Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => SpeedWeek 2019 => Topic started by: typo41 on May 17, 2019, 02:06:20 PM
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I took a look at the Salt Flat Camera and it looks like the salt is not wet, or at least no viseable standing water
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PAID UP AND ROOMS BOOKED
:cheers:
ted
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Entry paid, hotel booked. Just got to finish the car. Lol
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Rain forecast for the next seven days.
Sid.
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A friend went by a couple days ago and it was plenty wet at the end of the road.
Wayno
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Repeat – "It's May!"
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Repeat – "It's May!"
Yep! :cheers:
Sid.
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Entry paid, hotel booked. Just got to finish the car. Lol
yep and like they said.... it's already May :|
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Yep its May Thankfully. We now have one car running as of today now to finish the second So glad theres still months left before we head West. :cheers:
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Ronnie Roadster, second car?
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where can i find the link to the camera?
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http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/ (http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/)
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This is the video of the previous day.
http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/bflat_cam_yesterday.mp4 (http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/bflat_cam_yesterday.mp4)
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really pretty when calm
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I'm curious....
how deep do they usually flood it?
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I'm curious....
how deep do they usually flood it?
First question is who is they? Mother Nature does the vast majority of the flooding with rain and snow melt. This year is huge for flooding, I just saw on the news this is the second wettest spring in Utah recorded history. A very very very small amount of flooding is done by Intrepid Chemical in an "attempt" to put back some of the NaCl that has been extracted over the last 7 decades. I do wish that flooding was more of a factor than it is. But again the biggest factor is Mother Nature and wind. The deepest I can remember is in the 2'-2.5' area at the end of the road.
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"They" don't flood it. Rain does. Usually a few inches.
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interesting.
I always thought that intrepid flooded it with their brine and had control of the depth.
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The weather guesser says sunny days are here
🎉🎉😁
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interesting.
I always thought that intrepid flooded it with their brine and had control of the depth.
You are correct, there is a pumping program where they flood it to remove the salt. If that had already happened before this Oregon weather pattern decided to hang out here for the last two weeks, they will get a second shot at more salt.
Sid.
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Sid, being a tax evading Oregonian living in Washington I take humbrige to Your accusations . I have contacted a friend (who happens to be a Umatilla Indian) and He said He would be happy to do a "big time" snow dance and have it dumped in Your driveway. I am seeking donations to cover the cost of Beer, possible bail, and if all else fails...delivery of a truck load of snow to your address. Please... cash only.
"One Run", out............................................................
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He won't come down here when he learns I live in Bannock county, they ate his ancestors. :evil:
Sid.
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interesting.
I always thought that intrepid flooded it with their brine and had control of the depth.
You are correct, there is a pumping program where they flood it to remove the salt. If that had already happened before this Oregon weather pattern decided to hang out here for the last two weeks, they will get a second shot at more salt.
Sid.
I was under the impression that the pumping is to return salt to the surface. I seem to remember kots of times the salt was under water before the salt pumping started.
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Sid, I think the Mormon Tribe shot em' first... :-P :-P :-P :roll:
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interesting.
I always thought that intrepid flooded it with their brine and had control of the depth.
You are correct, there is a pumping program where they flood it to remove the salt. If that had already happened before this Oregon weather pattern decided to hang out here for the last two weeks, they will get a second shot at more salt.
Sid.
I was under the impression that the pumping is to return salt to the surface. I seem to remember kots of times the salt was under water before the salt pumping started.
That was the premise behind the pumping program when it first got started Rich but not the reality unfortunately. The salt has continued to leave the north side of the freeway(Bonneville) & go to the south side (Potash Mine), it's called slurry mining & the pumping has allowed them to better control that process to their advantage. The rain water & or pump water goes in there, dilutes the salt then it goes down the drains & via the return pumps back to the plant.
If there were no drains or return pumps out of the flats, the brine water being pumped back in could stay there to evaporate & build crust thickness but that's not happening.
Again, this is called SLURRY MINING. :dhorse:
Sid.
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Slurry Mining.... strip mining.... same thing :cry: :dhorse:
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interesting.
I always thought that intrepid flooded it with their brine and had control of the depth.
You are correct, there is a pumping program where they flood it to remove the salt. If that had already happened before this Oregon weather pattern decided to hang out here for the last two weeks, they will get a second shot at more salt.
Sid.
I was under the impression that the pumping is to return salt to the surface. I seem to remember lots of times the salt was under water before the salt pumping started.
So you are saying that the salt pumping is resulting in a net loss of salt on the race surface?
That was the premise behind the pumping program when it first got started Rich but not the reality unfortunately. The salt has continued to leave the north side of the freeway(Bonneville) & go to the south side (Potash Mine), it's called slurry mining & the pumping has allowed them to better control that process to their advantage. The rain water & or pump water goes in there, dilutes the salt then it goes down the drains & via the return pumps back to the plant.
If there were no drains or return pumps out of the flats, the brine water being pumped back in could stay there to evaporate & build crust thickness but that's not happening.
Again, this is called SLURRY MINING. :dhorse:
Sid.
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So you are saying that the salt pumping is resulting in a net loss of salt on the race surface? Greater than what was occurring before the salt pumping.
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Yep,
no amount of pumping onto the salt will help in the long term unless it evaporates and deposits salt
Compared to Lk Gairdiner i could not believe how fast the water disappeared at Bonneville after a rain or a winter
days compared to weeks here
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A report from a friend in Wendover suggests the amount of water on the track now is just about the same as this time last year. And we had good salt last year as we all know. Too many factors in play year to year. Sure it would be nice if all we saw was smooth dry thick salt year after year but that's not gonna happen of course.
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A report from a friend in Wendover suggests the amount of water on the track now is just about the same as this time last year. And we had good salt last year as we all know. Too many factors in play year to year. Sure it would be nice if all we saw was smooth dry thick salt year after year but that's not gonna happen of course.
It's my understanding Intrepid (Mining company) pulled the plug on it in early May last year. My guess is that they have done the same this year & this recent long wet weather spell we've had is the second flooding & they will be monitoring it closely to find the best saturation point before pulling the plug again & firing up the pumps.
Last year was smooth due to the unusual weather conditions with a lack of wind during the drying process.
The wind is what creates the pools of water as the level gets low & that sloshing water creates the ridges that dry first becoming what we call crunchies. When the course is dragged it knocks them down exposing the dirt base.
If you have a God, pray for no wind & while you're at it maybe a big-a$$ lightning strike in the appropriate place! :mrgreen:
Sid.
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FWIW, I heard that Intrepid was on a two-month shutdown. Any confirmation of that? What does that imply?
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A plant shut-down just involves their processing equipment, it doesn't change anything in the field as the salt is drained & pumped to their settling ponds. After the salt has dried over a long time frame, it's then trucked to the plant for processing.
Sid.
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Does anyone know what happened to the camera?? all I get is a black screen with a date and time stamp.
Mike Bourg
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Yeah, looks like it has been that way for a couple of days.
I thought something was wrong with my devise not loading.
Rob Freyvogel
#496
AA/BFS
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I think somebody didn't like what it was showing and put a bag over it...….. :roll:
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That is a night shot, the timing must be off. Watch the video instead.
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At what date do we start getting concerned that it is still under water?
Rob Freyvogel
#496
AA/BFS
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August 10th? :? :?
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I was in Wendover for a concert on Friday and I don't ever remember the wind blowing that hard. My guess is the camera is now in Wells.
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So the camera had been offline, presumably due to the wind. working now. Still under water...... :-(
Has been barely warm out there, let alone hot. No rain (at the airport) for several days at least though...
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On the west bound side of I-80 before the rest/viewing area, the dyke wall comes all the way to the freeway with a gap at the end. That's where it will be plugged off until they decide it's saturated enough to drain it off. This cloudy cool weather we're having is favoring their cause.
About ten miles east of there their big-a$$ canal runs under I-80 that is fed by the Bigger-A$$ pump system down towards Floating Mountain.
When you're on the road there stop & check them out so you have a better understanding of how it all works.
If the UHP turns up, you are having a tire problem & stopped to cool it down. :roll:
Sid.
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Where is the best place besides here, (website, forum, FB page) to get updates about the condition of the salt?
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Finally, salt is appearing!!!
http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/bflat_cam_yesterday.mp4
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Yah but the wind during the night moved it around so doesn't look as good a yesterday. But total is down so getting there.
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It's really useless to worry about it now. Get interested late in July.
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Actually it is useless to worry about it at all... the weather will be what it is and so will the salt.
Of course we all want it to be dry and smooth... maybe it will be... let you know in August :cheers:
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Yep! Worrying doesn't achieve anything. You've probably heard the line "no worries Mate!".
Sid.
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It's really useless to worry about it now. Get interested late in July.
Actually it is useless to worry about it at all... the weather will be what it is and so will the salt.
Of course we all want it to be dry and smooth... maybe it will be... let you know in August :cheers:
Yep! Worrying doesn't achieve anything. You've probably heard the line "no worries Mate!".
Sid.
All very true, especially when dealing with Mother Nature. :cheers:
Tom G.
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While it doesn't help improve the course, I watch the 24-hour time lapse video of the salt every day. Today is the first time it hasn't been a lake. I'm guessing that Intrepid started pumping? Its not dry, but its improving.
http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/
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Just to be awkward, i'm worrying loads, as i have to crate my bike up here in the UK and commit to $4000 of shipping/customs/freight/certification costs in the next few days, so would love to hear some more positive views on salt drying out, weather forecast for next 10 days seems low 30's and no rain, so that should help.
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There is no crystal ball Mate, it's just too early to predict.
If the level has gone down, that means the mining company finally pulled the plug.
The weather conditions we're having are cooler that normal with more rain that normal & windier than normal. I am about 100 miles downrange from Bonneville & receive basically the same weather conditions.
Sid.
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Bottom line = we can't beat Mother Nature. We should offer her praise and tribute for her knowledge and power. It's out of our hands.
It's all up to her, so we are best served by doing the remaining prep work and heading for Wendover at the allotted time.
See you all in Wendover!
Steve.
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There's a local Potash Gang that run the hood & they're paying off the BLM Cartel. The dictators don't care because the trail of money coming from the Cartel is too good. Mother Nature is doing the best she can but can't keep up any more & is slowly losing another child to history. :cry:
Sid.
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Neander, Keep in mind that there is a large gated, secure, indoor/outdoor storage facility located in West Wendover which I have stored My Race Car and Trailer at in the past. John and Rose (?) are great people and will help You if needed.
Perhaps You could look into a open date return on shipping as there hopefully will be at least three following meets.
"One Run" Bob, out................................................
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Looks real dry now,,,, and it's July,,, time start the set-up. The calendar is at the printer!
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When does an exploratory committee from the SCTA head out to the salt? Well, and when does dragging the salt usually begin?
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3 weeks until go time and pure silence. Its deafening. Rumor has it that the courses haven't been laid out yet???
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You guys worry too much. the salt was under water just about 2 weeks ago... Hard to lay out a course.
The SCTA will be on the salt THIS weekend prepping for the event. :cheers:
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Team MG "EH" - Dam we are excited , now just need to finish up the car and the 1500 mile drive and we are there
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Ken Kloth says it's still a bit sticky! :-o
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will be there Friday through Monday my brother in law and my self been going for the last 10 years just to spectate we fly out sad get rental car and don't have all the luxury of an easy up and what not, need to find another spectator that would not mind sharing some shade for a few days
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Ken Kloth says it's still a bit sticky! :-o
Oof that makes me cringe for the truck, that it on there like white on rice!
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Rooms booked, entry paid...car wrenched stem to stern, fresh oil and filter in, spares packed and even fired the beast and terrorized the neighbors with a first gear runup! Now I need to start all that detailed stuff like packing up all the right equipment...and wondering what I'll inevitably forget no matter how long I ponder on that darn list! :dhorse:
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Thanks Woody, the gray tinted salt with popcorn on it tells a lot of the current condition
Another week will make a huge difference
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Hope to see you there Woody!
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Do we have any status on if the dragging the salt has been done yet??
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Dave, my understanding was they are arriving today.
Wayno
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need to find another spectator that would not mind sharing some shade for a few days
Happy to share shade of our RV. Can't be too specific, were in a Utah RV, wife and lad, from UK, will arrive Sat for 3 nights, fridge will be stocked to the brim.
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If you need to be in the shade almost everyone is help full. Maybe even something to drink. A friendly bunch of racers. If you have a sun stroke and need medical help they could hold racing. Watch yourself and enjoy
John
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On Facebook the crew is on the salt. They are saying there will be 4 tracks, 1 and 2 are still mushy in places so they won't drag them until right before speed week. They are dragging 3 and 4 this weekend.
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I've spent a day or two hassling with -- the zippers on my leathers. I think this emoji is correct for the moment: :dhorse: I feel like that's what I've been doing. Who woulda thunk the salt would farkle with the brass zipper teeth so much?
I ended up soaking the stuck parts overnight in Dawn dish soap and doing some wrist-busting tugging this morning, but at least I can move the zips now. Oiling them will be next.
And maybe this time I'll do a good job of cleaning them before putting them away for the season.
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Here in Tucson , AZ. with the mineralized water , we soak metal faucet nozzles in vinegar to clean .. STEVE
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USA Fluid is a Speed Week sponsor. Would that work on your zippers, Jon?
http://saltproofing.com/Bonneville/ (http://saltproofing.com/Bonneville/)
(http://saltproofing.com/IndexImages/SaltproofingCom.jpg)
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Great idea, Justin. I didn't think of it, but I know I've got some in the garage. I'll give it a try later. Thanks.
Thanks, Fready, for the stuff.
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I've spent a day or two hassling with -- the zippers on my leathers. I think this emoji is correct for the moment: :dhorse: I feel like that's what I've been doing. Who woulda thunk the salt would farkle with the brass zipper teeth so much?
I ended up soaking the stuck parts overnight in Dawn dish soap and doing some wrist-busting tugging this morning, but at least I can move the zips now. Oiling them will be next.
And maybe this time I'll do a good job of cleaning them before putting them away for the season.
Crayons work well for me. Also good for snacking :)
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I've tried rubbing a chunk of paraffin on the zipper teeth but with poor results, mostly. The crayon would be a softer wax - might be better. I'll try some 3-in-1 oil next.
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Back in the day I used Bee's Wax to maintain easier zipper operation on camping gear with good results.
Ed
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I stopped at the local shoe repair shop and he replaced one boot zipper - the other was okay. For the other sticky zippers he suggested a trick he learned at his Greek daddy's knee: Super Glue, he says. I put it on pretty thick, he told me, and then real quick slide the zipper back and forth a few times to distribute the stuff before it dries.
Done right, he promised, it'll dry to a slippery permanent coating. I tried it and so far it hasn't loosened up much but I'll keep trying. I have to quit typing now and get a bigger pair of pliers - getting hard to pull the zipper for some reason. :?
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Probably works great -- to get return customers.
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I use Mopar zipper lube on my Jeep top zippers. It goes on liquid and dries to a slippery invisible coating. It doesn?t attract dust. Get at the Jeep dealer, Quadratec, or Amazon. Works good on the Jeep.
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I've never heard of it, but I suppose it's worth a try. I wonder if there's a Jeep dealer anywhere around here? Thanks.
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TascaParts.com
The money you pay for shipping is probably the same as the dealer mark-up.
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Try Silicon release agent. You can get it from auto parts places.
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So, we have been talking about zippers for an entire page now... :dhorse:
How about we talk about Bonneville again??? :cheers:
(http://meso1.chpc.utah.edu/station_cameras/bflat_cam/bflat_cam_current.jpg)
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Why would we talk about Bonneville? It doesn't appear there's anything to worry or complain about. :-D :-D :-D
Pete
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^^^ This guys got jokes! :-P :cheers:
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From what I read on the SCTA Facebook page, it looks like there's only going to be three courses: #3 & 4 in the normal location, and a single long course, with the starting line moved back (like at the Shootout) near the freeway. Hopefully, the long course staging lines will move quickly!
Jeff in Boise
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From the SCTA website.
Tom G.
SW Pre-Trip ? Update #2
In the interest of safety first, plus wanting to provide the best racing surface possible, we have instituted a plan B. That is to move forward with one long course plus Courses 3 & 4. The Salt is still growing & drying rapidly, making grooming of Courses 1 & 2 almost impossible. Rough areas about the 4 mile on both courses are probably not going to be fixable at this time. So we have decided to use the a course parallel to the "International Course". That will allow us to move the starting line back about 1 1/2 miles, giving us nearly 5 miles of good Salt plus plenty of shutdown area. We sincerely believe that is the best option to keep racers safe & still provide a fast track.Courses 3 & 4 are groomed & after a light touch up when we return, they're race ready!Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow!
Thanks!
Pat McDowellBNI ChairmanBill LattinSCTA President& Your SCTA Drag Team
SW Pre-Trip ? Update #3
We have finished our work for this trip. We did some dragging on our new course & it has really helped. When we return for Speedweek will continue on that course & light touch up on Courses 3 & 4. The water at land?s end is almost gone and the Salt continues to change every day, but it's changing in our favor right now. So be nice to Mother Nature, we need her help!
We'll see you all on the Salt!
Pat McDowellBNI ChairmanBill LattinSCTA President& Your SCTA Drag Team
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How long are courses #3 and 4?
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3 miles. Course 4 is setaside for rookie runs and driver license upgrades.
DW
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Wait a minute we are talking about Bonneville again. :-D