What's New Column11/01/08: At the meeting last night, the BNI board voted to change the SW 2009 dates to Aug 8 - 14, with inspections starting on Aug. 7th. We regret having to do this since some folks have already made reservations, however the major hotels in Wendover have notified us they had a considerable gambling income loss during Speedweek 2008 and credit this loss to the attempt they made to accommodate the Speedweek attendees. They have stated that they can no longer afford to curtail their "Special programs" during Speedweek. While we encouraged folks to "Stay out until Sunday" during SW 2008, it seems the town (and hotels) were still full or racers and fans anyway. Since "Weekend rooms" are the problem, it was felt that by adjusting the dates to encompass only one weekend, it will make it a little easier on the racers to find rooms. Roy Creel
Even harder when you had to pack up a race car and all the stuff, head home, and load another race car to go to the drags. I liked the old schedule again. John
just made 2009 Speed Week reservations at the Econolodge-Wendover, Utah for Aug7 - $74.95, Aug 8-9-$134.95 a night, Aug10-13 - $249.95 a night. A true study of supply and demand, I stopped going to some of the larger car events because my pockets are not deep enough to meet motel prices. Looks like 2010 Speed Week will fall in the same category.
additional thoughts about the Speed Week motel/casino room situation. My reservations are at the Econolodge, not a casino, and in Utah not Nevada. So they do not have any type of gambling loss. And how about the $249.95 A NIGHT during the week!! And Econolodge informed me that, if, I stay 1 night or 7 nights, I will be billed for a seven night stay. The Econolodge Utah normal week day room rate is $39.95 a night, weekend room rate is $59.95 a night. The Rainbow, Peppermill and Montego Bay casinos have week day room rate of $45.00 to $65.00 a night and weekend rate of $80.00 to $130.00 a night. Any body that has reservations at any one of these casinos, let us know what your room rate is during Speed Week. I am curious. Now, that SCTA or BNI are rearranging dates out of consideration for the casinos and motels in Wendover because of "weekend gambling losses" and are hoping to ease the "weekend" lodging crush, it looks like the casinos and motels may be taking advantage of Speed Week participants and attendees. Do you think, they are trying to tell us that we are not as welcome as the gamblers? The sign should be changed to "Welcome to BENDOVER" !!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW- I just called to confirm my reservations at THE 6 and was told they've had another MGMNT. change so if you're booked already ya might just call and confirm with the new dates.
Yes unfortunately. Spoke with Sandy who is the "interim" person but says she doesn't know who will be named the new Mgr. Elizabeth left on her own accord as I gather.
Curt R, Just a thought, but for what you will be paying at the Econolodge, you can get a suite with a jacuzzi at the casino's. Also, the Econolodge will bill your credit card in advance AKA: the next week or so. Oh yea, and learn from my mistake.......Never, I repeat NEVER confirm a Motel room with a "debit card". If you call and cancel it and they still bill you and send the charge thru, it is impossible to get the charge reversed. That happed a couple of years back with the Super 8 in Wells. Chris
sodbuster, I hear ya about the casinos. I tried three of them, today, no luck. I put the Econolodge on Visa. I cancelled a one night stay in Salt Lake City, four days before my scheduled stay. They billed me as a "no show", I called them, gave them the cancellation number and date. A month later, the charge was still on my Visa, I called Visa, they got me the refund. I appreciate the info.
OK Kids. We Called the Motel6 this morning at 6:00am pst.,and the gal got us squared away on reservation changes. BUT, She did mention that some people could possibly get screwed. So PLEASE!, wherever you are stayin, Check in NOW! to make sure your good. These date changes are a huge deal. Cover your ass. See ya on the SaltB
That is what my bank told me, put it on a credit card and we can reverse it....but, with a debit card the coin is long gone......I think that I was ticked off the rest of the vacation and the wife wanted to know why we did not put it on the credit card......oh well, lesson learned. Chris
Paid $75 at the rainbow for all the days Sunday night thru thursday nite. Looks like I might have to stay in Toole for 09 speed week. Stayed in SLC for 2007 speed week great rates but the 2 hour drive to the track (one way) gets old real fast. Thanks for the heads up on the date change.
Being the pessimist that I am, I always thought the date change for 08 was off target anyway, if they wanted to make a real change it would have started on wendsday and ran to tuesday, I mean if youre going to screw with tradition why go half assed ? The current dates are a good thing, however I just wish we could have thought about it sooner, I have told so many people the wrong date for 09 it makes me sick ! So we are back to the old "Speed Week" Long may it live !
Lets get this one part straight. The SCTA-BNI did not change the dates to appease the casinos. The casino owners claimed a gambling loss in excess of 2 million dollars and have stated that they do not care when the races are held. They will continue with their "special events" programs and business as usual. DW
It's a shame that SCTA-BNI (or somebody) couldn't set up a tent village for a reasonable nights cost at "bend in the road." Yeah; I know, a tall order. But unless MORE accommodation can be provided for Speed Week; the LACK of - read $$$ - might well be the undoing of this annual event. (I know my pockets are no longer deep enough)
This annual event isn't going away. In the begining there was almost no acomadation for racers or gamblers in Wendover. But the racers came anyway. Now lots of us come. If the going gets to rough for the car show guys the racers will still be there.
We slept 4 in a room this year which made it more affordable for everyone. Whatever it takes.......next year if that means 6 people in the room I'm fine with that as long as I get part of a bed and a hot shower
This sounds like rooms will be even harder to come by than they already are, which will probably mean even higher room rates.
I talked with a guy at the HAMB Drags who just came back from Bonneville '08. He said they slept in their econobox daily driver, took $5 showers at the truck stop, and still had the time of their lives. Probably spent more on food than everything else put together.
So, if the casinos don't care when the races are held and they will continue with their "special events" programs and will do business as usual, what difference does it make to shorten Speedweek or change the dates? It's casino business as usual, difficult to get rooms, as usual, regardless of the weekend. Where is the benefit to the racers? Rooms are still difficult to get. The only difference is now, if, they know you are coming for Speedweek, room rates are increased. Welcome to "BENDOVER"!!
The Jalopy Journal
