13 replies to this topic

[Johnny D]

Napa Valley, CA - The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) is pleased to announce that the 2016 Western States Championships presented by Toyo Tires will take place at the challenging Buttonwillow Raceway Park on October 13-16, 2016. NASA competitors from all over the western region of the country will converge on this Southern California circuit situated just 22 miles outside of Bakersfield, CA to challenge for top step on the podium to claim a NASA Championship.

“Buttonwillow Raceway Park requires precision to put together a perfect lap, but also offers ample room for 3 wide racing making it a great choice for our Championship event,” said Ryan Flaherty, NASA National Chairman. “New drivers to this track always leave with a great experience and can’t wait to return. Best of all, it is located almost half way between SoCal and NorCal, so we look forward to a record number of entries. NASA racers always enjoy this track and I am confident that it will Thumb buttonwillow logobe a great venue for our Championship event. This event will provide competitors from all over the western states the opportunity to see if they really have what it takes to be a NASA Champion while still providing a exciting and enjoyable weekend experience which is what the Championships is all about.”

“We look forward to welcoming all NASA competitors to Southern California for what should be an amazing event in 2016!" Buttonwillow Raceway President, Les Phillips said. “NASA has been hosting top notch regional racing at our track for more than 18 years. It will be a privilege to host their Championships and everyone here will work hard to ensure NASA drivers, crew, and family have a memorable event experience.”

2016 will mark the 25th anniversary for NASA and the 11th anniversary for our NASA Championship events. We expect to welcome over 600 competitors to our Championship events in 2016 providing competitors with the same fantastic benefits they have come to expect from the event. From the famous trackside gatherings and wonderfully lucrative contingency programs to the extremely competitive racing, the NASA Championships has truly become “the” place to race.

Look for additional announcements regarding the 2016 NASA Championship events in the future.

[Jim Drago]

That doesn't seem like a track that will attract many? Am I incorrect? Never been there.
Jim

[Johnny D]

Correct.

 

Baby power dirt if you drop produces a big dust cloud.

Pretty hot.

 

Upside there's a bunch of different configs, it's a challenging track though mostly flat with some dirt moved around for hills and dips.

J~

[Jim Drago]

Correct.
 
Baby power dirt if you drop produces a big dust cloud.
Pretty hot.
 
Upside there's a bunch of different configs, it's a challenging track though mostly flat with some dirt moved around for hills and dips.
J~

was thinking it may be Sonoma.. NASA East at Watkins will be a big event.

[Johnny D]

Yea..., well...ahhh...

 

We only have a few before we start scraping or revisiting. Portland? Thunderhill, AZ, Utah, ahhh..., ahhh....

Texas, West ??

 

But Sonoma may have skipped his mind since he's there all the time.

J~

[Bad Rusty]

That doesn't seem like a track that will attract many? Am I incorrect? Never been there.
Jim

I really wanted to just send Trebec saying "Correct", but this was so much more fun.  Enjoy the waste of 6 minutes laughing in your office!

 

https://youtu.be/ImaYMoTi2g8

[Rob Burgoon]

Willow Springs in 2017?  Here's hoping.

[ToddW]

".....it will Thumb buttonwillow logobe a great venue..."  Huh?    

 

Buttonwillow reminds me of a big Go Kart track. Very fast, but to drive it fast you need seat time because

there are not very many reference points. As John said, the dirt off the track (which ends up on the track)

is perfect for making HUGE dust clouds when cars step off....you will end up driving through at least one

blind dust cloud during a race. Serious inside wheel air hopping the curb over "Phil Hill".....in the end

you will leave there with a smile on your face.

[38bfast]

Wow that's not what I would call a bucket list track. Lots of rocks off track as well. I can't remember anything being close by. Out in the middle of desert.

[Ron Alan]

Wow that's not what I would call a bucket list track. Lots of rocks off track as well. I can't remember anything being close by. Out in the middle of desert.

Not really the desert as it is in the central valley...ag country and these days a dust bowl! Not a bad facility but hard to spectate. And guaranteed it will be hot and windy! Have never left the track but cant imagine any 5 star restaurants or hotels in the area!

[Rob Burgoon]

Wow that's not what I would call a bucket list track. Lots of rocks off track as well. I can't remember anything being close by. Out in the middle of desert.

 

Rocks?  You're thinking of willow springs.

[Chad Martin]

This two coast nasa championship thing is great...for any championship competitor that does not live in MN.  

 

Could be worse i guess.  Could be ND.

 

 

Next year they should totally confuse everyone and do east coast at Road America and West Coast at Hallet.   Then we might be able to make it....to both!

[Tom Hampton]

The same thing could be said for Texas. 

 

Dallas to MRLS? 1700 miles

Dallas to VIR? 1200 miles

Dallas to Elkhart? 1100 miles

Dallas to Miller? 1300 miles

Dallas to Daytona? 1100 miles

 

Add about 100 miles for Houston to most of those places.

[Tom Hampton]

I love Hallett!!!  But, I have a hard time imagining West or East Nationals at that track.  Where would everybody paddock?