Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Willow Springs International Raceway wants to bring the WERA National Endurance Series 24-hour race back to Willow Springs, says track owner Bill Huth.

“I’m going to talk to WERA about getting the 24-hour to come back,” Huth told Roadracingworld.com on Sunday September 15. “I like the 24-hour. It doesn’t make any money, but it’s a race and I like that. And the people like it.”

One of the keys to the race, according to Huth, is the time of year it is held. “Sometimes I think that race should go earlier, like in August or September because it’s warm at night. It gets cold in this desert at night. So it’s better to have it, I think, in July or August. Of course, it’s hot in the daytime. Certain things are good, certain things are bad.”

Located in the Mojave Desert in Rosamond, California, Willow Springs has hosted several WERA 24-hour races, most recently in 1999 and 2000.

WERA National National Endurance regulars have said the 24-hour race at Willow Springs causes financial hardships — the cost of tires, race fuel and travel for the one race effectively doubling their season budgets. Most WERA National Endurance teams are based in the Eastern half of the United States.