Event Coverage Newbie goes to Bonneville, 2011. Yep, even more pix!

What an amazing event... and I hardly had a chance to "see" everything that was going on. At the invitation of an old Navy bud, I travelled with the Johnson clan from Hot Rod Haven in Albuquerque for my first time ever on the salt. They were helping run a customer's street / salt 1940-41-ish RPU with a small block and 3 Demons (time only). Perhaps by plan (?) we were pitted next to the Rolling Bones camp and Andrew Murray and some of the Bean Bandits came in later, ta boot. Here are some pix of their RPU and all the other's I found fascinating. My favorites were Murray's coupe (Indy / Salt Special?) and the Italian Gus Gus streamliner entry. LOVED the Rubber Chicken Racing team sticker art. Gary

 

Great post!!!!

 

More pix...

 

A few more...

 

Found some more... including HAMBer Rex's modified. Closing out with pix of the crew and a half-****d shot of a spinning car (looked like a 50's Stude). I saw two cars spin on the long track. Wow. Later, Gary

 

Gary (gnichols) - Nice pics! ... Thanks for sharing!

 

Was there last year and recognise some of the cars, it's a 'must-do' for any petrol-head!

 

That coupe with the fastback....WOW! any more info on it?

 

Nice group of photos, thanks

 

first thank you for showing some great cars and sharing with us. Second, i categorically dislike "track t noses". well i was wrong again (or still), the yellow A and copper oadster were outstanding!

 

Ya picked a great group to go with.
Jamie and the gang are the best.

 

Thanks, Great Pic's, I have to get there some year real soon!

 

Thank you!!

 

What does that Indy styled #1 have in it? I saw that car from afar but did not get to check it out up close.

 

Thanks for the great post, I will be there next month to get my fix.

 

Sorry I don't know much more than what was in the program - 302 SBC, Potvin front drive blower. The body is totally hand made. I saw Murray's "steetable" Indy roadster at Amelia Island this year and only spoke to him briefly about his new car at the race. There are a lot of Indy / oval track influences on the car. I heard the first run was in the 150mph area, + or - a few mphs. Gary

 

If you mean the Gus Gus Italian entry, the engine is an IRL chevy, 213 cu in. I understand the ****pit is carbon fiber, so it could be easy to ***ume it was also an IRL tub. The car looked very well done, lots of high tech stuff. The driver was named Fabio! A quick web search for Gus Gus pretty much leaves me with the impression the car is sponsored by a rock band of some sort from Iceland. Go figure. Gary

 

Thanks for posting - can't get enough of Bonneville pics.

 

Now you've done it Gary. You got salt in your blood. It never leaves. Bet this isn't your last trip!

 

Glad you guys liked the pix. Dean, you might be right. Now that I'm a crusty "two day" salty pro, I've only got one word of advice. Make sure you have wheels, like a pit scooter or ATV. They sure make the place accessible and that really helps you take in the entire scope of the event. A lot of sun block, a big hat and dark shades also help. Gary

 

My first time there, too. I heeded all of the advice I found on the HAMB to wear big hat, long sleeve shirts and long pants. I put sun screen on the bottom of my nose but did not do anything under my chin. Nobody mentioned that spot and I was too dumb to think of it. Only place that got burned but not painful.

Only other thing I can say is that transition sun gl***es ****! I had to visit the sungl*** guy and get some "just had cataract surgery" looking units to wear over my prescription gl***es.

 

Thanks! I am going to go there some day!!

 

thanks for the pix. i never get tired of seeing bonneville stuff.

 

Surprised to see the PPE. Did it run? Anyone know what speed?

Was it just "on the way" to the HAMB drags?

 

We left on Monday... hadn't seen it run, or thru tech. Gary

 

That black 17b car with yellow wheels and 37 Chevy hood is sooooo cool.

 

Nic (autobilly) -

The PPE was just on its way to the H.A.M.B. Drags ... on a trailer with Kiwi Kev's Willys and a chopped Deuce Tudor:


photo by Ray (vonshears) Gordon


There's more info in Toymaker's "Headed to the HAMB Drags?" thread:


click thumbnail to view thread

 

This thing turns me on. Very creative. Seems like it could be driven to just about any kind of track and perform respectfully.Coolest hot rod I've seen in a long time.......Thanks for taking the time to post these.

 

Glad you liked the pix and that great car. It sure was cool, and pretty much shop built (by a guy who really knows what he's doing). The great thing about about events like this is you don't see anyone running around poo-pooing billet parts, AN lines, radial tires, aerodynamics, EFI, fancy electronic gizmos, etc. It seems we can all coexist with a little aesthetic overlap after all, eh? Gary

 

Thanks for the pics Gary. Have you seen a '56-7 Corvette there running? It belongs to some locals.