track, then installing soft compound tires and Corvette brakes at all four corners, I managed to get around the track (1 lap = 2.5 miles) in 1 minute 36.48 seconds. Not bad for an early 90’s Mustang with STOCK suspension!
Bored with my story yet?
OK, driving on either of the tracks at Willow is AWESOME! It’s SO much fun and there is nothing else like it! If you make a mistake you just «drive off into the desert» (There is lots of run off area), but of course the idea is to stay ON the track!
From a spectators perspective, it’s cool I guess. Some of the facilities are not the greatest and it can be VERY hot out there, but it’s still a very fun time!
W.S.I.R. It’s not called the «Fastest track in the West» for nothing!

Big Willow (2.5mi): Great track — for people who want to go fast!
Streets of Willow: Shorter than Big Willow, Slower than Big Willow — but more techincal. I loved this track in my s2000… not so much in my 240sx — but thats probably because my suspension is all fuxxored…
WSIR: Everyone here is very friendly and helpful. They made it a breeze to set up events and we all had a wonderful time… I would love to come back for another one of our events and put my 240sx onto Big Willow… Hopefully it will be done soon! =)