Willow Springs Schedules Major Repaving Project

by Michael Gougis

The 2.5-mile circuit at Willow Springs International Raceway, informally known as “Big Willow” or “The Fastest Road In The West,” is scheduled for a major repaving project, a spokesperson for the track says.

“We are repaving the first half of Big Willow (2.5 mile course) from Turn One up through the Omega and down to Turn Six,” says Christine Banghart. “The repave will be well before Turn One so that even the faster cars will be on the new pavement before they need to start braking so there is no transition they have to worry about. We are planning to complete the other half this same time next year, if all goes to plan.”

Repaving the first half of the track is scheduled to start on or about August 7 and the track is scheduled to be closed until August 24.

The nine-turn circuit was built in 1953 and hosted its first race on November 23 of that year. It is noteworthy for the fact that it hosted the first FIM 500cc Grand Prix motorcycle race in North America, according to the track’s website, and the State of California declared Willow Springs International Raceway as a California Point of Historical Interest in 1996.