In 2011, Tom Cruise had the opportunity to run in a Red Bull F1 car at Willow Springs.
The legendary Willow Springs circuit has been put up for sale, leaving the beloved US racing venue facing an uncertain future.
Since its opening in 1953, Willow Springs has earned the nickname “The Fastest Track in the West” and has become a renowned venue for motor racing. It has gained a reputation as one of the toughest and most challenging circuits in American motorsport, with Michael Andretti currently holding the unofficial lap record.
Willow Springs up for sale
While never hosting an F1 race, the Californian venue hosted NASCAR Cup races in 1956/57 and was used for the filming of the Ford v Ferrari movie – starring Christian Bale as Ken Miles, one of the great names of motor racing in the 1950s and ’60s who co-designed the circuit – in 2019.
In 2011, Willow Springs witnessed Tom Cruise’s exhilarating test drive in a Red Bull F1 car. Despite his worldwide fame, the acclaimed actor reached a top speed of 181mph (291 kmh), which was just 4mph slower than his instructor David Coulthard. It is worth noting that Coulthard, a renowned Formula 1 driver with 13 grands prix victories to his name, set quite a remarkable pace.
Covering a vast expanse of 600 acres, the Willow Springs facility boasts an impressive array of seven distinctive track layouts, with the renowned Big Willow taking center stage. Unaltered over the course of 70 years, this remarkable 2.5-mile circuit remains an iconic feature of the facility.
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In March 1987, Michael Andretti set a remarkable track record of 1:06.050 while driving a CART IndyCar, solidifying his position as the ultimate record-holder.
Andretti’s time at the circuit was documented on the official website to be two tenths quicker than Nigel Mansell’s fastest lap in an F1 car back in February 1982.
The facility includes a go-kart circuit, skidpad, short oval courses, rallycross tracks, and off-road tracks as well.
Motorcycle enthusiasts have a special affinity for Willow Springs, thanks to its remarkable attributes of high average speeds, wide curves, and varying elevations. This venue attracts numerous motor-racing enthusiasts who eagerly join track days to experience the thrill firsthand.
Bill Huth purchased it for a mere $116,000 in 1962 with plans to transform the primary straight into a dragstrip. However, he soon realized that it was too short for his intentions. Following Mr. Huth’s passing at the age of 91 in 2015, his relatives have been providing support to keep the operation running.
Despite its somewhat dilapidated look, characterized by sun-faded structures and cracks on the track, the circuit’s charm lies in its appeal to devoted fans. However, a change in ownership could provide an opportunity to revitalize and modernize Willow Springs through new investments.
Currently, the F1 calendar incorporates three circuits from the United States. In 2023, Las Vegas will also be added to the schedule, joining Miami (added in 2022) and the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas (added in 2012).
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