Thunderhill Raceway Park
Location
Willows, California, USA
Current Local Time
Track Info
Thunderhill Raceway Park - Willows, California, USA
Versatile Northern California motorsport complex - known for fast elevation changes, the dramatic Cyclone corner and separate East, West and combined layouts
When was the track built?
The San Francisco Region of the Sports Car Club of America began planning Thunderhill after finding it increasingly difficult to secure suitable dates at other California circuits. Building its own venue would give club racers a permanent home.
Construction began in early 1993 on farmland west of Willows. Funding came from the regional and national SCCA, private supporters and car clubs, including an important contribution from the Shelby Club.
The original course opened later that year. It was expanded into the present three-mile East Course during the 1990s, while the separate two-mile West Course and connecting roads were completed in 2014.
When was its first race?
Thunderhill's opening meeting was a three-day SCCA regional event held over Halloween weekend in October 1993. Approximately 15,000 spectators attended, an unusually large crowd for a new club-racing circuit.
The programme featured several amateur categories, and actor and sports-car racer Craig T. Nelson was among the competitors.
What's the circuit like?
- Fast East Course: Long straights and sweeping corners are mixed with blind crests and slower technical sections.
- The Cyclone: The signature corner climbs steeply before dropping over a blind crest, creating a smaller version of Laguna Seca's Corkscrew.
- Technical West Course: Closely connected corners reward accurate positioning, smooth steering and careful throttle use.
- Significant elevation: The East Course has approximately 200 ft of elevation change, affecting visibility, braking and grip.
The East Course is usually the easier layout for spectators to understand, while the West Course demands greater precision from drivers. Combining them creates a long lap where concentration and memory are essential.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Sports Prototype: 1:35.380 - Jim Devenport, Elan DP02, 2021.
- ASR Sports Racer: 1:37.168 - Jim Devenport, Norma M20FC, 2019.
- Formula Atlantic: 1:37.623 - Chip Romer, Swift 016.a, 2022.
- Daytona Prototype: 1:45.041 - Spencer Trenery, Riley DP, 2017.
- Formula 4: 1:49.254 - William DeLaRosa, Ligier JS F4, 2020.
- Road-legal car benchmark: 1:48.30 - Joel Miller, Czinger 21C, 2025.
The official SCCA race records apply to the 2.866-mile East Course. Private testing, time attack and road-car laps use different rules and should not be compared directly.
Why is it famous?
Thunderhill became best known for one of North America's toughest endurance races. The event began as the Timex 12 Hours of Thunderhill in 1998 and expanded to 25 hours in 2003.
The race brought professional drivers and advanced sports cars onto the same circuit as amateur teams. Competitors faced darkness, cold temperatures, traffic, changing weather and the constant risk of mechanical failure.
The 25-hour race later moved to Ozarks International Raceway, but Thunderhill remains strongly associated with long-distance club racing.
What events are held here?
Thunderhill hosts SCCA and NASA racing, endurance events, historic cars, motorcycle meetings, drifting, time attack, autocross and high-performance driver education.
The 2026 programme includes the Thunderhill Open grassroots festival, a revived NASA 12-hour race, World Racing League endurance competition and the 25 Hours and 1 Minute of Lemons.
Why go?
Thunderhill offers more variety than many racing venues. Different events can use the East Course, West Course and skid pads at the same time, so visitors may see several types of motorsport during one trip.
Facilities include garages, covered parking, clubhouses, showers, catering, fuel and tyre services, RV power connections and large paddock areas. Willows is a short drive away and provides the nearest hotels and restaurants.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Turn 1: Watch competitors brake at the end of the main straight and challenge for position.
- The Cyclone: The circuit's most dramatic viewpoint, with vehicles climbing and disappearing over a blind crest.
- Turns 10-11: A useful area for seeing braking, changing direction and different approaches to the corner sequence.
- Main straight and paddock: Best for starts, finishes and activity around the teams and garages.
Public admission, paddock access and available viewing areas vary between races, track days and private tests. Check the organiser's event information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Thunderhill Raceway Park (Willows, California)
Thunderhill Raceway Park is in rural Northern California, about 7 miles west of Willows. Driving or hiring a car is by far the easiest way to arrive, as there is no regular public transport directly to the circuit.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Sacramento or the Bay Area: take Interstate 5 north to Exit 603 at Willows. Turn west and follow Highway 162 for about 7 miles; the circuit entrance will be on your right.
- From Redding or Oregon: travel south on I-5 to Exit 603, then turn west towards the circuit.
- Navigation: use 5250 Hwy 162, Willows, CA 95988. There is no need to drive into central Willows first.
- Parking: Thunderhill has large paddock and covered parking areas, but your exact parking location depends on the event you are attending.
Tip: Fill up in Willows before heading to the track if needed. The circuit is surrounded by open countryside and there are fewer everyday services once you leave town.
Bus & public transport
Thunderhill is not well suited to a public-transport-only journey. Local buses serve Willows and other communities in Glenn County, but there is no regular bus that delivers spectators directly to the circuit entrance.
- Glenn Ride: local bus services operate in and around Willows, but schedules are designed for local travel rather than race-day transport.
- Willows → circuit: you will need a taxi, pre-arranged lift or rental car for the final 7-mile journey west of town.
- Weekend events: check schedules carefully, as rural services can be limited and should not be treated as a dedicated circuit shuttle.
For first-time visitors without their own vehicle, renting a car is normally much simpler than trying to combine several local transport services.
Train
- Chico Station: Amtrak's Coast Starlight serves Chico on its route between Los Angeles, Sacramento, Portland and Seattle.
- Chico → Thunderhill: there is no rail connection from Chico to the circuit, so arrange a rental car or private transfer for the remaining journey.
- From Sacramento: rail travel can be useful if Chico fits your wider journey, but driving directly from Sacramento is usually simpler for a race weekend.
Sacramento Airport transfers
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF): the most practical major airport for most visitors flying to Thunderhill.
- Rental car: strongly recommended. All on-airport rental companies operate from the airport's rental-car facility, with free shuttle buses from both terminals.
- Driving from the airport: head towards Interstate 5 north and continue to Willows before taking Exit 603 and Highway 162.
- Taxi or rideshare: available at Sacramento Airport, but the long journey to Willows makes a rental car more practical for most multi-day visits.
Staying nearby
- Willows: the simplest place to stay, with hotels, restaurants, fuel and shops around 7 miles from the circuit.
- Book early: Thunderhill warns that hotel rooms in Willows can become limited during busy periods.
- Other towns: additional accommodation can be found within roughly 30 miles in places such as Williams, Orland, Colusa and Corning.
- Camping: overnight camping is often available when arranged by the track-day provider or club. Confirm this with your organiser before arriving.
Camping & facilities
- Camping access: when overnight camping is offered, the paddock gate normally opens at 5:30pm and remains open until midnight.
- RV hookups: electrical hookups are available in the paddock, but there are no water or sewer hookups.
- At the circuit: facilities include restrooms, showers, covered parking, clubhouses, food, fuel and Wi-Fi in the main paddock areas.
- Gate fees: many events can be watched without a general gate fee, but some organising clubs charge admission, so check before travelling.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: travelling by car is the easiest option because the circuit is several miles outside Willows and covers a large site.
- Before travelling: contact Thunderhill or your event organiser to confirm the best parking and spectator area for your requirements.
- Flying: Sacramento Airport provides accessible rental-car and ground-transport options; specially equipped rental vehicles should be reserved in advance.
Quick guide
- Driving? Take I-5 to Exit 603 at Willows, then follow Highway 162 west for about 7 miles.
- Flying? Sacramento International Airport is the most practical major airport; hire a car for the onward journey.
- Without a car? Public transport can reach the wider region, but arrange road transport for the final journey to Thunderhill.
Check Thunderhill and your event organiser shortly before travelling, as gate access, camping, admission charges and paddock arrangements can vary between events.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Thunderhill Raceway Park (Willows, California)
Whether you’re here for racing, a car or motorcycle track day, testing or drifting, Thunderhill Raceway Park sits among the rolling hills of Northern California - with wildlife refuges, reservoirs, Chico and volcanic landscapes all within reach.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge: Follow a six-mile auto tour through wetlands filled with birds and other wildlife, with observation decks and an easy two-mile Wetland Walk.
- Chico Children's Museum: Hands-on play areas, a treehouse, pretend shops and sensory-friendly spaces make this a useful option for younger children.
- National Yo-Yo Museum: A quirky stop in downtown Chico with thousands of yo-yos and the giant working wooden “Big-Yo.”
- Willows Museum: Learn about local agriculture, pioneer life and the history of this small Sacramento Valley community.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- Gateway Science Museum: Chico State's family-friendly science museum uses changing exhibitions and activities to explore science and natural history.
- Willows Museum: The historic former Carnegie library is an easy local stop when you only have an hour or two away from the circuit.
- Downtown Chico: Combine museums, independent shops and cafés for a simple afternoon if outdoor plans are washed out.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Willows: The simplest choice after a long track day, with casual restaurants and familiar options only a short drive away.
- Downtown Chico: Head east for a much wider selection of restaurants, cafés and evening entertainment.
- Sierra Nevada Brewery: Adults can tour the famous Chico brewery, visit its taproom and eat on site. Book tours ahead when available.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Bidwell Park: One of America's largest municipal parks has hiking and mountain-bike trails, picnic areas and swimming spots spread along Big Chico Creek.
- Stony Gorge Reservoir: Around 20 miles west of Willows, the reservoir is a relaxed option for boating, fishing, swimming and picnics.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Chico: Combine Bidwell Park, the museums, downtown and lunch for an easy day away from motorsport.
- Mendocino National Forest: Head west for hiking, camping, forest roads and a much wilder landscape beyond the Sacramento Valley.
- Lassen Volcanic National Park: Make an early start for volcanic peaks, mountain lakes, hiking trails and steaming hydrothermal areas. Check road and trail conditions before travelling.
Good to know when visiting Thunderhill
- Check which track you need: East and West have separate paddock areas, so confirm the layout being used before arriving.
- Camping varies by event: Overnight paddock camping is normally arranged through the track-day provider or organising club.
- Sound limits apply: Thunderhill currently operates a 103 dB limit and requires mufflers on vehicles.
- Prepare for exposed weather: Summer days can be very hot and dry, so bring water, sunscreen and shade. Cooler months can bring rain and muddy runoff areas.
Circuit access, event schedules, camping, museum hours, refuge trails and national-park conditions can change - check live information before travelling.