Archive
Auto Club Speedway – Fontana, California
Homepage: http://www.autoclubspeedway.com/
Address: 9300 Cherry Avenue, Fontana, CA 92335
Previously known as California Speedway this modern race facility hosts racing events such as NASCAR. There are two configurations that are used for HPDE track days.
Buttonwillow Raceway – Buttonwillow, California
Homepage: http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/
Address: 24551 Lerdo Hwy, Buttonwillow, CA 93206
Event Calendar: Buttonwillow Raceway
Buttonwillow Raceway (BW) can be configured in many ways and can be run clockwise and counter-clockwise. Check the track’s website for the available track configurations. The track can be configured up to 3.1 miles long. This track’s highlights are the chicanes and lost hill (also called magic mountain). There are many elevation changes throughout the track. High speed turns and many straights are present.
Willow Springs International Raceway – Rosamond, California
Homepage: http://www.willowspringsraceway.com
Address: 3500 75th Street West, Rosamond, CA 93560
Event Calendar: Willow Springs International Motorsports Event Calendar
Typical Event Price: $180
Likes: Very fast track. Triple digit speeds in turn 8 and the long straights. Long 2.5 mi. track, you can drive without seeing another car. Easy on the brakes.
Dislikes: None.
Willow Springs International Raceway (Big Willow or WSIR) is a high speed track with long sweeping turns. This track is only used in a clockwise direction in one configuration. The track is 2.5 miles long. There are nine turns at WSIR. Highlights are “The Omega” and turn 8. “The Omega” is called this because it resembles the Greek letter omega when viewed from a distance. One can carry triple digit speeds in turn 8. There is a lot of run off space available for off road excursions. The hardest braking occurs before turn 1, after the long front straight, and before turn 3.
Streets of Willow Road Course – Rosamond, California
Homepage: http://www.willowspringsraceway.com
Address: 3500 75th Street West, Rosamond, CA 93560
Event Calendar: Willow Springs International Motorsports Event Calendar
Typical Event Price: about $150
Likes: Great track for beginners and still interesting for advanced drivers.
Dislikes: Typically wears either the left or right side tires more than the other depending on direction.
The Track:
Streets of Willow (SoW) is a technical track with thirteen turns in the typical configuration. The typical configuration is with the full bowl and skidpad, SoW can be run in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction. The track is 1.8 miles long. This track is ideal for beginners due to the low speed and that there is a lot of run off space for unintentional off road excursions. The highlights of this track are the chicane, the bowl, and the skidpad.
Tires tend to get more work on the right side (higher tire temperatures) when driving on this track counter-clockwise, vice versa clockwise. Best to rotate your tires at the middle of the day to balance out wear.
