Story and photos from baggerracingleague.com

It will be winner-take-all when the Bagger Racing League heads to world-renowned Willow Springs International Raceway for its grand finale. A full slate of championship races is slated for Drag Specialties Battle of the Baggers Willow Springs on November 18–19 as only five points separate the top two contenders in the NAMZ Bagger GP class. In the heralded Metzler Pro Stock Bagger series, only seven points separate the one and two positions. The Icon Lite Weight Twins class title is also still up for grabs, and riders will be hungry for podium positions in the last races of the season.

Founded in 1953, Willow Springs International Raceway is the oldest track in the United States that’s still in its original configuration. The inaugural race was held on November 23, 1953, and since then the prestigious venue has hosted more than its fair share of epic events. The first two NASCAR events west of the Mississippi took place at Willow Springs. It hosted the first F.I.M. 500 Grand Prix motorcycle race in America, held the first AMA events, the first 24-hour motorcycle endurance race, and the list goes on and on. 

The 600-acre complex features eight racetracks highlighted by a super-fast 2.5-mile, nine-turn road racing circuit, “patterned after the great courses and road racing traditions of Europe.” Known as one of the fastest and most challenging tracks in the country, it features elevation changes and high average speeds with top motorcycle riders often approaching 200 mph down the straightaways. Because this fabled course has seen continuous use since its opening, it has been declared an official California Point of Historical Interest. On November 18—19, it’s going to be ground central for the most exciting motorcycle racing in the nation. 

One of the beauties of Willow Springs is because of its openness and layout, fans can see almost the entire racecourse from just about anywhere, including the many trackside camping areas. Visitor amenities include two full-service diners with full bars, a well-stocked gift shop, spectator seating and parking, modern restrooms, and outstanding viewing areas. Its website states there are large viewing areas available for RV parking and camping, including several full hookups for trailers and motor homes. Racer amenities include several enclosed garages, with racing fuel and tire services available at the track daily.

That said, Willow Springs lies in the high desert of Southern California on the fringe of Rosamond, California. Its remoteness comes with its own unique set of challenges and rewards, so to help fans prepare and know what to expect when they get there, we got the inside scoop from somebody who knows the track well. Brady Walker has been racing vintage motorcycles at Willow Springs for about 20 years with the ARMA and others. Once the president of the Venice Vintage Motorcycle Club, he founded Classic Track Day at Willow Springs, The Willow Springs Roundup flat track races, and The Great Hanford Cycle Show & Swap. Walker was instrumental in bringing BRL to the high desert for its big season-ending showdown and has witnessed the slow introduction of Harleys on the track first-hand. Here’s a straight-shooting guide from someone who has played an active role over the past 20 years. 

“Baggers will be competing on Big Willow, the fast 2.5-mile course. Half of it has recently been repaved, and the track is in excellent condition. They do have gas on-site—91, 101, and 110, from VP. They don’t have an oil dump, so what you bring in, take out with you, specifically tires, oil, and gasoline cans. If you don’t, the track will give Rob a bill for it, so please be mindful,” Walker said.

What People Can and Should Expect

“Willow Springs provides an opportunity to have fun without as many rules as so many of the other places. The track really is the Wild West. It’s the high desert. There are a couple of bathrooms and porta-potties. There are no showers. It will be cold at night. It could be very warm during the day, even though it is November. There could be no wind. There could be tons of wind though, so campers, be sure to have things battened down. The bottom line is to plan accordingly.

“As far as the paddock, power is very limited to people who might have a hook-up or have rented a garage. There are about 6-7 garages that are usually available for rent. As far as power hook-ups for your RV, there are less than a handful. 

“Be mindful of others if you’re running a generator. Shutting it down by 10 is a general rule of thumb. But the beauty of Willow Springs is you can camp pretty much anywhere you want—up on the hills, pitch a tent next to your bike under the stars, or post up near the paddock. I’m going to be staying out at Turn 8 which is about a half-mile from the paddock where there is 30-amp service, drains, and water.

“There is a great café at the track. The food is good. They’ve got breakfast burritos, their sandwiches are great, and so are their burgers. They’ve got Bloody Mary’s and a full bar. Anyone staying at the track can order from the Willows Café. They open early for coffee.”

The nearest hotels are in Rosamond or Mojave, which is about 30 miles away. Of the hotels in Rosamond, Walker recommends the Devonshire Inn. 

He also has great recommendations for local eats, too.

“Guido’s is an Italian restaurant that sits right on the runway of a regional airport. The servings are huge and the ambiance is amazing.”

Roberto’s Mexican Food is also nearby and is claimed to be your best take-out option (they even have margaritas to go!). He recommended Las Margarita’s Cocina & Cantina for the best sit-down dining so you can embrace the magnitude of its molcajete. For the best pizza, give Jesse’s Pizza a call because when you order, if you say you’re at the track and you give the driver a nice tip, they’ll bring it out to the track for you. 

One of the benefits of holding the final BRL races in Willow Springs it’s generally still warm and sunny and there are some great local rides. Walker says one starts right out the facility’s front gate. He says that coming out of the Willow Springs facility, turn right and go west for a couple of miles until you hit Tehachapi/Willow Spring Rd. That road will lead you up into Tehachapi, a wonderfully curvy adventure through massive mountains and giant fields of modern windmills. Sometimes the clouds are even swirling up there, making it even more surreal. Walker advises stopping for lunch in Tehachapi because there are great restaurants there as well. 

Another ride he recommends heads due south straight across the valley floor to The Rock Inn, an almost 100-year-old tavern set in a stone building out by Elizabeth Lake. It’s a popular stop for Southern California riders.

“They’ve got great food and for people who don’t come out here all the time, it goes right past the poppy reserve on a couple of bitching old roads to get you there,” added Walker.

 So, who’s going to bring home the title as the baddest bagger rider in the BRL? Join us at Willow Springs on November 18–19 and find out. A Weekend Camping Pass for Nov 17—20 costs $75. A Multi-Day Race Pass is $30 online or $60 at the gate, while a Single-Day Race Pass is $20 online or $30 at the gate. A map with the general layout and ideas for camping and watching the races is coming soon, so stay tuned.