Bonneville Salt Flats

[Iceaxe]

Bored this weekend and looking for something new?

Bonneville Speedweek
August 13-19, 2011

I have invited dozens of folks from Bogley out for a day on the salt over the years and every single person had an awesome time. This is a realatively cheap (about the cost of a movie) and fun day for the entire family.

I'm always amazed that most the residents of Utah have no clue this is happening in their own backyard. Thousands of people come from all over the world to be on the salt for the week.

Here is my video from last year




From my own experience pack a cooler and snacks. Hanging around the starting line is where all the action is, that will be the large group of people and cars furthest south. The earlier in the week you go the better.... things are really hopping the first 4 days, after that things really die down as cars head home. There is also a big hot rod show Saturday night at the Nugget, which is free.

RADIO: The track PA system is also broadcast over AM 1610 so you can listen over your car radio or bring a portable radio.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR SPECTATORS

The Bonneville Speedway is located approximately 88 miles west of Salt Lake City, UT right off Interstate 80. Wendover is the closest town to the salt flats for accommodations, food, casinos & night life. The spectacular scenery and racing conditions at Bonneville make it one of the most popular areas in the world for speed.

Speed Week consists of seven days of racing in August and World Final is four days of racing in October.

ALL vehicles are allowed to run every day, weather and conditions permitting. There are no special days for motorcycles or cars, etc.

There is no camping ON the salt. EVERYONE must exit the salt at dusk.

Private campgrounds and hookups are available in nearby Wendover. Free camping on BLM land West of the salt near bend of the road.

You can purchase entry passes daily/weekly at the entrance to the salt.

Spectators are allowed to walk through the pits, view the vehicles, and talk to the drivers and crew members. Public parking is south of the pit area, on the west side of the race track, outside of the cones.

Be sure to bring a hat, and shade from the sun. If you intend to set up a 'semi-permanent' spectator area, you must secure a tarp as a floor covering on the salt. Don’t forget your camera and bring lots of film, because you will want to remember everything you see. Binoculars are also a great idea since the race vehicles are at least 1/4 mile away as they travel down the course.

There will be vendors located on the salt for food, refreshments, eyewear, sunscreen & much more.

Hotel and accommodation information is available through the Wendover Tourism and Convention Bureau, 1-775-664-3138 or Toll Free 1-866-299-2489.

Please pick up ALL of your trash and take it with you—everyday. There will be dumpsters provided near the pit area.

The colors, excitement, people and smells are some of the reasons we race addicts return to the salt, year after year. Better known as "Salt Fever." CATCH IT!



And here is my Smokin' hot wife on the salt!



And a couple more pictures just to get your interest up....





Damn.... I love the smell of methanol in the morning!

[BruteForce]

Can't make it, but I have wanted to take my truck out there to test out the +400HP I'm now making. Thanks for posting and sharing this info.

[nelsonccc]

I wish I was closer. It would be a total blast. My dad used to take me out there when I was younger.

[tmartenst]

Is there any way to get down the track at all so you can get good photos of the machines coming at you? Even if it is from a distance off the side. Zoom lens style.

[Iceaxe]

Yes, you can view from anywhere along the track from start to finish (but back at a distance). The pictures of the crashes in the video above were all shot from the spectator area. Spectators are also welcome in the pits, in the staging area, and on the starting line. The event is very spectator friendly. I just came home after three days on the salt and will probably be heading out again for a day or two. The event runs through Friday but earlier in the week is normally better as more cars and bikes run. There were over 500 cars and motorcycles already thru tech and scheduled to attempt records.

I'll get some pictures up soon as I get everything unloaded and down loaded.

FWIW: Speed Demon in the video above went 430-something mph today and will being attempting to back the record up Monday morning (To set a record you have to make two runs that are averaged together).