The recent Willow Springs Reimagined 2026 was the second annual celebration of Southern California car culture at the California circuit, as the new owners continue to breathe life back into the historic venue.
The Willow Springs International Raceway in Rosamond changed hands in April 2025, when the Huth family, its long-time owners, sold it to a partnership between Singer Vehicle Design and private equity firm CrossHarbor Capital Partners. The deal came after the family put the facility up for sale in the summer of 2024.
As Magneto reported at the time, the new owners committed to keeping the circuit open to the public while adding a members’ club for Singer clients and other enthusiasts. Former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner Alex Wurz was brought in to oversee track design, with improved safety, more asphalt and kerbing, and better run-off areas.
The inaugural Reimagined in 2025 attracted a capacity crowd of 5000 people. Willow Springs Reimagined 2026, held on on Saturday October 17, built on that with wheel-to-wheel racing, drifting, off-roading and displays.
The day’s headline race was the Huth Cup Invitational, named in honour of the circuit’s former owners. It saw an all-star grid compete in identically prepared Porsche Cayman GT4 RS Clubsports for a 12-lap shootout around the 2.5-mile, nine-turn Big Willow circuit, whose layout has remained unchanged since the track opened. F1 World Champion Jenson Button lined up alongside Marino Franchitti, Patrick Long, Emelia Hartford and Singer’s chief strategy officer Maz Fawaz. Former IndyCar driver Ed Jones took the victory.
Big Willow also hosted Vintage B-Sedan, Clubwheel House Classic Cup, IROC Porsche Tribute and vintage motorcycle races. Meanwhile, the Petersen Automotive Museum Time Attack Hillclimb, which ran from turn one to turn five, celebrated six decades of sports car performance, building on the Willow Springs’ partnership with the Los Angeles museum.
Away from the track at Willow Springs Reimagined 2026, Cars & Bids brought its hybrid live-and-online auction format to the event. The star lot of the 16-car sale was founder Doug DeMuro’s 2005 Ford GT, which sold for $540,000. Petersen Automotive Museum founding chairman and collector Bruce Meyer also displayed cars from his personal collection in the paddock.
Elsewhere, Formula Drift stars Matt Field and Odi Bakchis gave drifting demonstrations and passenger rides, and Donut Media’s Nolan Sykes won the six-driver burnout competition. Rivian ran an off-road course for its R1T and R1S, plus, with DirtFish Rally School, offered rally rides in its new R2 Performance at the Walt James Stadium.
Willow Springs Reimagined is part of the events portfolio of CrossHarbor’s Summit + Speed division, which also includes the Goodwood Road Racing Club of America and the FAT International Ice Race Big Sky.
See here for more on Willow Springs Reimagined.
