Willow Springs International Raceway
Willow Springs International Raceway at a glance
- Location
- Rosamond, California
- Type
- road course
- Length
- 2.5 mi (4.023 km)
- Turns
- 9
- Direction
- clockwise
- Surface
- asphalt
- Opened
- 1953
- Owner
- CrossHarbor Capital Partners
- Address
- 3500 75th Street West
- Website
- willowspringsraceway.com
Track map and layout
Willow Springs sits high in the Antelope Valley near Rosamond, and "Big Willow," its original 2.5-mile, 9-turn layout, has been essentially unchanged since it opened in 1953, which is why it is recognized as the oldest permanent road course in the United States. Long-earned nickname "The Fastest Road in the West" comes from its sweeping, high-speed corners and minimal runoff, a combination that has always demanded respect from drivers. The complex has since grown to include two other distinct circuits: the tighter, technical Streets of Willow, good for slower cars and precise driving, and the canyon-like Horse Thief Mile, added in 2003, which climbs and dives through elevation changes that feel closer to a mountain road than a race track. Together the three layouts give Willow Springs one of the widest ranges of driving character at any American road-racing facility.
Named corners and sections
- Castrol Corner. Turn 1 on Big Willow, the braking zone entering the lap's first sequence.
- The Rabbit's Ear. Turn 2 on Big Willow.
- The Omega. The Turn 3/4 complex on Big Willow.
- Monroe Ridge. Turn 6 on Big Willow.
- Repass Pass. Turn 7 on Big Willow.
- The Sweeper. Turn 8 on Big Willow, a fast corner leading back to the front straight.
Configurations
| Layout | Length | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Big Willow | 2.5 mi | Original 1953 layout, 9 turns, high-speed and largely unchanged since opening |
| Streets of Willow | 1.8 mi | Tighter, technical layout with roughly 14-16 turns depending on configuration |
| Horse Thief Mile | 1 mi | Added 2003; canyon-like elevation changes, 9-11 turns depending on configuration |
Events and race weekends
Willow Springs has historically hosted NASCAR Grand National and Winston West Series races and a long history of Can-Am, Trans-Am and vintage racing dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. Today the facility is used heavily for club racing, drifting events (GRIDLIFE held festival weekends here up to 2024) and manufacturer/media test days, alongside a very active HPDE and track-day calendar across all three configurations.
Getting there and parking
Willow Springs sits in the high desert of the Antelope Valley near Rosamond, roughly 80 miles north of Los Angeles. Most visitors drive up via Highway 14; the nearest sizeable commercial airport is Los Angeles International, though smaller regional airports in Lancaster and Palmdale are closer.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- William J. Fox Airfield (Lancaster, general aviation)
The high desert location means big day/night temperature swings -- pack layers even for summer track days, since mornings can be cold and afternoons very hot.
Hotels and camping near Willow Springs International Raceway
Willow Springs is remote enough that most track-day drivers and racers stay in nearby Lancaster or Rosamond, both a short drive from the gates, rather than trying to day-trip from Los Angeles.
Where to look
Lancaster and Rosamond, California, both within a roughly 15-20 minute drive of the track; some organizers offer discounted rates at Lancaster-area hotels.
Camping
On-site camping is used by many club racers and track-day participants during event weekends, though facilities are basic compared to major professional venues.
RV
RV parking is available on-site for event participants; specific hookup details not confirmed by official sources.
Track days, driving experiences and lap records
Willow Springs is one of Southern California's most heavily used track-day and HPDE venues, with events running most weekends across its three configurations. Organizers regularly running there include Speed Ventures and Extreme Speed Track Events, offering HPDE run groups from novice through advanced, alongside frequent club-racing weekends and drift and time-attack events.
Who runs days here
Lap records
| Category | Time | Driver | Car | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can-Am (Big Willow) | 1:15.900 | Al Lamb | Frissbee GR2 | 1987 |
| Trans-Am (Big Willow) | 1:20.839 | Greg Pickett | — | 2017 |
Spectator guide
Willow Springs is primarily a working race and track-day facility rather than a big spectator venue, so amenities are modest and most visitors are there to drive rather than watch from grandstands.
Best places to watch
Elevated areas near the Omega complex and the Sweeper on Big Willow give good views across several corners.
Weather
- Jun-Aug: hot, dry high-desert summers with temperatures frequently above 95°F
- Dec-Feb: cold mornings, occasional frost; wide day/night temperature swings
History of Willow Springs International Raceway
Origins
Willow Springs International Raceway opened on November 23, 1953, in the high desert of California's Antelope Valley near Rosamond, and is recognized today as the oldest permanent road course in the United States. Its original 2.5-mile, 9-turn layout, now known as "Big Willow," earned the track its long-standing nickname, "The Fastest Road in the West," for its sweeping high-speed corners and minimal margin for error.
Growth under Bill Huth
Under longtime owner Bill Huth, who ran the facility from 1962 until 2015, Willow Springs grew from roughly 230 acres to 600 acres and expanded well beyond the original circuit. The tighter, more technical Streets of Willow was added to give slower cars and driver-education programs a home better suited to learning car control, and in 2003 the canyon-like Horse Thief Mile arrived, carving a roller-coaster mile of elevation change into the hillside above the main track. Through the mid-20th century the facility also hosted NASCAR Grand National and Winston West Series races, along with Can-Am and Trans-Am events that produced some of the track's fastest recorded laps.
Present day
Ownership passed to CrossHarbor Capital Partners in 2025, and the facility continues to operate as one of the busiest multi-track complexes in Southern California. Its three distinct configurations -- fast and historic Big Willow, technical Streets of Willow, and the mountain-road-style Horse Thief Mile -- give organizers flexibility to run everything from beginner HPDE days to serious club racing and drift/time-attack festivals on the same weekend, all within an easy drive of the Los Angeles motorsports community.
Frequently asked questions
How long is Willow Springs' main track?+
Big Willow, the original 1953 layout, is 2.5 miles (4.023 km) with 9 turns. Streets of Willow is 1.8 miles and Horse Thief Mile is roughly 1 mile.
What does "Fastest Road in the West" mean?+
It's Willow Springs' long-standing nickname, earned from Big Willow's sweeping, high-speed corners and historically minimal runoff area.
Where is Willow Springs International Raceway located?+
Near Rosamond, California, in the Antelope Valley about 80 miles north of Los Angeles.
How many track configurations does Willow Springs have?+
Three: Big Willow (the original high-speed layout), Streets of Willow (tighter and technical), and Horse Thief Mile (a canyon-style layout with major elevation change, added in 2003).
Can the public drive Willow Springs on a track day?+
Yes. Organizers such as Speed Ventures and Extreme Speed Track Events run frequent HPDE days across all three layouts for drivers of varying experience levels.
Is Willow Springs the oldest road course in the US?+
Yes, it is generally recognized as the oldest permanent road racing circuit still operating in the United States, having opened in 1953.
Other tracks nearby
- Auto Club Speedway / California Speedway · 70 mi · oval
- Grand Prix of Long Beach · 77 mi · street circuit
- Fox Raceway at Pala · 125 mi · motocross
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway · 207 mi · oval
- WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca · 229 mi · road course
- Sonoma Raceway · 325 mi · road course
Facts checked against 4 sources including the official circuit website. Last reviewed 2026-09-09.