--- title: "Willow Springs International Raceway Is Being Sold to Private Equity Firm" date: "2025-02-21" modified: "2025-02-21" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/exclusive-private-equity-firm-set-to-buy-willow-springs-raceway" categories: - "Culture" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Willow Springs International Raceway Is Being Sold to Private Equity Firm ![]() After 62 years of family ownership, California's famous Willow Springs International Raceway is about to have a new owner: private equity. *The Drive* can report that a Boston-based private equity firm named CrossHarbor Capital Partners that specializes in "property turnarounds" for commercial real estate is in the closing stages of purchasing the iconic race track. We received a tip that the firm was involved in a deal to buy the track, and a spokesperson confirmed the news when we reached out. "While CrossHarbor Capital can not provide details on acquisitions before they are complete, we can confirm that a deal is pending and the team is excited to preserve the legacy and enthusiast access to one of America’s most iconic racing facilities while also setting up the property for growth and success in the future. More details will be released soon," read the statement provided to *The Drive*. Hmm. Enthusiast access, you say... According to its [website](), CrossHarbor focuses exclusively on commercial real estate and currently has a property portfolio worth over $10 billion. Its investment philosophy is that success depends on "thorough analysis, not whimsical prediction," and its "singular focus is preserving capital while maximizing returns and minimizing risk." ![]() ![]() ![]() It's too soon to speculate about the firm's intentions for the beloved race track, which opened in 1953, though the carefully worded statement gives us hope that its legacy and [enthusiasts' access]() to the facility will remain a top priority. It's safe to assume that more details will be forthcoming once the sale is finalized. Willow Springs Raceway was [listed for sale]() in June of last year, after 62 years under the care of Bill Huth and his family. Huth passed away in 2015, at which point the family continued running the track the way he always did: cheap, no frills, frozen in time, and perhaps more relevant to this moment, against all financial sense. The iconic track transported its many fans to a time when American road racing was producing legendary drivers who took on Europe's finest; a time when names like [Ken Miles]() were permanent fixtures at Willow. The asking price was never revealed, though the listing included everything within the venue's 600 acres, including its seven individual tracks, cinderblock office and garage buildings, maintenance equipment, and even the snack bar famous for serving hot dogs and fried fish sandwiches. Most parking areas were dirt, and the venue only featured a few spectator zones, though some rather special ones like the balcony on Big Willow provided great viewing opportunities. Given its size, terrain, and absurdly cheap passes for track days and club racing, it's fascinating to think this place exists just 90 minutes from Los Angeles. It's this absurdity that likely led to the eventual sale of the track. Willow Springs was *cheap* to rent. Despite being featured in blockbuster movies like *Ford vs. Ferrari*, constantly being booked by racing clubs—and media publications and automakers alike for video productions, photo shoots, or the occasional media drive—prices always remained low. You can rent Big Willow for a full day for under $5,000, which is a bargain [compared to]() just about any other comparable track nationwide. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() How will this change once CrossHarbor Capital Partners takes over? It's too soon to say, and this is merely speculation, but the first order of business will be to raise prices. Even if it planned on leaving the facility as it currently is, things are more expensive now, staffing is always just a bit short, and many aspects of the place could use some updating. Will the new owners want to open all seven tracks every day or only on weekends? Will it keep all tracks alive or get rid of the lesser-used ones? Big Willow and Streets are icons that you’d think would be safe, but everything else, who knows? Lastly, will Willow Springs Raceway morph into a sort of Thermal 2.0? Y'know, multi-million-dollar condos, grandiose garages, a country club, spa, pool, green areas, and perhaps even a posh hotel given the lack of nearby accommodations. The [original listing]() already pitched most of these ideas to potential buyers, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them come to reality. If CrossHarbor wants to keep the doors open for another 70-plus years, it'll have to find clever and sustainable ways of generating a healthy income. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()