Hi guys. I was just wondering what Wendover's like during Speed Week. Specifically, how Mormon and Utah-like is Wendover? I've heard that there are casinos. Is that across the Nevada State line? Is beer widely available, or is the town dry? Does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay, other than what's available? And who's going? Thanks, Matt
The town straddles the state line, but the big side is the Nevada side. It's a blast. You can't help but enjoy it. there's no shortage of beer, or fun. There's a list of accomodations at http://www.scta-bni.org Don't miss the bend in the road, if you don't mind roughing it, consider camping there. The N49 crew will be at the Rainbow. Mike
You can't come into Utah unless you join the mormon church! There are no casino's..........they are really churches. Its just a ploy to get you here so they can baptize you. Most of the mormons here drive horse and buggy covered wagons or ten speed bikes with their 50+ wives in tow and their 200+ kids. There is no such thing as beer here.....it's sunny everyday except when god makes it rain for the mormons. Do not come to speed week, unless you plan to drive the mormon metor. Nobody but mormons are allowed on the salt flats. Does this answer your ignorant question?
[ QUOTE ] The N49 crew will be at the Rainbow. Mike [/ QUOTE ] I'll be there too. (Rainbow) As far as burnouts in the parking lots; kinda frowned on.
[ QUOTE ] You can't come into Utah unless you join the mormon church! There are no casino's..........they are really churches. Its just a ploy to get you here so they can baptize you. Most of the mormons here drive horse and buggy covered wagons or ten speed bikes with their 50+ wives in tow and their 200+ kids. There is no such thing as beer here.....it's sunny everyday except when god makes it rain for the mormons. Do not come to speed week, unless you plan to drive the mormon metor. Nobody but mormons are allowed on the salt flats. Does this answer your ignorant question? [/ QUOTE ] No, but it speaks volumes about the kind of guy who'd live in SLC.
Well, there are a few casinos in West-Wendover, that's the part of Wendover that landed on the Nevada side of the line. Booze and beer is available, but if you can manage it, bring it from home. It's cheaper and you get to bring your favorite - FWIW, you can't get LoneStar there. There is a lot of evening activity with all the sightseers in town. But keep the shenagians down. The local fuzz has no tolerance for burnouts or speedy driving in their town and they wait all year for the oppertunity to fleece a few hot rodders. You've been warned. Cruise, but keep it cool. Where to stay? Wherever you can find a bed! Seriously. I think I'm with a group purchase at the Motel 6. I usually like to stay at full service hotels, but in Wendover the only time you'll be in the room is for showering and sleeping, so discount rooms rule that week. Anyone know if there's a T-Mobile Hot Spot in Wendover? Or other internet local that I can upload photos from? I seem to remember that GSM Cell service in that area is non-existant.
modernbeat, Not sure if there are Hot spots in town, but I do know that Jon Amo was uploading pix onto his Landspeed site last year from Motel 6. He said that it was slow as heck, but more time for working and chatting. Chris Nelson Kansas
Modernbeat, T-mobile works on the salt. I had service the whole time I was there, except for a spot between the highway and the entrance to the salt flats, where I happened to run out of gas. You drive more miles out there than you think you do! As far as uploading pics goes, I can't really help you there.
Last year I dialed up using a long distance phone number to get my email and stay in touch with work (working during my vacation - yuck). If I have to, I'll go that route again. I'll contact the local Chamber of Commerce to find out if they can locate a public access wide band connection. And I'll be looking forward to seeing all the HAMBers out there too.
Seems to me I saw wideband available in a truckstop in Wells, there's got to be something in Wendover.
Yeah.........maybe I was a bit harsh on you. But seriously.........think about it for one minute. Of course there is beer. And of course the Casino's are in Nevada. Where else would they be? There is only one grocery store in town and only one liquer store. And they both charge the same price for beer. Wendover is a one horse town at best. And yes watch out for the ***hole cops........35mph speed limit in front of the casino's. Modernbeat..........If you bring me some Shinerbok.....I'll bring the Volkswagon engine blocks. Mike
If all you want is ***ties and beer, go to Reno or Vegas. Save room for the racers and salt fanatics. I'll be at the bend in the road.
fwiw: you can get block ice just about everywhere that sells ice. it keeps out on the salt a lot longer than crushed ice.
Since no one else will answer... last August we only found one strip club. It was in a strip mall (ironic, isn't it?) andI think it used to be a Supercuts. A little West of town. Anyways, the talent there was a little above average as well as the price of the beer. I don't remember the name of it... since I think it was a Supercuts.... I dunno.... Super****s??
A general reminder while drinking beer anywhere near the boarder of Utah. BRING IT WITH YOU!!! Utah serves up that low octane beer, so buy in Nevada and bring it with you. Enjoy.
More important than how the local constabularly regards dumb**** hot-rod hi-jinks on the streets of Wendover is the view that long-time salt racers have about such hillbilly tactics. Folks accustomed to running speeds in the 200-300 mph range are not going to be overly impressed with relatively puny streetable powerplants that can do no better than break loose a street tire or two. Most important, they won't be especially pleased at the negative attention you're bringing to their long-time favorite place to race when you do such things. If your concerns are about how much **** you can get away with and where to buy the really strong beer, I suggest you stay home and not trouble yourselves with living for a week in Wendover, and we'll tell you all about it when Speed Week is finished. Some of us have very different ideas of what is cool . . .
Yeah Mike, just ask Sam how red faced he was after firing off the dragster next the the head starters bed at midnight... Buick59, I've already got a STACK of blocks. Don't worry though, I'll bring a sample pack of Texas honey for you. Mike, as much as I enjoy the occasional hi-jinx, after viewing racing machinery all day, I was too humbled to do much other than creep back to my motel and preview the day's shots.
Utah has ****ty beer - it has to be low %. ****em, and buy been in Nevada. There is (in '02 at least) an Internet cafe/Mexican restaurant on the Utah side, just down the street from the "campground" in the casino parking lot. Sorry, I don't remember the name. There's a strip club at the far end of town, but don't get too excited. I love to stay up late and party, but when I'm out there I go to bed early so I can get up *really* early and be on the salt by sunrise. In my opinion, Wendover ****s, but West Wendover is OK. I've never been too impressed by states with as many "morality" rules as Utah (so I shut to the hell up and stay away - they live their life, I live mine). Have a blast, and don't forget the sunscreen on the bottom of your nose. Tackett
Hey Mike- I can appreciate the atmosphere there is a bit intense and may not be the wild party time, but isn't there a time at the end of a hot good day out on the salt that you may want to put your feet up drink a cold beverage and shoot the bull. I hope that while I'm there I can sit down with people like yourself and maybe learn a little (or alot, as in my case) something.
Last year at Bonneville, I was in the pits by 6:00 a.m. firing up the generator to heat up the racers' fluids. At night, I didn't get out of there until most of the "partying" was done. I slid by Bob K's room one night for a brief lying session and a few beers and I managed to slip away for one of the last weenies at the HOP UP deal but most of my socializing happened on my bike rides through the pits and during the wait in line for the long course. I did get away for the H.A.M.B. "Photo Op". I never felt slighted. I can get beer here. I can get salt here, too. But it's just not the same. Wayno
I'll take the blame for talking Sam into fireing up the digger. But then, I've been there other years too and Midnight on Saturday night at the bend has never been quiet and the starters know this. Hell, that's always the big party of the whole week.
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