After about 60 years I am finally going to the Bonneville salt flats. I plan to be there Sunday afternoon and Monday. Is that a good time to go? Wish I had my 1964 cobra kit car ready to go! I will just be a spectator
Sunday afternoon and Monday you miss a lot of the first weekend posers as they have already packed up and headed home after getting their requisite here's my car out on the salt photos and hung around the casino parking lot for three nights. You get to see some fast cars make good runs on the salt though. From what I am reading you can't get as close to the starting lines or the cars in line to run as you used to if I read the newer rules for spectators right. You can still get close enough if you have a good lens on your camera. This is where you want to dig out the camera and not just rely on your phone. Also dig out the old AM-FM portable radio and a CB radio if you still have one stick some new batteries in it to take along to listen to the tower and the announcer. That beats needing a jump because you ran the battery dead listening to the car radio. If you plan to take your own shade I suggest a beach umbrella and a home made base to stand it in. Then you can easily fold it up so the wind won't blow it around if you decide to go walk around a bit. Out at the 3 mile mark you can do the "here it comes, there it went" thing and use a long lens to get a shot of cars at speed.
I always kick around the idea of going but if I actually followed thru it would not only rain but there would be gale force wind as well. So I'll stay home so the weather will be perfect for those who do go.
Yuup the thought of being there for speed weeek has haunted me since I've been adult. I can say I've seen it several times off season, when hauling. You can't be sorry if you go, no matter.
Your post didn't say what event you're taking in, but assuming going to Speed Week, try to be there both Saturday and Sunday and take in the car show at the Nugget Friday and Saturday. Sunday afternoon and Monday you'll miss the best atmosphere with all the hot rods, but you'll still be able to have a great time.
Well, you won't see any race cars at the Nugget on Friday or Saturday. The real race cars will be out on the salt. Yes, there are a bunch of nice cars at the hotel's parking lot, even some older race cars, even one of mine a time or two, but all those are overshadowed by the wanna-bees. On another note-- yes you can see 95% of the race cars on the flats on Sunday (perhaps a few broke and went home Saturday). You can wander the pits, you can park along side of the track from the starting line to the 3-mile or so, you can walk the line of cars waiting to make their runs. The only restriction is getting in the way of the cars nearing the starting lines and their getting ready to run, perhaps 3 or 4 cars back. There's plenty to see. In over 50 years I never got to see it all at any meet. With good weather, there are 4 tracks being used at the same time. Don't think you'll see all the hundreds of entries in two days, but you'll have a good time.
@Stan Back pretty much summed it up. The racing goes on all week. I'd guess the motels are all sold out by now. Camping is free at the bend in the road. Bring good sunglasses and lots of sunscreen!
Here in Southern California, many people drive 90+ miles to their job and home back. So I often take the picturesque route back and forth from Ely to Wendover (thanx, Roy). 'Bout the same mileage, watch for wild horses, very little traffic, very high-speed limits (not in the only one-mile town you'll transit) a great steak house downtown along with sub-$100 room rates. Sometimes a car show in progress, too, or a farmer's market in the park (one year the legal house girls had a booth). Have to get up early, but worth it.
Not what I said. I said you can get to see the hot rods and car show, the race cars are a given if you're going for speed week. I didn't say only to go to the Nugget.
Makes sense to me but then I drove 85 miles each way to work for 5 years through LA traffic so the drive from Ely to Wendover sounds like a walk in the park.
Any time on the salt when the cars are running is a great time! You won't be disappointed. As mentioned, by Sunday/Monday all the first weekend "rush" is over, and those racers who are left will be doing what they're out there for. Focused on running fast! Hope you have fun!!
Thanks for the response . I actually did get a motel room yesterday in Wendover for the 5th of August
Well one thing no one mentioned to you. Once you get to see what's going on when your on the salt its going to be very addictive. See you on the salt Ronnieroadster
And get a pit pass and bring a bicycle. For me bicycles are the only way to go to wander through the pits because it is so spread out. Forget about walking. The car shows at the Nugget are primarily in the late afternoon and evening so a lot of the cars running will be done for the day anyway.
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