From a new press release issued by Willow Springs International Motorsports Park:

Free Practice Session to Include Cars, Motorcycles

Two Tracks Available; Bikes and Cars to Rotate Groups

Motorcycles, open-wheeled racing cars, and shifter karts will use both the 2.5-mile main road course and the 1.5-mile Streets of Willow during next week’s free practice sessions at Willow Springs International Motorsports Park. Automobiles and shifter karts of 125cc and above will be run on the New Streets of Willow. Motorcycles will share the 2.5-mile main road course with automobiles. The alternating sessions will be conducted and monitored by Willow Springs course control and cornerworking staff. The practice sessions will take place December 26-30, 2001. Depending on the turnout and level of interest, an informal race featuring the open-wheeled cars may be held on the New Streets of Willow Sunday, December 30, 2001.

Only currently licensed WSMC members will be allowed to participate in the free practice sessions for motorcycles. Motorcycle racers who have either a professional or expert-level license with another recognized racing organization, such as WERA, Formula USA, AFM, or AMA can obtain a WSMC racing license at the track. Novice licenses from organizations other than WSMC will NOT be accepted. Car and kart drivers will be required to have a current 2001 Willow Springs International Raceway Driver’s Card. Driver’s cards can be obtained at the raceway by drivers who would like to participate.

Sessions will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will end at 3:00 p.m. each day. For safety reasons, the number of participants will be subject to limitation by Willow Springs staff. All motorcycles will subject to the same technical inspections and requirements as in a normal WSMC practice session.

Willow Springs International Motorsports Park, a registered California State Point of Historical Interest, is a 600-acre complex of six racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motorsports discipline. In addition to the historic 2.5-mile road course built in 1953, the Willow Springs facility includes the Streets of Willow, a 1.5-mile, 14-turn multi-configuration road course ideal for testing, club racing, and schools; a 1/4-mile paved oval; a 3/8-mile clay oval; a .625-mile Karting track; and just-completed 1/4-mile testing and tuning circuit which has yet to be named. The facility also has an off-road driving and riding area for testing of off-road vehicles. The park is located about an hour north of Los Angeles, California near Lancaster. Official headquarters for this event will be at Lancaster’s Park Plaza, formerly known as the Essex House. Park Plaza can be contacted at 661-948-0961.

For more information on this event, or on lodging and accommodations, please contact Willow Springs International Motorsports Park at (661) 256-6666.