My stepdad and I are thinking about a trip to Bonneville for Speed Week in August. Just want some pointers on lodging and tips for being on the salt for a whole week. What cars are you planning to take there? If you're a racer, what cl*** are you in and what records are you chasing? And since the HAMB is all about history, what land speed contributions and records have been set by members here? Feel free to post any pictures of your trips to (or runs on) the salt.
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/bvillecar/bonneville-Index.html couple of these guys are on here, no affiliation just admiration
Bonneville is something EVERY hot rodder MUST go to; at least once in your life! I'll just answer your first question. (although I am involved with a racer; #1149 B/STR) If you don't have reservations by now; you may have to take a sleeping bag. Most "old salts" make reservations for the following year as they walk out the door of the hotel after the week is over. (might be someone on here who made reservations; but someone can't make it) No grandstands. Bring your own seating AND SHADE!! Bring LOTS of film! (or memory sticks if your "up to date!") BIG cooler. Ice available at the truck stop at the highway entry to the road going out on the salt. (hotel ice machines are usually empty by 6:30 AM!) HAT! The bigger the brim the better! Suntan lotion! SPF 40 or better. (if there is such a thing) And a delicate warning. The sun reflects UP! on the salt; so ah.., you need to protect the family jewels if your going to wear shorts! (don't worry, lots of guys apply the lotion in the washrooms!! )
I agree with Dave, Bonneville is a MUST see. I went in 2001 right after my Dad died, he was a long time Bonnevilee fan, worker and participant. I went August 2001 and my uncles and I started work on our rodster in early 2002. We ran Speedweek 2003. After some help from So-cal Speed Shop and GM Performance I got my red hat. (200 mph Club). We also packed my Dad's Ashes in my chute. Bonneville is a great hot rod, racing mecca not just because the cars but because of the people. You gotta go! Todd
Since local "permanent structure" Lodging is 'non-existant', can a spectator bring a motorhome and park on the premises --or must everyone leave at the end of the day?
I booked a camp spot at the KOA in Wendover on Monday of this week. You might try that if you are soft like me and want electricty and water in your RV. Mike
I crew on a couple of cars (664 & 369) but don't know at this moment which will be at Speed Week this year. I am also building a Lakester. P-38 Belly Tank with a Flathead. Wayno
B/STR Digger is a member of our crew, Our club website is http://1149.ca if you look under races you'll find loys of pictures and general coverage of 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 (although we didn't run in 2005 we did go as spectators) We've managed 198.9 so far, and the record for the cl*** we're in is a shade under 215. We've built a fresh engine this year, it gets run for the first time on a dyno July 13. A couple of our crew cars that will be there this summer Dad's hiboy and my roadster. mike
I also crew on a couple of cars from the east coast. E/STR 1986 & AA/GL 608 The picture of the Lakester is just after begin repainted, before Lettering. It is part of a cancer fundraiser check out http://www.bonneville300.com/
I know GMC BUBBA and crew are heading out this year to race. http://www.lindertech.com/gas/index.html
Re: Do you race at Bonneville? I go there for the scenery and the swimming... well maybe a little water skiing in the deep spots...!
Shhh .. wingnutz! Now everyone will bring their Jetski's!! Seriously; the "Salt Flats" is one of the most FANTASTIC places in the world! If your into cars, trucks and other FAST machinery; BE THERE!!
DC Water Jet's Duane and Gary Cole from Las Vegas will be there. Gary is on the HAMB. www.dcwaterjet.com
Seconding this suggestion. I had nasty sunburn UP my shorts, from the glare off the salt. To sum up: Best. Time. Ever. Here's my favorite photo I've taken of Bonneville: Ben
I'll be there with Hooley's Stude (974) and I'm building a lakester also (see link below). There are two courses, a long course and a short course. If you are interested in which one you run and how to move from one to the other you might want to read the story I did on Hooley's 2004 run ( HERE). The story will kind of give you and idea of what it is like running a car there. Stop by and see us and say hello, and that goes for the rest of you too
I don't race but I will be there, we are leaving california with a 1956 Buick Wagon and a 1960 Cadillac, we wanted to do a little road trip instead of all the caifornia shows so we decided to go to el mirage and bonneville!! My Name is Brent, come say hi if you see me!
If you are going as a racer World Finals can be real good as their is no where near the entrants, but the weather can be iffy and the days are shorter and can be cold. As a spectator you want to go to Speed Week for sure. I think they are already over 460 entries for this year. So you get to see many more bikes/cars and you get to see all the spectators cars like the guys on here that will be going. Friday/Sat. nights at the bend are a hole other story and it is like a car show in town those two nights. If it is you first time to go make sure it is Speed Week . c ya, Sum
Rolling Bones will be racing the Roadster again this year with a few updates to go faster...haha...still flattie, but a bit more motor..haha, we wanna go alittle fatser than the 110.474 last year...Bonneviulle is a GOTTA DO...once you get on the salt for the first time..theres no feeling like it....lol
You must leave the salt each night. I think the cut off time is 8:00 sharp. Your tools and equipment are much safer on the salt than in town! Bni personel sweep the pits and than turn the salt over to a patrol person and there are guards at the end of the pavement.
Something that hasn't been mentioned. When you drive (into and/or around) the pit area; you WILL pickup a bunch of salt underneath fenders the frame and the running gear. 1. Kick off the BIG lumps BEFORE you leave for the day. The hotels have been getting a mite testey about all the lumps in their parking lots. 2. Although there is a temptation to stop by one of the coin washes and pressure wash the salt off/under your car/truck everyday; NOT a good idea!! The pressure washing will disolve the salt and DRIVE it into every little nook and cranny. (do the words "accelerated salt corrosion" ring any bells??) Some old timers liberally spray the undersides of their "drivers" and/or "racers" with WD40 or another product called "Salt-a-Way" (or something like that) to keep the salt from getting into fasteners and joints before they travel to the "salt." The very best way to get rid of the salt under your vehicle; is to LEAVE IT ALONE until you get home. Then climb underneath and PHYSICALLY knock as much free as you can and sweep it up. Then stretch out your lawn soaker strip on the driveway; park your vehicle over the strip; turn the soaker strip on, and let the gentle spray disolve the rest. (might be an environmental concern where you live, so check to see where it will drain to) If your "bound and determined" to have your vehicle "sparkling clean" (at least on the outside) use a bucket and HAND wash it! Oddly enough; many who come to Bonneville consider a coating of salt (especially fenderless roadsters!) a "badge of honor!"
Reminds me of an incident back when I was doing some of the annoucing at the track. Seems some smart ***es thought they could sneek in the back way in the dark of night and boost some tools. (keep in mind it's pitch black; NO lights at the track or in the pits!) Even though it was a 4x4, their truck broke through the crust and was stuck up to the axles. They had to abandon the truck and thought they could come back later and get someone to tow them out. Well, it seems they picked one of the softest places on the salt; and NO one would go out to get them! The truck sat mired in the mud (the mud is just under the crust of salt) for the WHOLE of Speed Week, and the story went that it was still stuck there in October when the World Finals were held!
camp at the bend in the road. it's free and the entertainment can't be beat. especially saturday night. even if you stay in town you gotta go to the bend in the road on saturday night. and bring those old worthless magnesium wheels with ya.
A 20+ year tradition-- I heard a story about a Utah Highway Patrol seeing a bright light on the Western Horizon some 25 miles away and his natural investigator's curiosity led him all the way to the Bend in the Road to find out what it was. Ed Weldon
Never raced I've wrenched more than once. Tips on logeing get there and look around best bet is out by the airport.
My son and I went last year and even with the bad salt it was a great time. We will be going again to cheer-on help-out a Father/son race team. The Father was an old-tyme hot rod friend that did over 60 engine swaps in the mid 50's. http://www.wrightrace.com/New%20Bonneville.htm I understand if you rent a car you could get a healthy fee charged to you if you bring it back with salt all under it. My son had used PAM cooking oil on his fenders to make it easier to clean off the rubber after an evening of dragracing. We used PAM cooking oil on a friends pickup last year and The salt came off pretty easily. Ol Blue
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