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This is a vintage brass contestant plaque from the First Annual Open Willow Springs Road Race held on May 9, 1954.
This plaque is original and UNUSED. The tape on the back has never been taken off. nor has this plaque ever been affixed to any surface.
These brass plaques were strictly given to the drivers, mechanics, and officials who entered the event (as noted by the "Contestant" stamping). Because the starting grid only featured around 34 cars, very few of these plaques were ever made, and fewer survive today.
The First Open Willow Springs Road Race on May 9, 1954, stands as a milestone event in American motorsports history.
The race was presented by the California Sports Car Club (Cal Club), which was the dominant sports car racing sanctioning body in Southern California at the time.
This contestant plaque accurately illustrates the original 9-turn configuration, including the sweeping, high-speed downhill Turn 9 leading back onto the main straightaway.
The May 1954 event was highly significant because it was held during the time the iconic 2.5-mile layout—now famously known as "Big Willow"—was being paved over to create a permanent, high-speed asphalt surface.
Dash plaques like this were traditionally affixed to the dashboards of competitor cars. Because this was the "First Annual" open event, it is highly sought after by collectors of Southern California racing heritage and SCCA / Cal Club memorabilia.
