If you’ve spent any time at all in the Southern California car scene, you know the vibe of Willow Springs. It’s that raw, sun-baked, wind-scoured stretch of asphalt out in Rosamond that feels less like a modern "facility" and more like a time capsule from 1953. For decades, it was the Huth family’s kingdom. But then, the news hit that Willow Springs Raceway was for sale, and the collective heart of the track day community skipped a beat.
People panicked. Honestly, who could blame them? In a state where legendary tracks like Riverside and Ascot were paved over for strip malls and stucco housing, the "For Sale" sign felt like a death warrant.
But the reality of what happened is actually much more interesting—and arguably better—than the "condos are coming" rumors suggested.
The Listing That Shook the Desert
When the 600-acre complex officially hit the market in mid-2024, it wasn't just a piece of dirt. It was the oldest permanent road course in the United States. We’re talking about "Big Willow," "Streets of Willow," "Horse Thief Mile," and five other tracks.
The listing was handled by Storage Exchange and Berkshire Hathaway. While some internet sleuths pointed to a tax valuation of around $2.5 million, the actual market value for a turn-key international raceway was significantly higher. Speculation in the pits at the time suggested a price tag closer to $15 million to $20 million, though the final closed price remains a closely guarded secret of the escrow process.
Christopher Huth, who took over after Bill Huth passed away in 2015, basically had to make a gut-wrenching choice. The track needed serious love. The asphalt was aging, the "snack bar" was charmingly prehistoric, and the liability of running a massive motorsports park isn't exactly a relaxing retirement plan.
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Who Actually Bought It?
By early 2025, the dust settled. The buyer wasn't a faceless developer looking to build a massive Amazon warehouse. Instead, it was a heavy-hitting partnership between CrossHarbor Capital Partners and Singer Vehicle Design.
Yes, that Singer. The people who turn air-cooled Porsches into seven-figure rolling works of art.
This changed the narrative instantly. CrossHarbor, led by Sam Byrne, isn't some fly-by-night operation—they own the Yellowstone Club in Montana. They know how to handle "lifestyle" real estate. Partnering with Singer’s Rob Dickinson and Mazen Fawaz meant the new owners actually understood what makes Turn 9 at Big Willow so terrifyingly legendary.
Why the New Ownership Matters
- Capital Infusion: They aren't just painting the curbs. They’ve committed to "Willow Springs Reimagined," a massive multi-year renovation.
- Expert Management: They didn't try to run it themselves. They brought in Speedway Motorsports (the folks who run Sonoma and Texas Motor Speedway) to handle the actual track operations.
- Alex Wurz: Two-time Le Mans winner Alex Wurz was tapped to lead the safety and layout upgrades. If you want to fix a track without ruining its "soul," he’s the guy you call.
The "Thermal-ization" Fear
Look, there’s a valid concern here. When a private equity firm and a luxury car brand buy a track, "grassroots" racers start looking for their wallets. The fear is that Willow will become "Thermal 2.0"—a gated community for billionaires where you need a $100,000 membership just to smell the race gas.
I've talked to people close to the project, and the messaging has been pretty consistent: they want a hybrid model.
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Sure, there’s a private members' club in the works. Singer needs a home base for their clients to test their cars. But the new owners have been vocal about keeping public access alive. They held a massive "Willow Springs Reimagined" event in late 2025 to prove the gates were still open to the average guy in a modified Miata.
The goal seems to be using the high-end revenue (luxury garages, a potential hotel, and a tech hub) to subsidize the astronomical cost of maintaining 600 acres of desert racing.
What’s Changing Right Now?
If you go out to Rosamond today, it’s not the same "frozen in time" relic it was in 2023. The upgrades are happening in phases.
The first priority was safety. We’re talking about leveling out run-off areas that used to be "car-ending" ditches and adding more modern gravel traps. They’re also adding asphalt in key areas to prevent the constant dust-up that happens when someone drops a wheel.
Big Willow is staying mostly intact—the 2.5-mile layout is sacred—but it’s getting the technical TLC it’s lacked for twenty years. The "Streets of Willow" is also seeing major paddock improvements. Gone are the days when the only shade was the shadow of your own trailer.
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The Master Plan includes:
- A Technology Hub: For manufacturers to do high-speed testing and development.
- On-Site Lodging: Finally, you might not have to stay in a questionable motel in Lancaster.
- The Museum: A dedicated space to house the history of the "Fastest Road in the West."
- Member Clubhouse: The "luxury" side of the business, likely located near the hill overlooking the track.
Should You Still Go?
Absolutely. In fact, you probably should go now while the transition is still in its "enthusiast-friendly" phase.
The reality is that tracks are a dying breed. Between noise complaints from encroaching suburbs and the sheer cost of insurance, running a circuit is a nightmare business. If CrossHarbor hadn't stepped in, Willow Springs could have easily ended up as a solar farm or a storage lot for shipping containers.
The "for sale" saga ended in the best possible way: with owners who have enough money to save it and enough passion to not ruin it.
Actionable Next Steps for Enthusiasts
If you’re worried about the future of the track or just want to get some laps in before the "luxury" prices potentially kick in, here is how you stay involved:
- Book a Track Day Now: Check the official Willow Springs calendar. Organizations like SpeedVentures and various PCA/BMWCCA chapters are still running events. Supporting these organizers shows the new owners that the "public" side of the business is viable.
- Follow the "Reimagined" Updates: The new ownership is active on social media and through their press office. Keep an eye on the specific timelines for the Big Willow repaving—you’ll want to be among the first on the new surface.
- Check the New Rules: With Speedway Motorsports taking over operations, expect more formal tech inspections and perhaps more structured gate fees. It’s a bit more "corporate" now, so show up prepared.
- Explore the "Secondary" Tracks: While everyone wants to run Big Willow, the Streets of Willow and Horse Thief Mile are often where the most interesting developments are happening in terms of new configurations and instruction programs.