A few questions for salt flat vets

Old Henry

Old Henry

Well-known member
My son and I are going to get the salt flats off of my bucket list next week. I've lived 3 hours from there all of my life and have never been. Wayno aka Elmo Rogde got me so excited with his belly tanker I've got to go see him run it. He also graciously referred me to this very recent thread on the LandRacing site for advice to spectators, which we'll be. http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,14019.0.html

That is all most excellent information but I have a couple more questions that info didn't address:

1. Exactly where is the primitive camping? All we need is a toilet to sit on. The info said at the "Bend in the Road, and another camp site just down the road for free." Is that the bend on this Google Earth image of the road that goes north from the freeway where it turns east to the raceway? Or somewhere else that can be identified on this image. And where is the other camp site "just down the road" that's free?

SaltFlats_zps040a987b.jpg


2. The information and what I learned from Wayno is that the pits are spread over a long distance up to three miles. I'm limited in the amount of walking I can do and wonder if we might ride bicycles around to get to places faster and easier or what else does anyone recommend to cover the long distances, if there are some? Of course, I'm assuming that everyone can't just drive their vehicle anywhere they want. If we can, question answered.

That's all for now. I may think of some more later.

Hope someone with experience can help.
 
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Henry, the camping is at the bend,this is the right hand turn on the left of your pic,Basic,for sure,I have seen it after rain and also a wind storm,not nice,the road that goes to the left of the right angle turn goes up into the hills a ways and at least you won't get flooded out there if it rains,
there is also a free camping area just as you enter town coming from the flats,pretty small area though,.
Re the pits,I see all manner of powered transportation getting around them,push bikes would be no worries.We bought a table and chairs and a big umblellor for shade and set up in the pis buy the edge of the track.
There are plenty of portable toilets at the flats,and we did notice that they were always clean.
NOW, I expect another detailed trip report ,and pics of Waynos record.
Lawrie
 
You won't be able to miss the 5000 RV's, tents, etc at the bend.
You can drive from the pits to the starting line(s), but not within the pits unless you have a pit pass. The pits area is quite large...bikes would help there.
 
Any other good movies/videos to watch about speed trials at Bonneville speed week other than "The World's Fastest Indian" and "Boys of Bonneville: Racing on a Ribbon of Salt"?
 
Hi Everyone, What does it take to get a pit pass?

Old Henry, here's some short videos from Discovery.
http://www.discovery.com/video-topics/cars-bikes/car-guide-videos/bonneville-salt-flats.htm

National Geographic
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/american-festivals-project/bonneville-speed-week

A nice photo collection including some Ab Jenkins.
http://m.deseretnews.com/top/1888/4...-racing-across-the-Bonneville-Salt-Flats.html

I also saw a reference to Independence Day with Will Smith, but that's not likely what you're asking about. I'm not coming up with much, so I suggest watching the Fastest Indian again, it's a great movie.
 
VeryTangled said:
Hi Everyone, What does it take to get a pit pass?
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the great links. I looked at them all.

My understanding is that a pit pass is only necessary to drive a motorized vehicle in the pit area. Pedestrians, including bicycles, can view the pits up close, just not drive there.

If this is wrong I hope someone will correct.
 
Just checked a couple of temperature forecasts for speed week. Daytime highs in the low 90's and nighttime lows in the 60's. Sounds great. Don't have to run the A/C at night.
 
There is 1 or 2 food vendors there. Best to come prepaired ie, sunscreen, water, food, shade etc. See you there ! We will be there in the 32. Stop & say hi!
 
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Go to the SCTA trailer and buy a cheapo pit pass.
Tell 'em you're with Wayno, car # 404.
Then, you can drive anywhere you like, but keep it down to 10 mph.
Also - very important for first timers... If you are wearing shorts, be damn sure to wear undergarments! The sun reflects off the salt and could make your trip miserable and memorable for all the wrong reasons!
 
zzlegend said:
Henry. I hope this does not ruin your plans.
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,14205.msg257693/topicseen.html#new
Click to expand...

Wow! Looks bad. I understand that this was this morning in the pit area. More water than is on the course but still some there too.

10535721_847646748581167_8065011085844451416_o_zps83275c37.jpg


156012_1483672375208106_5707662245802868366_n_zpsc78f8703.jpg


10583940_1483672391874771_680524338727584429_n_zpsad8636d9.jpg

Glad I'm only 3 hours from there so I can leave at the last minute if it clears up and not miss anything - a lot better position to be in than those from the east that are in suspense wondering whether or not to leave.

I guess we have to be careful what we pray for here in Utah, we might just get it. (Been praying for rain all summer to ease the drought. We've had rain up the wazoo the last week causing flooding and landslides after most of the summer with nothing.)

Thanks for the heads up.
 
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From Rhode Island!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uncle Max! i meet you in 2006 on the flats and i didn't wear undergarments while there and didn't have any PROBLEMS.
 
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