Willow Springs International Raceway has partnered with the Petersen Automotive Museum now that it has new ownership. That may appear to be an unusual pairing, but we’re interested to see how it turns out.
Brad Pitt really wants to drive an F1 racecar again.
A press release about the partnership announces the addition of a Petersen Pavillion. It is unclear what it will be, but it is intended to contribute to “elevating Willow Springs as a cultural and historical landmark.”
At the very least, we’d expect to learn about the track’s history, perhaps through a mini-museum exhibit. This could include photographs, interactive displays, or even a historical vehicle or two.
There are numerous possibilities, and we’ve come to expect a lot from Petersen, so hopefully this meets and exceeds those expectations.
“As one of the most iconic racetracks in America, Willow Springs is an ideal place to celebrate the passion, heritage, and innovation that define the automotive world,” said Terry L. Karges, executive director of the Petersen Automotive Museum.
“We look forward to bringing our expertise in storytelling and curation to create an environment where enthusiasts can engage with automotive culture in a dynamic and meaningful way.”
As previously reported, Willow Springs was purchased in April by a CrossHarbor Capital Partners affiliate in collaboration with Singer Vehicle Design. The goal is to restore the facilities that have fallen into disrepair while keeping the track accessible to the public.
Some private events will be held there, which should help keep the lights on. However, there were some concerns that Willow Springs would become one of those club facilities that require an expensive buy-in to keep the poor out.
Instead, it appears that the new owners are reaching out to pillars in the automotive community to help make the facilities nicer and keep costs low, ensuring access for regular Joes who enjoy motorsports. That is great to see.
Images from Petersen Automotive Museum.
