Event Coverage I wasn't planning on going to the Salt

Last year around this time I had the pleasure of hosting the Alter Boys at my place on their return trip from Bonneville. The whole crew was still starry eyed 3 days after they had left. I listened to their descriptions and saw the salt still on their cars. A plan was hatched to ride out with them in my coupe in 2010.

Fast forward to 2 months ago and I get a call from Jeff hiboy32. He is going this year. Seems his wife had stashed some coin and gave it to him for a Salt trip. I hadn't been budgeting for the trip, so I knew I was going to have to go with an economy style roadtrip. There was no way I could afford the $600+ in gas money to take the coupe.

I got a call from Troy Greezy while he was motoring across Ohio one evening and told him a plan was hatching. The wheels began to turn. We would camp at the bend, cook and eat campfire style. Essentially- we would just go, and let the chips fall where they may.

I had a 4 man tent, Troy bought us cots and sleeping bags. I would bring farm-fresh eggs in the cooler, we would stock up at the grocery store in Abilene.

Jeff calls me 2 days before departure- he munched the overdrive in his coupe. Now what? Talking to Chris 2muchstuff about it- he finds a decent deal on a trans w/ od on craigslist in Topeka where he works. He goes and buys it for Jeff over his lunch hour, and Troy picks it up on his way to Abilene.

Thursday I get out of work early- I can't concentrate anyway and I am worthless (well- more than usual). Troy is on his way. He pulls in around noon and we start packing the '40.





Now I want to say something about Troy's 1940 Ford coupe. This car is incredible. It is perfect. It rides so smooth. It looks so bad-ass, and it has the balls to back it up. I rode/drove in that hotrod for a week, and I would ride/drive it anywhere anytime. It rules all.

So- back to the adventure- Troy and I stopped and looked at another '40 in the weeds in Abilene, grabbed a choc malt at Kuntz and hit the grocery and stocked up on sandwich supplies. We left Abilene at 5:30pm and motored straight North to Seward Nebraska to Dallas HellRaiser's house to meet with Jeff and his son Donovan.

We got to Dallas' right at 8pm and Jeff rolled in around 9:30. Looking at what was involved to swap the trans Jeff decided he would do the trip without od, like he did down to LSRU in '07. We made some sandwiches and had a bite before heading out on I-80 at 11pm.




The weather was perfect for cruising. Here we are at our first fuel stop.




We made it to a rest area in North Platte NE at 3am and dozed until 6:30am. Then off we went.



Here is Jeff puttin' down some miles in western Nebraska:




Finally some different landscape:




View out the '40. No hood. (actually there is a hood- it is made from a spare wing section from Wonder Woman's jet)




We arrived in Salt Lake City late friday evening- and drove the final leg along the lake as the sun beat us to the horizon.




We arrived at the bend at 10pm and set up camp. The wind was blowing well over 30-40 mph and we had to tie the tent to the cars while we set it up. The rain fly snapped and jerked like a sail rounding Cape Horn. As soon as the tent was up- the wind died down and we ran over to the Nugget. There was some nice hotrods parked in front.




We hung out at the Nugget for awhile and then went back and crashed in the tent. We woke up and around 7 or so and headed out.



Here they are- two bad-ass hardcore hotrods on the Salt.



We walked around the pits and took it all in. Blown Ardun:



The weather on Saturday was perfect. Kinda cloudy and cooler. We got to hang out with the Old Crow Crew. Meeting those guys was one of my highlights, they rule.

I also got to meet Coby from Church. He really does have a chicken-shit camera he takes all those amazing pics with.

Around 5 or so we went back to the camp at the bend- I needed a nap. But not before we checked out the kick-ass renovated 1948 teardrop owned by HAMBer jguff.




Saturday eve we wandered back into town and hung out at the Nugget again. I sure was glad they got all my 80s cds in their cd changer so I could look at kick-ass hotrods and listen to Depeche Mode, Thomas Dolby, Men at Work, and La Cage a GooGoo. Troy and I hung out and chatted for awhile- then went to the Tiki Bar at the Bend until 1-2am. Drunken tomfoolery was the norm in that area, but I got to meet Brant JAWS and chat with him. But after being asked by some lost guy who was so drunk I don't know how he was standing (the human body is an incredible machine), if I wanted to get stabbed, we decided to call it a night.

Another aside: Camping at the Bend is the best. Yeah there is some drunken fools making noise, and the 2 stroke bikes buzzing around is annoying but it is still way cool to be right there on the salt. When we camped Fri eve it was dark when we got there- so we drove down and found the first open spot. It was right next to the road. Which turned out to be really cool. See, at around 5:15am, the racers start heading back to the Salt, and get out ON the salt at 6am. So the traffic starts to whizz by, picking up in frequency until you leave for the course yourself.

Sunrise on the Salt: You can't describe it. If you went to the Salt- and didn't get out there before the sun comes up, then you missed half of it man.




Jeff and I took his coupe out Sunday morning- we went through the gate at 5:55am and went to the Impound. Wow. The lighting is so unreal, the white salt amplifies the dim light eked from the sun still below the horizon. Everything is sharp and contrasted. The crunch underfoot has nothing to echo against. The bark and hum of race motors.

We stayed out there for a couple hours and then went back and we cooked breakfast at the camp. ham, eggs and cheddar. Thanks again Brant for letting us borrow the grill!

We then went back out and I just soaked it all in.

Good to finally see this New England car and the Maine Barons:



Bean Bandits (I think?):



I drooled all over this '64 Impala:





Here is the luckiest kid I know. I can't wait to read his "What I did over my summer vacation" essay:



Sunday eve we grilled some little sweatties with sourkraut with Brant. Then Abe and Mel stayed with us and they brought a campfire and chocolate cake.

Monday morning I called my boss and requested an extra day off. He was cool with it. Brant brought donuts out and we parked between the long and short start and watched.






So needless to say I was pretty giddy about having an extra day on the Salt.

 

Monday we took in as much as we could,







and went over and "helped out" with the Old Crow boys and tried not to get underfoot. I just wanted to be around somebody that was racing and could help if need be. Like using me as a windbreak or if something large needed to be moved, like when I drove Bobby's truck, a whole 3 feet.



It was exciting to be involved, even in such a small supportive capacity. To wait in line, trying to not be nervous, and getting in the last run of the day. They didn't break the record, but they didn't break anything, so I guess it was good.




Troy took us all to dinner at the buffet at the Nugget. Thanks Greezy!!! Then he and I hung out at the Nugget some til late bullshitting with ScaryLarry about his tranny swap, and CrazyBackYardBuilder about what he was driving to the Salt next year.

Tuesday morning we packed up, and Brant got stopped on the way out to the Salt for one last run to be photo'ed for an Aussie hotrod mag. I think it was the olds hubcaps that we snapped on that Dallas had given me in Seward haha.



Jeff got his coupe shot also.



The photographer wasn't interested in shooting Troy's car, I guess it was too nice.

Soon after we went back to the Old Crow pits and said our goodbyes and wished them luck. Thanks again guys!



Then it was off for the long trek home.

 

Of course it was sad to leave the Salt. But I know I will be back. And I was missing my girls. My wife had called me Monday afternoon, a very nasty t-storm had ripped through our area and knocked down powerpoles and trees, ( I swear the coupe was in the shop with the head off!). Even took out several miles of high-tension powerlines. Winds of 110 mph. Luckily no power for only 2 days.



The trip home was nice, no issues, just long. Here we stopped to take off Jeff's hood and stow it in the '40 support vehicle. Daniel's Pass elevation 7995 feet



The drive up from Orem Utah to route 40 to the Colorado border is amazing.



Fuel stop in Craig Colorado. Haliburton truck not shown to the left.



When we got near Steamboat Springs I took over and drove Jeff's coupe for awhile.



Rabbit Ears Pass elevation 9426 feet above sea level. It was a little steep for the '32 to climb it in 3rd, but it marched right up that hill in second gear, and it was a long climb. Hardcore is all I can say.

We ran several miles down the other side and stopped for some shut-eye just north of Kremmling Colorado. It got down to 31* at dawn. brrr.

We got rolling again at 7am and fueled in Kremmling and hopped on I-70 to Denver, where Mike barnfindT had breakfast waiting.



I showered and checked out Mike's many projects and even scored a little nap on the couch.



I got to drive Troy's '40 from Limon Co to Abilene. And as I said before- it is dreamy.

We got in to my place around 10pm wednesday eve. Unpacked the '40 support vehicle and Troy left for home. Jeff and Donovan stayed the night and we got him ready and off around noon.



I think that is cottage cheese on his roof.

The boys are all home now and wandering through the memories.

 

As others have said, it is surprisingly difficult to put into mere words the experience of going to Bonneville for Speed week the first time.

I consider myself a pretty spiritual person. When I went into the cathedral in Toledo Spain 20 years ago, it was a very moving experience. My time on the Salt was like that. There is a vibe, a chord, something, that connects you to timelessness.

Camping is a must, it's cheap and it is way fun being able to sit and have a "place" for the social aspect.

I do wish I could of had my coupe there- but I know I will someday. The important thing is to just go.

I spent about $250 on my share of gas in Troy's '40. We figure he drove about 3000 miles. So for my share about 17 cents a mile for the experience of a lifetime.

I spent about $250 on food and supplies and souveniers and admission, total.


For me, I had such a great time, hanging with my brothers on the Salt.

So count me in for next year. I plan on camping at the bend, and I will bring my wife and two daughters. It is just too incredible not to share and experience the Salt without those you love.

 

Can't see pic's 2,3 or 4 but glad you had a great time. Now it's time to get back to work on the coupe again!

 

Probably my favorite shot this year. I might desktop this one but I think the lights need to be blacked out to make it perfect. Love it!!!!

 

Cool story and pics. I hope to drive out next year.

 

you suck. troy sucks. jeff sucks. your dog sucks...

awesome pics and a kick ass story thus far. look forward to 2, 3 and 4

 

When I saw that picture I said "new desktop"!! Is there a larger version by chance?!?!

Excellent roadtrip coverage BTW.... one of these days I'll make it there....

 

Great story and pics! I saw Jeff's 5W all over the salt when I was there. You guys looked like you were having a blast.

 

You've got 11 months and 3 weeks to get the bugs worked out of your coupe, then we hit the road for Bonneville 2010. Like Greezy, I thought every other year was enough but I was wrong. My son is ready to go back (he went with me in '06) and he'll be old enough to help with the driving. Now to start building the '33....

 

Yeah, I'm with Fiddy. Maybe I'll tag along next year.

 

Great story Jay, It would be a lie to say I wasn't totally jealous !
Great cars, great company, you guys did it right. Gary

 

Great story Jay. We'll see what my accountant says, hopefully next year will be it.

 

sniff, sniff......man I miss you guys.

Jay, you captured it perfectly.


I hope poor Troy can cope with having too nice a ca', especially when they are a "dime a dozen"


I can't wait till 2010!

 

cool trip....glad to here i'm not the only one going out there on a budget!

 

Haha, that's funny. I think the lights are what make it great. Doesn't matter, it's a killer shot. Thanks for posting.

 

I still cant believe we did it. Also cant believe that it is over....

Where do I start?

Greezy and Nosurf, great traveling partners and killer support vehicle.

Donovan,my oldest son, asked to go from the moment that I said that I was going. I waited till two days before departure to accept his requests, I was unsure about "dragging" him along in my coupe for 2500 miles. I am soo glad that he was with me to experience this trip. He is already planning on nexxt year.

It is an experience. Try to get there in a hotrod (drive or ride), just go.

I cant thank everyone enough: chris 2muchstuff, thank you, dallas Hellraiser great hospitality, my wifefor kick starting this idea.

Jeff

 

I agree, kill the lights. I cant believe Jay almost got ran over laying in salt to get that shot. Thanks

 

"you suck. troy sucks. jeff sucks. your dog sucks..."

Uh, that's what I was thinking... I might add that I'm jealous.
I told my wife that I need to go next year.
She understands...
r

 

Great story loved the pis very cool,man I got to do this one day!!

 

JJ, you're my hero, but I'm going to have to go ahead and disagree.

This picture is totally awesome! I TOO will be making this my desktop! I like the lights on. It's sort of a reminder that "the early bird gets the worm".

 

Great story. If you made large prints of the " sunrise on the salt " picture Id buy it for my living room , that is a fantastic photo. Thanks

 

Best way to travel --by the seat of the pants -- !! Sounds like you cats had a large time !!! >>>>.

 

I'm with him!!

 

2010! let me know what time you're leaving abilene!

 

It's time for another poem from Jay.

 

That shot of sunrise on the salt is awesome man! I can't explain it but I honestly get emotional when I think of the many mornings I've spent watching the sun come up across the white horizon. The last few years of my fathers life we went to Bonneville every single one of them, and as sick as he got, he was ALIVE out there. Sunrise on the salt always reminds me of my father...I know once I get back there it will be like I never left, and I'll be that much closer to my old man once again. Thanks for the trip down memory lane bro...

 

This needs to be photoshopped in with that sunrise picture!

 

Lol...