Golf Cart rental for Speedweek

[ToyCollector]

Hello,

Tried searching here and via google for recommendations on how to rent a golf cart for Speedweek.  I am a media photographer flying in for the event and would ideally need a cart to schlep all my gear and get around the paddock/pits and have some shade cover.

Is there any place you recommend I contact?  My other struggle is I will also have a rental car so would need it delivered is my guess.  Does any sort of rental cart agency service the event like they do at some racetrack events?  From what I have found, rental car agencies (and I would assume cart rental places) are not fans of having their vehicles on the salt.

Sorry, newbie to Speedweek, but not a new newbie to shooting motorsports.

[dw230]

You could book a round of golf in West Wendover, rent a cart then sneak off the back nine and head for the salt.

Kidding aside, Wendover and the salt are still a bit backward, wild West and all that. I doubt you will find a cart rental available. You may try to hook up with a team that has carts and borrow one of theirs for a period of time. There are many suggestions on this site as to how to treat your rental car.

DW

[836dstr]

Toycollector,

I doubt there would be anything available in Wendover but you might check with the Chamber of Commerce or on-line yellow pages. There is a Golf Course that uses Electric Carts so there is probably an outfit that services them. If they would rent one and deliver & pick it up is another story. Dollars talk so for enough cash anything is possible.

The logistics might be a nightmare. Keeping an electric cart charged up for a week would be an issue unless you could hook up (pun intended) with one of the teams with a generator and correct cableing. The big problem is the vastness of the venue. The pits are 2 miles in length and at the East end are 4 to 5 miles from the starting line. Golf Carts are intended for short distances over 4 or 5 hours then get recharged.

The best option, if you can find one, would be to use a gas powered Cart so that charging would not be an issue.

Another possibility would be to get in contact with a team that will be on the Salt with a cart. A couple cases of beer and the promise of a photo shoot could do wonders.

Good luck,

Tom

[TwinSpin]

here is my 2 cents - -

Plan A -- I have a 2006 gas powered EZ-GO golf cart that I use at Speedweek. Sorry, it is not for rent. I paid $2,500 for it and had the rear seat installed that folds down into a flat utility surface like a pickup truck. So, it was a $3,000 package. You can stand up on the back platform and rest your elbows on the cart top roof and shoot some nice pictures. Then you can see over the crowds and cars too. Plus there is room up there for extra cameras and stuff as you shoot.

Consider what it would cost to rent one for a week, about $100 a day? If you purchased a used gas powered cart for say $2,500 and subtract the $700 estimated rental fee, then the cost would be about $1,800. Do you think you could sell the cart at the end of the week to a racing team for the $1,800. Then you would break even. You would have all week to advertize the sale of the cart.

Plan B -- When you rent a car, upgrade to a SUV that has a roof rack. On the salt, climb up on the roof to shoot those elevated pictures with a clear view. Put a rubber mat up there so you don't slip around. You probably would need the car, rather than a golf cart, to drive the miles between the starting line and the 4 or 5 mile markers for top speed views. While you drive to the next shoot location, you can enjoy that rented airconditioning.

Plan C -- Who knows, you might be able to find a gas cart for $2,000 and the rental for a week may be closer to $1,000. Then you would only have to sell it for a $1,000 and I think that would be a go for it.

The company I bought my golf cart from had a dealership in Salt Lake City, Boise and Portland. Just google used golf carts in SLC.

Bill

[Glen]

Remember there are restrictions as to where you can go to take pictures beyond the pit area. You may be required to get a press pass, and in some cases be escorted to some areas. You might need a good CB radio with a good antenna.I guess this means no hand helds. Talking with some of the professional photographers will give you some guidance.

[dw230]

Have you contacted JoAnn in the SCTA-BNI office for credentials and access/restrictions?

559-528-6279

DW

[Glen]

Next question is do you have a hotel room reserved?

[836dstr]

I like Twinspin's thinking with Plan A & C. The only problem is that you would need a trailer to get from SLC to the Flats.

Another option to Plan B would be to rent a small U-haul or Penske van and get up on top.

[landsendlynda]

Might be a good idea to check places out in Tooele (Too-will-uh), see if there are any places that will rent carts, cars, trucks, etc.  Also, the truck rental idea is excellent, Mike Crawford (Wendover Mayor) rents them so you could contact him and see what the possibilities are there.

If anyone needs something dropped off at Land's End, I can keep it there for you until you arrive, just let me know ahead of time.  I don't mind keeping it safe for you, but I'm not gonna pay if you break it or don't collect it!!!!    Just send me a message and I'll get back to you.

Remember, car rental places won't rent to you if you tell them you're coming to the salt, so don't wear anything related to racing!!  Location destinations like St. George, Zion National Park, or even Reno will work....gives you the miles needed for the week!

Lynda

[ToyCollector]

Wow, this is great, wasn't expecting so much response already.  I also happened to get a call today from a "regular" attendee and team entry who gave me some pointers too.

Yes, have hotel room and credentials...did that back in January.  Just rented an SUV and booked flight.  Now need to figure out schlepping photo gear with long lens....

I did think of the buying of a cart angle...I need one anyway, but kind of crazy buying one out there and shipping it back east to Atlanta where I live.  It is a potential though.

I guess I am uncertain how bothersome it is if I do get an SUV or something to use it around the pits.  I am used to walking 6-7 miles/day at road race events, so I don't mind walking, I just know how big an area Bonneville is, so wanted to explore the cart option and have something that has me out of the sun as much as possible.

I really appreciate it, and I will be available if anyone wants to do some shoots of their vehicles when I am out there.

-Mike Geng

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Mike:

One thing that might have been pointed out -- but I don't remember, is that you're not allowed to drive in the pits if you're not on a crew/have a pass to drive in 'em.  Keep that in mind.

Pits are about 1 1/4 miles long by 300 yards wide.  Start line is about 3 miles from the pits.  Spectator viewing beyond the pits is available -- but now you'll be about 5 miles from the start line.

See you on the salt.

[mtkawboy]

A side by side 4 wheeler with a pickup bed & a top might be a better option. I dont know, just a thought, maybe they rent them in Salt Lake

[Bob Drury]

  Plan F from Mars:            Bring a roll of duct tape from home
                                     pick up rental car
                                     stop at first store you see and buy:       
                                            cheap cooler
                                            gatorade, water, and ice
                                            sunscreen and chap stick
                                            saline nose spray
                                            straw hat (with chin strap is best)
                                            "good" garbage bag liners
                                    BEFORE YOU HIT THE SALT tape garbage bags over all carpeting, brake and
                                       gas pedals
                                    Buy two rolls of quarters at any Casino to wash top and BOTTOM of vehicle
                                       in Wendover.  drive back to SLC and repeat wash job and vacuming inside
                                    Call me one week before Speedweek and I will bring you my extra magnetic
                                        antenae, and c.b. radio and we can wire it up to the battery (with fuse)
                                        and you can lay it on the front seat to operate.
                                    I would think that you could get a pit pass with your credential's, or who
                                        know's, maybe some competitor might need another "crew person" and
                                        magicly provide a pit pass.............
     Dump the golf cart idea, p.m. me if you need help........................
                                                          Bob Drury
                                                          "Old Stud Racing"
                                                          #394

                                 

[gas pumper]

Pit passes for vehicles are available from the SCTA trailer. I needed one for the quad I brought with me for transportaion last year. The nice girl in the trailer asked what's the car number you are with and do you have $10?

It's that simple. And helps support the SCTA.

[LSR Mike]

Instead of taping down garbage bags, get the adhesive film from the paint aisle at home depot. painters and construction types apply it to carpet to keep it clean, then it just pulls up and voila! nice clean carpet!