Words: Tyler Rampersaud
Images: Trevor Woods
One of the world’s most historic and iconic motorsport venues, Willow Springs happens to be the oldest permanent road course in the United States. First established in 1953, the track is a gem of motorsport and automotive history, and to this day, legendary moments and milestones have taken place there. Now, Willow Springs International Raceway is entering a new chapter thanks to a partnership between CrossHarbor Capital Partners and Singer Vehicle Design, and that new chapter is set to honor the rich legacy of the track while also creating a new hub for motorsport enthusiasts, drivers, and car culture as a whole.
To kick off that new era, the Willow Springs Reimagined event took place on October 11, gathering a sold-out crowd of 5,000 people to the legendary circuit for the first large-scale event at Willow Springs International Raceway since its acquisition by the new ownership group. The event featured on-track demonstrations, captivating displays from some of the premier OEMs and designers in the industry, and displays of more than 200 rare and iconic vehicles.
‘Big Willow,’ the iconic nine-turn layout of the Willow Springs road course, featured racing throughout the day, including B-Sedan racing, an all-star demonstration with motorsport legends like Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, Dario Franchitti, and other demonstration laps from names like the Petersen Automotive Museum and Czinger. Lia Block, motorsport driver and daughter of legendary driver Ken Block, got behind the wheel of the legendary Hoonitruck, marking its first public driving appearance since his passing.
Some of the vehicles present at Willow Springs Reimagined included vehicles from Ken Block’s collection, life-size replicas of iconic Hot Wheels cars like the Bone Shaker and Twin Mill, DirtFish rally racing cars, the Hoonipigasus Porsche, and Micah Diaz’s Pro-Spec E46. Kicking off a new era at one of the most hallowed motorsports venues, Willow Springs Reimagined was a milestone event that properly opened a new chapter.
