WENDOVER UTAH- We hit Wendover Utah at around 8:30PM on Thursday night. It took us four days to get from Pennsylvania to the promise land. Tomorrow we would be on the salt for the tech inspections and to set up camp. The town was pretty quiet, and once we had checked into our rooms, I began to notice a few familliar cars pulling up. You can't miss "Big Olds" when you see her, so I know Denise is somewhere around, theres also an equally familliar dark green convrtable with a HAMB plate on the front. Bob K is near by as well. Throughout the lot there are hot rods and hot rodders, race trailers and racers, all here for one reason, the only reason this town's population is growing this week. Salt. A NIGHT OUT- Well, it was my first night in a new town, and I was miles from home. Made a few new friends, even tried to give a nick-name to one..but it wasn't catching on. What to do? I heard that there was a new beverage out there, and it was called "beer". Beer and I used to hang out about ten years ago, but I stopped the partnership after a few "incidents". Nothing serious or illegal, but I can get a bit creative after beer and I join forces. Besides, I was surrounded by responsible adults who will look out for me...right? One beer has turned to two and before I know it I'm at a bar trying to cover up a single mother with dollar bills. She looked cold. Good times. After its agreed that photographs are not to be taken of the single moms of Nevada, I'm heading home to Motel 6 where I shot a wild dog in the ass with a foam rocket. True story. This was the only night of this type I had. Tomorrow was my first time at the salt flats and I needed sleep. FIRST LOOK AT BONNEVILLE- I had often heard stories and saw pictures of Bonneville, but it really didn't hit home until we took that exit marked "Bonneville Speedway" and headed around to "bend in the road". Everywhere you look there are hot rods and customs of all types, but mostly leaning towards the traditional side. JR's car definitely stood out because of its color, but some could hear that cammed up small block coming down the road and hear it roar by, watching it as we head towards the entrance to the salt flats. We reach the gate and pay the fee. I'm here. As we drive forward, I notice the large pool of water we have to cross before we reach dryer salt. The water is about 6 or 7 inches deep and you have to go slow or water will cover everything. We had sprayed down everything we could think of with WD-40 in an effort to protect it, but I'm not sure how well it will hold up to pure salt water. Once through the pool, we hit the dryer salt. This part of the salt is a bumpy ride and goes on for about a half mile. There are no lanes to stay in or guides as to where to go, so we just follow the mass of hot rods forward. I'll never foget that first sight of the flats, looking out into the horizon at nothing but pure white, seeing specks of cars off in the distance, moving towards the course. Seeing all my hot rod friends in thier cars having the same experience was the best hot rod moment of my life. Being caught up in it all almost made me forget I had a camera, but eventually I came around enough to take a few shots. We head out, the salt getting smoother now, to the end of the course. The feeling of driving on the salt at higher speeds is a thrill. Its almost like you went back to 1948 and were making a pass. The view yeids no clues as to the year, and surrounding you are '32 Fords and '36 Chevys. In black and white this would be timeless. We find a spot to make camp at the end of the short course. We came prepared with canopies and glider benches, plenty of water, and a small radio to keep informed of the runs. Camp is set up and I begin to look around, take a few pictures of our cars covered in salt. This is amazing. If you can, try and buy all the souveniers you can on the first day, just to get it over with. The lines are shorter and they will probably have all the sizes you're going to need. Just a hint.. THE SUN- One thing I can tell you about the salt flats, is the same thing everyone says. Protect yourself from that SUN! Dark glasses are a must, because without them you'll hurt your eyes. light is reflecting UP off the white salt, so wear a heavy sun screen and put it on the undersides of everywhere the sun can reach. I don't wear shorts. Its my gift to the world. SPEED WEEKEND- Yeah, its Speed Week for some people, but I have a job to head back to, so for me, its Speed Weekend. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are all spent on the salt flats, meeting people, buying shirts, taking lots of photos, and basically taking it all in. JR has let me take the coupe around the pits when I need it, and he's even un-capped the headers. Just walking around the pits I've met some great people. Finally I got to meet Coop, Coby from Church, many HAMBers, and I got a long chat with one of my heroes Steve Coonan from Rodder's Journal. Right on the salt. I thought I saw Jimmy Shine's truck once too, but I could have been wrong. I'm sure that truck has been cloned so many times it could have been anyone. Most of the day is spent keeping out of the sun and the heat, drinking water, and watching the cars. THE NIGHT LIFE- Friday night we decided to check out the action at the Nugget casino, visit the buffet, and see if any cars were hanging out. Sure enough, there were a few cars lined up out front, so we cruised the lot a bit, still as a group, and parked on the second floor of the garage. Once inside, JR found the chocolate fountain, and it looked as though we were all having a seafood buffet weather we liked it or not. There was just no pulling him away from the bubbling, multi-layered, cascade of fudge. Ya gotta live a little I guess. Back outside, the lot was filling up with some very traditional cars, even a few old racers. There was one car that I had to get on film, on the salt, and you'll get to see that when I get my shots back from the lab. Film. Who uses that anymore? SATURDAY- Saturday was my first oportunity to see some cars run on the salt. People talk about how the sound is an incredible part of the experience, and I have to agree. I've covered a ton of drag racing events, but this is different. The sound on the salt is pure heaven when a hot motor is being pushed to its limits. Its memorable. With the help of binoculars I can see the cars at the end of the short course from our compound. But a trip up to the starting line is in order. We recieve some special orange stickers for our cars so that we can go all the way up to the starting line. At the line you can be right there in the action, standing inches away from a car that will soon be attempting a record run. The safety officials really check you out, and make sure the car is safe to run. If anything doesn't look right to them, anything at all, they will shut you down until they are satisfied.Weather it be a loose saftey harness, or a leak in the car, nothing is overlooked. The safety guys are heroes. Friday night I had noticed that the other side of the coupe's radiator support had broken, like the one in Wyoming. I had talked to a group of guys that were part of the FORD racing camp the day before, and they offered anything that we may need in the way of equipment, so we looked them up on Saturday. The guys were more than nice and told us to bring the car over. Sure enough,a short while later and we were "tigged" up and strong as ever. Heroes. A FIRST RUN- I'm standing just feet away from a very nervous girl, young and pretty, and here protective father as they are about to make a run on a Triumph motorcycle. Its a heavily modified bike, purposely built for land speed records. This must be here first time on the salt. The father is frantically checking everything on the bike while the girl is zipping up her leathers and putting on her helmet. Nervous excitement as she looks out over the course. The officials are asking her questions and she quietly answers. The officials are trying to keep her calm as the bike is readied for its run. A portable starter is hooked up and the bike os on its rear stand. Its fired up and put into gear, only to stall out. The starter is pulled back out, and the long process begins again. This time the bike is fired and dropped off the stand, the bikes lurches forward, almost stalling again, but is caught at the last second, the salt is loose here and the bike wobbles away, zig zagging forwaard and picking up spped. full throttle would spin the rear tire, so the throttle is gradually introduced. She's getting the hang of it now. Everyone is watching. The bike straightens out and the sound of a vertical twin at full throttle, air shifted through the gears can be heard in the distance. How would you do under that kind of pressure? EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY- Did my expectations of Bonneville live up to the reality of being there? My expectations of the salt flats were pretty high. I mean, after all, anyone I have ever met that has been there, can't say enough about it. I have concluded that if hot rods are a religion, then Bonneville is the curch. No other place has the history that Bonneville has that I can think of. But that's just my opinion. You can decide for youself. MY CONCERNS- I have concerns, as I'm sure others do, about the future of Bonneville. Since it was my first year, I have no idea what it has been like, but I noticed that a corporate presence is looming in the distance. One of the things that I had always heard about the salt was that it was the last "pure" form of racing. So, why are there "Monster Energy DRink" booths and banners everywhere? Why is Boyd Coddington HQ, fully equipped with personal Helicopter and TV crew allowed in? What happened to Blue Bear????!!!! OK, seriously, Boyd is allowed to be wherever Boyd wants, even Bonneville. He probably deserves to be there more than some of us. But why not just be low-key about it? Do we need all that BS that goes with poularity? So what happens if suddenly, Bonneville is the "hip place" to go? We all know what happens then. Maybe I should quit writing and keep it to myself....? Stay tuned.. Spike
I agree... I see it looming as well. My first year the only sponsor I remember on a racer was the Royal Purple streamliner. I dont know the story behind that, but it might be someone high up in the company that is doing it just to promote the brand... or it could be a sponsor, who knows. But last year there were a few more sponsors... JCB Dieselmax... Chassis Engineering, GM... and I know I'm missing others. (although I can accept Chassis Engineering) Bonneville is still unique as virtually anyone has as realistic shot to build a car and compete and possibly set a record. That is what helps make Bonneville so special. I hope that never changes. Lord, keep Richard Childress and the like off of the salt. I hope it takes a long time for the wealthy to come and buy up all of the records. But its started already... If Bonneville were a song it would be the ballad of the little guy... I hope it doesnt turn into a David vs Goliath story.
Spike- It was nice meeting you and hanging out. A little beer is good for you once in awhile! Too bad you weren't around for my pics, maybe next time... On the commercialism of Bonneville--- I'm not much of an energy drink person BUT it was so hot on the starting line I was happy to have anything to drink besides the nearly boiling water I had carried up there. Did anyone else notice Monster was out of there after Sunday morning? The lady at the SCTA trailer told me they were supposed to hand out water after Monster left but no one was. For some reason I am pretty confident that the salt will remain the virgin that it is. So what if a few cars get some big money sponsors, good for them. I know I would be all for it on my tanker. I can't ever imagine the courses being lined with signs and I didn't see any airplanes with banners. As you mentioned above, Bonneville is like the "church" of the hot rod religion. Hopefully people will respect that church and keep their advertising out!
Spike I'm lovin the story, makes me feel like I was there...oh yeah I was. It was great meeting you after all this time. And that poor single mother you were giving money too needed it, she barely had any clothes to cover herself...poor thing. I now have a plaque on my dash that reads "Spike rode here" Cant wait to read the rest of the story.
Hahah. I think you have to have your famous sellout hubby pay for it before it counts! But you know, I saw on TV that more people have climbed Everest than have entered the 200 MPH club. So I think it makes sense that like 70% mor etranssexuals have summited than have gotten a red hat. I've only seen one. Is this an inside joke yet?
hi ,now i have found some discussion on Bonneville !maybe the locals could tell a bloke who wants to travel from Australia to the speedweek in 2008 .what he should do to arrange accomodation.We could either fly direct to Salt lake city and get a motel there, or fly to LAX and hire a car and drive to Wendover but my research is showing that Wendover is booked out already! can any of you fellas give any suggestions to what a bloke does for digs when he gets there????
In the past, rooms were available after Monday. You could possabily rent a motorhome in Salt Lake. I have done that. Be sure you get all the salt off of it when you take it back.
thanks richfox ,dont know if i want to stay for the whole week maybe the weekend and then do a bit of travelling so the motor home idea might work when are the best days in your opinion
yeh Mushmouth Im not adverse to camping but Id have to buy all new gear ....too far to bring it from OZ
Oh sorry for the confusion. I was asking because I'm interested in going too. Just wondering about campsite info.
hi mushmouth ,you talked about trying to get to the 08 speedweek ..are you doing the whole week ?or just a few days ???if the latter ,which seem to be the best days to go ?? I hear maybe the weekends !! let me know what you think.
This comming year the meet is going to start on Monday, so That would be thr best day to be there to see the most cars. maybe Sunday to lok around tech and the pits, visit with the racers when they are relaxed. Monday for watching runs, Tuesday to see the late commers and some record runs.
Spike, Nice write up , as I told you at the drags you need to put that hardcover out for all to enjoy forever. I'm sure a few of us would like a copy. I'd like to reserve mine now!!!!
That wasn't me. It was beer. Beer was shooting rockets at you. Glad we were able to straighten that misunderstanding out. Haven't seen beer since but I'll pass along the message. Spike
That was my favorite part of the story.... (although the single mom part was classic ). Screw it, life's too short, I'm going to 'bonne next year....
Spike-you've missed your calling!Novelist man,novelist-screw the pics,the mental images of all this is enough-shades of Joe Dirt!Awesome writing,makes everyone want to quit the job and high tail it to the salt!
I ask him every time I talk to him which is about once a month. Spike likes taking pictures and hates writing articles...you would never know his post here. I'm just busting his balls!
The Jalopy Journal
