Landracing Forum

Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => 2017 and before: SW & WF => SpeedWeek 2015 => Topic started by: desperate on February 15, 2015, 08:00:36 AM

Title: Overseas competitors?
Post by: desperate on February 15, 2015, 08:00:36 AM
The Brit's are coming back. Even after the disappointment of last year, where we never even got our bikes out of the vans, which was a bit of a pain for my team as we were going to sleep in ours on the "Bend". Ended up getting ripped off by a motel owner who raised his prices from $40 to $175 a night because it was Speed Week, even though everyone was going home!
Can't wait, my Indian Scout is now supercharged, & the whole team has some pretty good machines, we're shipping over a 40ft container full of them. "Salt Fever" is a horrible disease, it empties your wallet & makes you live in your garage for every spare second.
Anyone else coming from overseas?
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: kiwi belly tank on February 15, 2015, 10:08:57 AM
Salt Fever is a terminal disease, it even makes people change countries but you WILL eventually die with it.  :dhorse:
This really is sick! :-)
  Sid.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Speed Limit 1000 on February 15, 2015, 02:21:40 PM
I think it is twisted, if you are sick, someone might cure you
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Dr Goggles on February 15, 2015, 02:29:20 PM
The Brit's are coming back. Even after the disappointment of last year, where we never even got our bikes out of the vans, which was a bit of a pain for my team as we were going to sleep in ours on the "Bend". Ended up getting ripped off by a motel owner who raised his prices from $40 to $175 a night because it was Speed Week, even though everyone was going home!
Can't wait, my Indian Scout is now supercharged, & the whole team has some pretty good machines, we're shipping over a 40ft container full of them. "Salt Fever" is a horrible disease, it empties your wallet & makes you live in your garage for every spare second.
Anyone else coming from overseas?

We were there too, just maintaining the average that at least a third of the salt meets I go to are cancelled. Won't be able to get back there this year, will be busy working on the tank, incurable.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Stainless1 on February 15, 2015, 10:02:03 PM
I think it is twisted, if you are sick, someone might cure you

We all know there is no cure... just treatment... speed and salt are short term, but like most treatments it takes more and more the older you get.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: firemanjim on February 16, 2015, 02:39:25 PM
Suspect we will have the usual assortment of Aussies that seem to accumulate at my place heading over.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: paso54 on February 16, 2015, 03:01:09 PM
Just Paid my BNI membership with Jo Ann at the SCTA office one more step on our way  :cheers:  :-D

In the Container with Desperate 8-)
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: CharlieR on February 17, 2015, 04:23:36 AM
Nuggets booked again.
Think I can remember the way from the shippers in LA to Wendover via Vegas.
Just waiting on the charge cooler coming from BigCC then it is a bit of set-up time on the dyno and will be good to go.
Also in the container with Desperate, Mex John, Steve French & Dave Branch and Paso.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Stan Back on February 17, 2015, 11:45:03 AM
"Also in the container with Desperate, Mex John, Steve French & Dave Branch and Paso."

Make sure you guys take enuf food and water -- and check the vents.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: paso54 on February 17, 2015, 12:07:56 PM
Its the only way to Travel Stan  :-D   :cheers:
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: bearingburner on February 17, 2015, 01:51:46 PM
You might want to think about a couple of covered pails. Long way to hold it.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Kiwi Paul on February 19, 2015, 12:31:28 AM
Fellas.....How many of you are involved in shipping your bikes over this year? I am asking as my wife`s favourite  niece`s husband (now follow that one ) is a huge Rudge fanatic, and is building one to bring over and run. He lives in Dublin (and yes, my wife is Irish.....) and I would be keen to get him going with you guys as I am sure it would be cheaper to do it the way you guys are. If anyone would care to shoot me some Emails on a PM, I`ll forward them and see if I can get you together.....
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on February 19, 2015, 09:34:12 AM
I understand the Project 64 Mini out of New Zealand is planning to return this year.

I think they just pack it up in the overhead on the flight . . .
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: lsrjunkie on February 19, 2015, 09:41:20 AM
I've been following these fellas for some time.

https://www.facebook.com/AAALandSpeedRacing

They should be here from Australia in August. Really cool little bike, and a great bunch of guys.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: maj on February 19, 2015, 05:29:41 PM
Yep i think there joining our container , looks like 4 or so bikes from Aussie
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Texican on February 19, 2015, 05:46:23 PM
The Brit's are coming back. Even after the disappointment of last year, where we never even got our bikes out of the vans, which was a bit of a pain for my team as we were going to sleep in ours on the "Bend". Ended up getting ripped off by a motel owner who raised his prices from $40 to $175 a night because it was Speed Week, even though everyone was going home!
Can't wait, my Indian Scout is now supercharged, & the whole team has some pretty good machines, we're shipping over a 40ft container full of them. "Salt Fever" is a horrible disease, it empties your wallet & makes you live in your garage for every spare second.
Anyone else coming from overseas?
  You might ask Jon if there is a problem with you calling the bounder out by name. If enough people read about this person, they might find their self with about a 15% occupancy.
Good Luck!
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: fordboy628 on February 20, 2015, 09:29:51 AM
I understand the Project 64 Mini out of New Zealand is planning to return this year.

I think they just pack it up in the overhead on the flight . . .

Does it require that much space?
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Briz on February 22, 2015, 10:59:09 AM
We'll be along again this year too sharing container space.
I think all accomodation in Wendover triples (at least) in price for speed week, doesn't it?
We were slow off the mark this time booking the Nugget and missed it. Booked the Montego across the street instead. Is that the most costly Wendover hotel? :roll:
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on March 06, 2015, 08:07:12 AM
Make sure there are some St George or Union Jacks flying so we can drop by the Brits pits.  This is our 3rd visit over for Speed Week as spectators so if we don't bump into anyone on the start line we'll have a wander round the pits.  Hope you all have a safe trip!
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: wobblywalrus on March 06, 2015, 11:13:04 PM
We are going the other way.  The bike is on the water and should be in London on 1 April or thereabouts. 
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on March 06, 2015, 11:33:01 PM
Phil, I won't be racing this year, but I'll be there in a V8 powered Frogeye Sprite with a bad paint job and a case of Old Speckled Hen in the boot.

We'll warm one up for you.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on March 07, 2015, 01:10:31 PM
Phil, I won't be racing this year, but I'll be there in a V8 powered Frogeye Sprite with a bad paint job and a case of Old Speckled Hen in the boot.

We'll warm one up for you.  :cheers:
Beautiful, on both counts! Saw a Frogeye up close for the first time last year at Le Mans, such character. And with Speckled Hen warming nicely it's even better.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: desperate on May 06, 2015, 09:06:52 AM
Make sure there are some St George or Union Jacks flying so we can drop by the Brits pits.  This is our 3rd visit over for Speed Week as spectators so if we don't bump into anyone on the start line we'll have a wander round the pits.  Hope you all have a safe trip!
There should be plenty of Union Jacks flying, we have a 40ft container full of bikes, make sure you drop in & say hello!
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: desperate on May 06, 2015, 09:08:27 AM
The Brit's are coming back. Even after the disappointment of last year, where we never even got our bikes out of the vans, which was a bit of a pain for my team as we were going to sleep in ours on the "Bend". Ended up getting ripped off by a motel owner who raised his prices from $40 to $175 a night because it was Speed Week, even though everyone was going home!
Can't wait, my Indian Scout is now supercharged, & the whole team has some pretty good machines, we're shipping over a 40ft container full of them. "Salt Fever" is a horrible disease, it empties your wallet & makes you live in your garage for every spare second.
Anyone else coming from overseas?
  You might ask Jon if there is a problem with you calling the bounder out by name. If enough people read about this person, they might find their self with about a 15% occupancy.
Good Luck!
Bonneville Motel
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: maj on May 06, 2015, 05:55:31 PM
Are you guys allowing any extra shipping time because of the port strike backlog ?
i have had 2 reports, one said a month extra another 2-6 weeks
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: sabat on May 06, 2015, 07:37:58 PM
Are you guys allowing any extra shipping time because of the port strike backlog ?
i have had 2 reports, one said a month extra another 2-6 weeks


I need to remember this during my 2100 mile drive - it could be much worse. Good luck Greg :)
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: mbuk on May 08, 2015, 08:47:24 AM
We are shipping the bikes to New York and then by rail to Los Angeles to get round the strike.

Andrew
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: jww36 on May 12, 2015, 03:17:22 PM
If any of you overseas competitors need space to organize or store bikes from arrival in LA until Wendover departure, let me know. Have a metal fab shop in Costa Mesa, CA, about 30 minutes South of LA.
John Weatherwax
Cutting Edge Metal Specialties
Costa Mesa, CA
USA
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on July 06, 2015, 12:17:25 PM
Bit of a shot in the dark here.  While at the Isle of Man TT this year we visited the new Motor Museum they have in Jurby and saw the Manx Gas bike which I think ran over at Bonneville in 2012, this was parked in the window with a couple of other bikes.  One in particular got me and Lennie staring trying to work out just what on earth it was.  A volunteer wandered over and explained that it was a steam bike which was supposed to be going over to Bonneville this year.  Does anyone know anything about this?  I can't attach any pictures as they are all too big unfortunately.  The thing that stuck in my mind was that the lad explained "it sounds like an earthquake" so would love to see this wonder of engineering on the move.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: wobblywalrus on July 06, 2015, 07:37:26 PM
Microsoft Office has a program with the option to resize pictures.  It is easy to use and trims them down to workable size.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: manta22 on July 06, 2015, 07:40:32 PM
I use a free image viewer that can also re-size photos and crop them. It is called "irfanview"; http://www.irfanview.com/

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: tauruck on July 06, 2015, 08:20:02 PM
Right click on photo and open with Microsoft Office Picture Manager.
Click on "picture" at the top toolbar and choose compress.
Click on "documents" on the right side and save.
Done!. :-D
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on July 07, 2015, 09:32:44 AM
Thanks for the advice, managed to compress in Office.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on July 07, 2015, 09:42:59 AM
Last 2 pics
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: sabat on July 07, 2015, 12:43:37 PM
Bit of a shot in the dark here.  While at the Isle of Man TT this year we visited the new Motor Museum they have in Jurby and saw the Manx Gas bike which I think ran over at Bonneville in 2012, this was parked in the window with a couple of other bikes.  One in particular got me and Lennie staring trying to work out just what on earth it was.  A volunteer wandered over and explained that it was a steam bike which was supposed to be going over to Bonneville this year.  Does anyone know anything about this?  I can't attach any pictures as they are all too big unfortunately.  The thing that stuck in my mind was that the lad explained "it sounds like an earthquake" so would love to see this wonder of engineering on the move.

Very interesting - thanks for posting. Crazy looking Pro Street Hayabusa chassis with a twin shock rear end. I wonder how much horsepower a steam engine of that size could generate?
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: wobblywalrus on July 07, 2015, 08:46:56 PM
Phil, do you have a picture of the "boiler room?"

How does container shipping costs to Bonneville compare to what I paid to ship between Swansea, Wales and Salem, Oregon?  It was GBP 1,814 over and GBP 1,485 back. 
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on July 08, 2015, 04:09:00 AM
Hi, sorry, I only saw the bike which was in a museum on the Isle of Man, I'm not involved with the bike or actually involved in any form of LSR.  I'm just a spectator who has an understanding wife who lets me include Speed Week on our holiday road trips.  I did send a fella an email on Facebook last night who I think is involved with the build just to try and find out if it's going to Bonneville.  If you search for Keltruck and steam bike there are clips of the thing running and various opics on Flickr.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: desperate on July 08, 2015, 10:02:50 AM
Phil, do you have a picture of the "boiler room?"

How does container shipping costs to Bonneville compare to what I paid to ship between Swansea, Wales and Salem, Oregon?  It was GBP 1,814 over and GBP 1,485 back. 
We're taking 10 bikes over this year, in a 40ft container. Going by sea, of course. Shipping to the USA cost us @ £640 each, shipping back could be cheaper. We're shipping from London to Los Angeles. Are your prices for Air Freight? We also have tons of equipment in the container, everything from starter rollers to Gazebo's & umbrellas  :-D We're some of the lads that appeared in the BBC's "Speed Dreams".
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: wobblywalrus on July 09, 2015, 12:12:03 AM
My price is for ship travel.  I did discuss shipping from London to LA and it would have cost less.  That GBP 640 is a good price. 
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on July 10, 2015, 04:58:51 PM
Thought I'd put this in here as he is officially an overseas competitor. Saw that Guy Martin is planning on riding the Triumph Rocket at Bonneville this year. I hope this is SW but not sure as not found out yet.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: fredvance on July 10, 2015, 05:46:26 PM
Who is Guy Martin? I think they are planning on gunning the Bub meet.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: dresda on July 11, 2015, 07:20:32 PM
Who is Guy Martin.. :-o
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: 4-barrel Mike on July 11, 2015, 07:34:59 PM
https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation (https://www.facebook.com/SCTASouthernCaliforniaTimingAssociation)

Scroll down a little.

Mike
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Phil Bennett on July 13, 2015, 04:44:19 AM
Thanks for the link.  Shame we won't get to see him when we're over for SW.  We'll just have to wait for the documentary to be aired later in the year. 
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: mrdodge on July 13, 2015, 06:09:32 AM
Harris Family Racing are back this year from NZ running their 32 B/Gas Roadster #397. (Actually, the car never left from last year. Just waiting, waiting, waiting.......)
Unfortunately after last years washout, a period without work & a new job (woohoo), the money pot is empty so I'll be working while the racing is happening. Will there be live audio streaming ?
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Seldom Seen Slim on July 13, 2015, 08:32:42 AM
SCTA will be streaming the audio from SpeedWeek -- and so, I hope, will landracing.com
.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Frenchinjection on July 20, 2015, 04:43:34 PM
Our bikes have arrived in LA, most of us arrive on the 3rd.  Speed week is off and There does not seem anywhere we can run the bikes so who in California and the surrounding area wants to meet up and party with 20+ English men and women.  We don't drink much and we are usually in bed by 11, the next day:-)

Serious though.    For most of us this is a holiday, and an expensive one.  We need to do something.  Idea's please if you are up for a serious bit of bench racing, drinking, hanging out or just cluttering up your workshop with people.

Steve #775B

PS, I organised this.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Bob Drury on July 20, 2015, 05:14:49 PM
  Steve, although it might not be Your particular "cup of tea", and depending on where you actually set foot in the U.S. you might check The websites for The AMA, World of Outlaw (Sprint Cars), Sports Car, Stock Car (Nascar) or Drag Racing for Races in the Area.
  The Goodguy's Sreet Rod event in Pleasanton, California (East of San Fransisco) occurs about the same time, and depending on where you are you can jump on Bus Tours of National Parks such as Yellowstone which is a couple of hundred miles north of SLC or Rent a couple of Van's and head South to The Moab area (Where Sum(ner) Patterson one of our Bville competitors has been known to rescue  folks in need (No Soccer Hooligans though).
  Keep in mind that as long as you respect the fact that  We kicked your Acura in 1776 and also that its not thought of as polite to spit out Cold Beer over on this side of the Atlantic, Where ever you go, ask the first Biker who doesn't have a Crescent Wrench chained to his Nose, or any Hot Rodder what's Happening in the area.
  Do not plan on Staying in Wendover for more than two days max.  Other than the Enola Gay Museum, There ain't much else to do and the slot machines favor the house.
                                                                                          Bob  (Hey, I'll bet Stainless would love for the whole group to stay at His House if your in Kansas) :evil: :evil: :cheers:
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Frenchinjection on July 20, 2015, 05:25:41 PM
Bob, I am working late into the night for alternatives.  Wendover is not even on the radar.  So far, we have Sturgis, short flight there and back, or long road trip.  Iv'e been to SF many years ago, but it needs doing again so this is a good chance.  I'm also looking at flight changes to change our flight from DFW to ONT ca to DFW to New Orleans.   So many ideas, need to make my mind up soon.  Nearest NHRA is Vancover, last year I checked for alternatives but to depressed to even bother so we went home early.  This year, we have to make a holiday.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: BasementBorn on July 20, 2015, 05:59:15 PM
If you end up near Portland Oregon you could check out the World of Speed Museum http://www.worldofspeed.org/ . Portland International Raceway http://portlandraceway.com/ is pretty close too. It looks like NHRA may be at Pacific Raceway outside of Seattle at that time too http://pacificraceways.com/nhra/event-tickets/ .
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: JamesJ on July 20, 2015, 06:32:32 PM
As mentioned earlier the Good Guys meet in Pleasanton, CA is pretty cool. They do a trip everyday during the week leading up to the weekend.  Shop tours, museum tours, personal collections, other car shows, car clubs etc...  We did it about 13 years ago, lots of fun. 

Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: Milwaukee Midget on July 20, 2015, 09:52:45 PM
Steve - I was just wondering aloud to myself.

If your party were willing to leave the bikes behind for next year, might the World of Speed museum be interested in a display that would include the bikes brought over?

They'd be under the watchful eye of the museum's security, stanchioned off from the crowd, and save you the cost of returning them - yet again.

I see Triumph sponsors the bike end of it.

The obvious downside would be inability to further develop the bikes.

Just a thought.
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: wobblywalrus on July 20, 2015, 10:10:59 PM
There is room for one bike over the winter in my shed.  It will be safe.  A golden retriever is in charge of security.  We are in Salem and this is 45 minutes from Portland. 
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: wobblywalrus on July 21, 2015, 12:52:36 AM
On your laptop, check out the McMinimin's Edgefield.  It is a poorhouse converted to a hotel just east of Portland.  Also, try McMinimin's Hotel Oregon in McMinnville.  My favorite is the McMiniman's Crystal Ballroom in the Pearl District in Portland.  They have pubs in all of their lodging places and also have enough room for you all.  There is all sorts of things to do in and around Portland.  It is a real nice city. 
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: 4-barrel Mike on July 21, 2015, 01:51:10 AM
Respectfully, http://www.mcmenamins.com/ (http://www.mcmenamins.com/) (what's a couple of vowels among friends?)

 :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Mike
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: blackslax on July 21, 2015, 06:05:59 AM
We at the LTA are sorry to hear about SpeedWeek and have a ton of calls from racers looking for a place to run. 
The answer is yes, we will fit racers in this weekend that head east.
All of the Brits can also ship their bikes over for our fall event.  Between British Cycle Supply that now has a warehouse 500 yards from the track and us, we probably have the capacity to store about 1,000 bikes.

All the best and hope to see some more weary travelers in a few days

Tim & Joe
Title: Re: Overseas competitors?
Post by: triumphrpm on July 21, 2015, 12:13:34 PM
Bob, I am working late into the night for alternatives.  Wendover is not even on the radar.  So far, we have Sturgis, short flight there and back, or long road trip.  Iv'e been to SF many years ago, but it needs doing again so this is a good chance.  I'm also looking at flight changes to change our flight from DFW to ONT ca to DFW to New Orleans.   So many ideas, need to make my mind up soon.  Nearest NHRA is Vancover, last year I checked for alternatives but to depressed to even bother so we went home early.  This year, we have to make a holiday.

Since we are not going to Speedweek now and you stop by DFW you can come hang out with us for a weekend. Big Brit bike community here that would make sure you have fun.
my email keith@bigdcycle.com