Willow Springs International Motorsport Park, in Rosamond, California, is preparing for a major upgrade under new ownership. The track, about a 90-minute drive from Los Angeles, opened in 1953 and is described as the oldest road course of its kind in the United States. Until recently, its facilities were notably basic.
The new owners plan to position the circuit for high-end sports cars and their wealthy drivers. As supercars have become faster, interest has grown in private tracks where owners can drive at speeds that would not be safe on public roads.
The Huth family, which had owned Willow Springs since 1962, sold it this year to a joint venture between Cross Harbor Capital Partners and Singer Vehicle Design. The partnership brings together a firm associated with luxury property and leisure ventures and a company known for extensively reworked Porsche 911s.
The track presented its plans to the public at Willow Springs Reimagined Day in mid-October, an event featuring racing and other activities. The development reflects a broader business model at racetracks, where facilities such as clubhouses and accommodation can provide additional revenue alongside driving events.
Cross Harbor is behind the Yellowstone Club, a private skiing, golfing and adventure community in Big Sky, Montana. Singer Vehicle Design creates high-priced versions of used Porsche 911s, appealing to wealthy car collectors.
Sources: The New York Times Business.