Home of the longest race in the US the 25 hour Thunderhill offers 3 distinct track configurations and a challenging course earning it the nickname of "Thunderschleife."
| Date | Name | Organization | Venue | Location | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 10 | Repave Party - Thunderhill 3 Mile Thursday | Hooked On Driving - California | Thunderhill Raceway Park | Willows, CA | HPDE | More Info |
| Nov 7-8 | Thunderhill November Run - 3 Mile | Hooked On Driving - California | Thunderhill Raceway Park | Willows, CA | HPDE | More Info |
| Dec 12-13 | 2026 Season Closer! Thunderhill 3 & 5 Mile | Hooked On Driving - California | Thunderhill Raceway Park | Willows, CA | HPDE | More Info |
Thunderhill gives HPDE drivers more track configurations than almost anywhere else in the country. The 3-mile East course strings together 15 turns, mixing long sweepers with tighter technical sections, while the 2-mile West course rewards precision with linked, technical corners built for learning car control. Combine them and you get the full 5-mile "Thunderschleife," the longest permanent road course in the U.S. and a nod to Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife. East course regulars talk most about the Cyclone, a downhill, off-camber corner reminiscent of the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca. Wide runoff areas throughout make Thunderhill forgiving for drivers pushing past their comfort zone, and the track's street-car-friendly design means there's a configuration suited to nearly any skill level. Few venues offer this much variety in a single day of HPDE.
Thunderhill was built in 1993 by the San Francisco Region SCCA after growing frustration with scheduling at Sears Point and Laguna Seca, and the closure of Riverside Raceway. Designer Steve Crawford laid out a course near Willows that opened on Halloween 1993 with a three-day SCCA event drawing 15,000 spectators, a track record that still stands. The circuit expanded to its current 3-mile East course in 1997, and in 2014 a new 2-mile West course was added. Combined, the two form the 5-mile "Thunderschleife." It is now home to the 25 Hours of Thunderhill, the longest automobile race in the United States. Full circuit history is available via RacingCircuits.info and Wikipedia.
Thunderhill sits in the Sacramento Valley, about an hour north of Sacramento, so there's a mix of nature and small-town charm to fill out a track day trip. The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is just minutes from the track, with a six-mile auto tour and walking trails known for bald eagles and migratory birds. Downtown Willows offers a walkable stretch of shops, cafes, and the Willows Museum for a look at the area's ranching and railroad history. Wine and beer lovers can stop by local spots like Farmers Brewing before heading back to the track. With Chico about 30 minutes away and Redding and the Sacramento metro both within reach, a Thunderhill weekend pairs easily with a broader Northern California road trip.
