I was able to get a room at Montego Bay a couple weeks ago and just looked and they still have some availability. You have to go on their website (wendoverfun.com) and select the hotel (the same company has 3 casinos in wendover), then packages, then speedweek (they have the week blocked out from their normal system, it's the picture of a yellow studebaker). The rooms are expensive and they also require a non-refundable "deposit" of 100% of the room cost (ouch). If you're unable to find anything more reasonable the inflated prices they charge may be better than the daily commute. My Dad and I are going this year and neither of us have been there before. A friend from the car club we're in is trying to go 200mph (personal goal, record is much higher) in a 1941 Studebaker, last year he hit 198 so we're hopeful this will be his year.
Subscribed, and yes going is on the "do before I die" list... Out of a job this summer so far, so maybe this year is it!
I went in 2007 just to spectate with some great friends and hot rods..all the way from Pennsylvania.. I have been dying to go back and do it again. Go once and you're hooked. Spike
I've met 2 people in the Spfld. who have competed. One is a record holder don't know the cl*** 53 Stude, twin turbo big block. It is on my list for next year if all possible to go.
I'm going out this year for the first time. After 30 years of fuel racing I want to check out the salt. JC
Inprimer's post number 19 should be required reading for first timers. That is pretty good information. I'd add in taking a good pair of sungl***es along with the big hat and long sleeves. If is just yourself or you and one other person I'd suggest taking a big beach umbrella and using it to sit under to spectate rather than a pop up canopy. As you want to be able to fold it down when you go looking around. make a base for it to take along so you can just set it up next to the folding chair and be done with it. Also they don't want you driving things into the salt crust so no tent spikes or other things that get driven or screwed into the salt. I can't visualize "leaving the ground tarp to save the spot". There are plenty of good spots and a guy usually likes to view from different spots anyhow. A bit of time out where they hit top speed and time close to the starting line. The truck stop most likely still has showers for a few bucks for those camping without a shower. They also serve a pretty good breakfast but you might miss the real early record runs by eating first.
Actually it is recommended that you screw, nail, lag bolt your EZ Up and tarps down. Even during the day a gust can come up and remove these big sails.
If you want something a little less primitive than the "Bend in the Road", you can pull your camper into the KOA campgrounds in Wendover, but you'll miss the comRODory of the Bend. Also, I've had my tent ransacked at the KOA so lock up. For all you people who say, "It's on my bucket list", or "Got to make it out there someday", GET OFF YOUR ****. Yeah the cars are cool, but it's the people that really leave the impressions. I missed Al Teague's last trip out there by a year because I waited. I've shot the bull with Boyd Coddington. You wont get that chance again. Bill Burke can be found out there still, and Troy Trepaniere often comes out with George Poteet, If you keep your eyes and ears open you'll be amazed at the legends that you'll run into. I try to get as many as I can to sign my bike. Don't talk about it... DO IT. the first thing any first timer says when they step on the salt for the first time is, "Why did I wait so long?"
I am in the process planning a last minute trip to Bonneville. My 11 year old son and I have the same week off before we go back to school and are going to make the trip. I just can't seem to find out the cost for a spectator p***. I can wing the gas, sleep at the bend in the road, and eat dirt if I have to, I just need to know that I have enough to get in when we get there. Thanks in advance.
Spectator p***es are (I think) $15 a day or $40 for the week. We're racing, camping at the Bend in a 32 year old RV, and living on $1 tv dinners for the week. And wouldn't miss it for the world!
Thanks for the quick reply. We are going to leave next Friday after my son gets out of summer school and I get my clinical paperwork turned in. Depending how many miles I can handle we will be there Saturday late or Sunday morning. It is my first time there so all of these threads have been a great source of information. Great end of summer father son road trip I thought.
921B will be there again. Look us up in the pits... all are welcome to sit in the shade and have a cold drink or something to eat. We will have a green 2 axle trailer and banners flying from our Pop-ups. Look for the HAMB OFC banner, or Potter's Clay Racing or the black Tejas Malcontents banner, that would be us. Come visit and sign a banner with us.
The Jalopy Journal
