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THE NINE TURNS OF WILLOW SPRINGS
| Part of Bill
Huth's History of Willow Springs |
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Turn 1
On Tuesday, March 22, 1966, the first turn name
was given to WSIR. Turn 1 was
christened by Miss Susan Heigel, Miss Rosamand
1966 to be "Castrol Corner".
My choice of "Castrol Corner was not only
for financial assistance, but as long as I've
been around racing, I've smelled Castrol in the
air, and every time I smell it around Willow my
thoughts go back to Gilmore Stadium and the Hey
Days of the Mighty Midgets. How sweet that smell
was!
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Turn 2
The "Rabbit Ear" never had any christenings.
I attached the name to this 450-foot radius half-circle
turn because of the diagram of the course. When the
layout is positioned with the "Rabbit Ear"
at the top, Turn 4 will make up the nose, Turns 5, 6,
7 and 8 make up the front and Turn 9 the tail, and finally
the straightaway makes up the back. Not only does the
layout resemble a jackrabbit, but while filming the
feature length film, "The Love Bug", the Walt
Disney Productions crew nicknamed the track "Jack
Rabbit Raceway". The name stuck and went on to
be used as the name for Willow in the movie.
Turn 3
To date Turn 3 carries no name. I've thought about it
many times, but decided that I would like someone else
to think one up, or perhaps Budweiser could sponsor
this sharp, left-hand uphill corner and we could call
it "Bud's Point". After all I've picked up
thousands of Budweiser cans in that area!
Turn 4
In 1981, I regained control of the raceway after the
termination of a fifteen-year lease. My first thoughts
were to print a history of "The West's First Road
Course". I decided then that corners needed names,
so I began. In 1965, I made a deal with Carrol Shelby
to advertise the Cobra name, and the entire outside
of Turn 4 was surrounded with Cobra signs. At the time
I figured it would be appropriate to name it "Cobra
something or other", but never did. While sitting
in the office in January 1982, I looked up the hillside
at Turn 4 and thought to myself that spectating from
up there is just like watching from a balcony... so
"The Balcony" it was, from that day forward.
It is from this area that spectators can view the entire
race course, with a lot of action right in front of
them on turns 3, 4, and 5, while looking out over "Wing's
Leg", "The Sweeper", "Turn Nine",
"Castrol Corner" and "The Rabbit Ear".
Turn 5
Exiting the "Balcony", the racers rush down
the hill and make a left turn of 90 degrees around a
natural mound and on towards "Monroe Ridge".
This left-hander also is just plain Turn 5, and as yet
remains nameless. Perhaps in the near future, someone
will sponsor it. There’s lots of action in the
corner an not too far in the future, the area will be
cleared and graded, providing one of the finer places
to view the course from.
Turn 6
Next is "Monroe Ridge" or Turn 6. From Turn
5 to "Monroe Ridge" the road course rises
and, at a crest, makes a right hand bend in which with
any type of vehicle, bike or car, suspension is of the
utmost importance. Heavier cars will lift the inside
right wheel four to eight inches off the pavement...
a real ticklish position to be in! With the thousands
of dollars and many years the Monroe Shock Absorber
Company has put into racing, I felt it only appropriate
to name this cresting bend "Monroe Ridge".
Turn 7
"Wing's Leg" is undoubtedly the fastest bend
on the raceway. After topping "Monroe Ridge",
the racers go full throttle down a one thousand foot
straight to a "dog-legged" 10-degree left
turn. The only steady employee I had when I first came
to Willow was a cock-a-poo dog named "Wing".
There weren't many customers for testing, tuning or
racing, but Wing's job was to chase the jackrabbits
off the track when any customers did show. My only problem
with Wing was that he didn't seem to know where the
property ended, and sometimes, when he'd be hot on the
tail of a rabbit in the morning, I wouldn't see him
until that evening except for maybe once or twice crossing
the track still in hot pursuit.
Turn 8
Turn 8 has always been called "The Sweeper"
ever since I have been around Willow. I don't know who
first called this long, sweeping right turn by this
name, but I can well imagine the reason. The racers
are close to top speeds as they exit "Wing's Leg"
and turn slightly right into the 8oo-foot long sweeping
turn. To drift out here means lots of problems once
you leave the course. As for my choice to spectate from,
it would be from the outside of Turn 8, "The Sweeper...
where the fast action is"
Turn 9
Turn 9 will never carry any other name if it's up to
me! Maybe only the word terrible could be added. The
reputation of this decreasing right turn is known throughout
the world. Most riders and drivers who have traveled
"The Nine Turns of Willow" have lost control
on Turn 9 more than any other corner. The skid marks
make up a maze with very little asphalt not covered
with rubber. The spinout area on the inside of the turn
is flat and spacious, seldom allowing a car to roll.
Turn 9's not really too dangerous... It's just embarrassing!
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