Willow Springs has been sold:
https://www.hotrod.com/features/willow-springs-raceway-closing-2025-new-owners/
Lots of great memories from there. Hopefully it's not RIP time.
Roy
Odd they want everyone out by the end of the month. I wonder how the rental/lease agreements were written. I saw Lynn Park a few weeks ago. At that time the COCOA weekend was still on.
It will probably become another "race club" for the ultra rich. Ala VIR, Spring Mountain, The Thermal Club, etc.
https://youtu.be/a8ScSreCCNo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfakxwLAJsg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgoDs__TV-w
Any time I see where a Business gets bought up by a "Private Equity Group", it rarely ends well, especially when the Buyers don't have any or much experience in what that Business does. I went to their Web Site and I didn't see anything that pertains to racing. It is as if one or two of the Executives running the Company decided to get into Tracking their Car for fun so they got their Company to buy it. I could be wrong.
Quote from: tesgt350 on March 28, 2025, 07:42:40 AMAny time I see where a Business gets bought up by a "Private Equity Group", it rarely ends well, especially when the Buyers don't have any or much experience in what that Business does.
In case you haven't noticed, it would seem the bulk of the big name "Automotive Aftermarket Performance Parts Manufacturing Industry" has been picked up in the same fashion. :o
And I would have to agree.............. the future doesn't look good! :(
Scott.
Look who comes out to PLAY with their vehicles..... Lets call them 'FINANCIALLY ABLE'. Sports cars/ Classic cars/Race cars are not typically for the common man.
Doesn't look like COCOA at Willow Springs is listed anywhere that I can find 🤔
Roy
Willow Springs' sale to a private group is bittersweet. Likely headed toward exclusive use for the ultra-rich, it may lose its grassroots spirit. Many fear it's the end of an era for public access and real enthusiast culture. Let's hope the legacy isn't entirely erased :) (https://remontowanie.waw.pl/)
Quote from: kate on April 08, 2025, 09:03:22 AM..... Let's hope the legacy isn't entirely erased
You may have struck on the solution. It's the first permanent track built in the US. We should start a drive to save the place for its historical significance.
It is the oldest permanent road course in the United States. Construction began in 1952, with the inaugural race held on November 23, 1953. The main track is a 2.500 mi (4.023 km) long road course that is unchanged from its original 1953 configuration.
another one gone to soon...R.I.P.
Quote from: kate on April 08, 2025, 09:03:22 AMWillow Springs' sale to a private group is bittersweet. Likely headed toward exclusive use for the ultra-rich, it may lose its grassroots spirit. Many fear it's the end of an era for public access and real enthusiast culture. Let's hope the legacy isn't entirely erased
I'd give it a couple Years before they realize they will need to open it up to Public use for Income to help maintain it.
Quote from: tesgt350 on April 08, 2025, 11:41:01 AMI'd give it a couple Years before they realize they will need to open it up to Public use for Income to help maintain it.
That will be part of the business plan. But, the daily rental rate and probably double and the available dates will be drastically reduced. Between COCOA and LASAAC there were 4 weekends a year. The Porsche & Ferrari clubs also held multiple events per year.
https://www.fordmuscle.com/news/willow-springs-raceway-saved-sale-finalized-plans-announced/
Sounds like amazing news. Looks like the track is saved and will have a bright future.
QSS
Will the new owners invest in preventing the afternoon sandstorms? LOL
Quote from: csxsfm on April 12, 2025, 10:21:19 AMWill the new owners invest in preventing the afternoon sandstorms? LOL
With a gigantic air conditioned Polycarbonate bubble with special access through an underground tunnel entrance..... sorry no, the tents will still need to be weighted.
John
Quote from: csxsfm on April 12, 2025, 10:21:19 AMWill the new owners invest in preventing the afternoon sandstorms? LOL
That is one of the overlooked features of Willow. You car is always lighter after the sandstorms chip off a little paint.
Sounds like amazing news.
Quote from: TA Coupe on March 27, 2025, 10:44:30 PMWillow Springs has been sold:
https://www.hotrod.com/features/willow-springs-raceway-closing-2025-new-owners/
Lots of great memories from there. Hopefully it's not RIP time.
Roy
any new developments?
I spoke to Lynn Park at the LASAAC show. Willow is DEAD as a track day for COCOA or LASAAC.
They raised the rent from $14,000 to $40,000 for a weekend. They will not allow passengers. They will probably require a Hans device. The real killer is they will require the sponsor to be financially liable for anything that happens during the event. Gas/oil spill you pay for the cleanup - somebody slips and falls - you're on the hook. I'd wager they'd also bill you if someone backs up a toilet.
BTW: Lynn has already given up the dates they always had reserved since around 1974 or 5.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 20, 2025, 03:25:53 PMI spoke to Lynn Park at the LASAAC show. Willow is DEAD as a track day for COCOA or LASAAC.
They raised the rent from $14,000 to $40,000 for a weekend. They will not allow passengers. They will probably require a Hans device. The real killer is they will require the sponsor to be financially liable for anything that happens during the event. Gas/oil spill you pay for the cleanup - somebody slips and falls - you're on the hook. I'd wager they'd also bill you if someone backs up a toilet.
BTW: Lynn has already given up the dates they always had reserved since around 1974 or 5.
Its happening everywhere in the USA
A sad day in hotrod land
What groups can afford to race there, at those rates? Who are they targeting?
Quote from: 6s1432 on September 20, 2025, 04:49:47 PMWhat groups can afford to race there, at those rates? Who are they targeting?
It will become one of those private condo club race tracks. It sits on about 600 acres so plenty of room to build. Just to the east there is a residential fly in airport to ease your commute. You can move in there for 800 grand https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4431-Knox-Ave-Rosamond-CA-93560/19035054_zpid/?
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 20, 2025, 08:21:35 PMQuote from: 6s1432 on September 20, 2025, 04:49:47 PMWhat groups can afford to race there, at those rates? Who are they targeting?
It will become one of those private condo club race tracks. It sits on about 600 acres so plenty of room to build. Just to the east there is a residential fly in airport to ease your commute. You can move in there for 800 grand https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4431-Knox-Ave-Rosamond-CA-93560/19035054_zpid/?
My Dad looked at property at that airport, they didn't mind him bringing his Pitts, but the went into convulsing spastic fits over the Bearcat moving there.
Quote from: JohnSlack on September 20, 2025, 08:36:29 PMQuote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 20, 2025, 08:21:35 PMQuote from: 6s1432 on September 20, 2025, 04:49:47 PMWhat groups can afford to race there, at those rates? Who are they targeting?
It will become one of those private condo club race tracks. It sits on about 600 acres so plenty of room to build. Just to the east there is a residential fly in airport to ease your commute. You can move in there for 800 grand https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4431-Knox-Ave-Rosamond-CA-93560/19035054_zpid/?
My Dad looked at property at that airport, they didn't mind him bringing his Pitts, but the went into convulsing spastic fits over the Bearcat moving there.
I toyed with the idea when we had our 182. The price was (and still is) way out of line for the area. It would have been fun to wake up the residents with the Bearcat. My friend used to fly his Swift to Willow and land on the east road that now goes up to the streets.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 21, 2025, 03:36:28 PMQuote from: JohnSlack on September 20, 2025, 08:36:29 PMQuote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 20, 2025, 08:21:35 PMQuote from: 6s1432 on September 20, 2025, 04:49:47 PMWhat groups can afford to race there, at those rates? Who are they targeting?
It will become one of those private condo club race tracks. It sits on about 600 acres so plenty of room to build. Just to the east there is a residential fly in airport to ease your commute. You can move in there for 800 grand https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4431-Knox-Ave-Rosamond-CA-93560/19035054_zpid/?
My Dad looked at property at that airport, they didn't mind him bringing his Pitts, but the went into convulsing spastic fits over the Bearcat moving there.
I toyed with the idea when we had our 182. The price was (and still is) way out of line for the area. It would have been fun to wake up the residents with the Bearcat. My friend used to fly his Swift to Willow and land on the east road that now goes up to the streets.
A Bearcat, however not a typical Bearcat.
Rare Bear | This Day in Aviation https://share.google/VnHsuLjAVwotSfZ5C
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 20, 2025, 08:21:35 PMQuote from: 6s1432 on September 20, 2025, 04:49:47 PMWhat groups can afford to race there, at those rates? Who are they targeting?
It will become one of those private condo club race tracks. It sits on about 600 acres so plenty of room to build. Just to the east there is a residential fly in airport to ease your commute. You can move in there for 800 grand https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4431-Knox-Ave-Rosamond-CA-93560/19035054_zpid/?
What's that saying:
when all racetracks are purchased by the bourgeois , only the bourgeois will have raetracks
Quote from: JohnSlack on September 21, 2025, 06:57:47 PMA Bearcat, however not a typical Bearcat.
Saw it run at Reno in the mid 70s - different paint scheme and name? Stead is a neat airport. I've got pix of our daughter when she was 4 or 5 standing in the door of the LearFan mockup. A friend worked on building the prototypes and also the ill fated BD10 project. The guy that designed the LearFan sorted out the BD10 tail problem but the last one had a flap problem crop up and killed the owner of the company. The LearFan was weird to be in. There was no bulkhead behind the pilot and they'd built long seat tracks. If the pilot needed out he could slide back to the door which had det cord around it so they could just blow a hole in the side to bail out. Financing failed on that one. The Brits were funding it to be built in Ireland - same as the DeLorean deal.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 22, 2025, 04:53:33 PMQuote from: JohnSlack on September 21, 2025, 06:57:47 PMA Bearcat, however not a typical Bearcat.
Saw it run at Reno in the mid 70s - different paint scheme and name? Stead is a neat airport. I've got pix of our daughter when she was 4 or 5 standing in the door of the LearFan mockup. A friend worked on building the prototypes and also the ill fated BD10 project. The guy that designed the LearFan sorted out the BD10 tail problem but the last one had a flap problem crop up and killed the owner of the company. The LearFan was weird to be in. There was no bulkhead behind the pilot and they'd built long seat tracks. If the pilot needed out he could slide back to the door which had det cord around it so they could just blow a hole in the side to bail out. Financing failed on that one. The Brits were funding it to be built in Ireland - same as the DeLorean deal.
Having been around the Learfsn quite a bit. One of our back up pilots was John Penney also a LearFan test pilot. The major issue that killed the Learfan was the inability to get the two into one gearbox certified. There was interest from a Saudi Prince that was going to guarantee the future funding.
Neat airplane.
Is this discussion, an agenda item for L.A. SAAC? What other alternatives are there for Southern California racing? Vegas?
Quote from: JohnSlack on September 22, 2025, 05:30:04 PMhe major issue that killed the Learfan was the inability to get the two into one gearbox certified. There was interest from a Saudi Prince that was going to guarantee the future funding.
I remember there was a problem with the drive (u joints?) either into the gearbox or out on the propshaft. Tracy was working with the company to also make him some high angle ones for the F1 plane he and his wife were building. It was doable but the horsepower loss was not acceptable. That's a tough class when you're limited to 100 hp.
Quote from: 6s1432 on September 22, 2025, 07:15:59 PMIs this discussion, an agenda item for L.A. SAAC? What other alternatives are there for Southern California racing? Vegas?
Randy & Lynn talked a little bit about it at the show. It was pretty much a "We're done" conversation due to cost and the liability issue. The only option I can see is if Thermal will rent - but who want to go there? Button Willow is owned by CalClub it's further and basically a street circuit. They haven't rented to clubs in the past but may see the financial benefit now.
There's always Solo2 to have some fun and burn down tires. Problem is when you use a big car - yes Mustang is a big car for this discussion - you're at a big disadvantage. It is cheap enough though and "local". https://www.solo2.com/locations
Has LA SAAC ever raced at Chuckwalla, Las Vegas Speedway, or has anyone approached Thermal Raceway? Who is in charge of this? I would be willing to make some calls...
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 22, 2025, 07:18:23 PMQuote from: JohnSlack on September 22, 2025, 05:30:04 PMhe major issue that killed the Learfan was the inability to get the two into one gearbox certified. There was interest from a Saudi Prince that was going to guarantee the future funding.
I remember there was a problem with the drive (u joints?) either into the gearbox or out on the propshaft. Tracy was working with the company to also make him some high angle ones for the F1 plane he and his wife were building. It was doable but the horsepower loss was not acceptable. That's a tough class when you're limited to 100 hp.
Did you know Richard, I first met him when I was 8 or 9 years old. What an intelligent man.
Formula one was a tough class, we used to walk around the F1 pits to see little details that they paid attention to.
It was good to, from my point of view be on the Unlimited side of the world. Brute horsepower.
John
Quote from: JohnSlack on September 23, 2025, 03:10:27 PMDid you know Richard, I first met him when I was 8 or 9 years old. What an intelligent man.
Yes he and Ursula. I didn't know them well. A friend was close friends with them and worked on his planes. We'd go see them when we visited. I loved their house on the hill - very Frank Lloyd Wrightish. He was considered one of the smartest guys at CalTech which says a lot. Many papers and patents on wing shape and laminar flow. I remember one job he had was the hypersonic plane. He had to visit all the suppliers (airframe, engine, avionics) and keep them heading in the right direction without spilling the exact details of what the others were doing. No wonder .gov projects cost so much. Put all of them in the room and let them get it done.
Quote from: 98SVT - was 06GT on September 23, 2025, 05:03:40 PMQuote from: JohnSlack on September 23, 2025, 03:10:27 PMDid you know Richard, I first met him when I was 8 or 9 years old. What an intelligent man.
Yes he and Ursula. I didn't know them well. A friend was close friends with them and worked on his planes. We'd go see them when we visited. I loved their house on the hill - very Frank Lloyd Wrightish. He was considered one of the smartest guys at CalTech which says a lot. Many papers and patents on wing shape and laminar flow. I remember one job he had was the hypersonic plane. He had to visit all the suppliers (airframe, engine, avionics) and keep them heading in the right direction without spilling the exact details of what the others were doing. No wonder .gov projects cost so much. Put all of them in the room and let them get it done.
They were looking for an F-104 wing at one point. They were able to get an F-104 from the Italian Air Force.... however the wing spars were demilled. Making them useless. I found him one in Burbank on Murderers row. It was brand new USAF surplus.
John
Quote from: JohnSlack on September 23, 2025, 06:24:49 PMThey were looking for an F-104 wing at one point.
He flew one wing design on the SR71 trainer at Edwards that had a hard point installed for such a test. They painted it with a paint that changed shade with pressure.
Buttonwillow, or Vegas.
I vote Buttonwillow. I've been there several times and had a great time. Trans Am Champion Tommy Drissi took me around for a few laps in my SVT FOCUS and immediately did more than I ever could.
Roy
Open test day at Willow was $150 - Button Willow is $350 - Chuckwalla is $275.