Watching vehicles cross the finish line (long course)

[tallguy]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed . . . this is a BIG question for me:

Will it be permissible this year for spectators to drive out of the
pit area, and head "downcourse" (outside the "barrier fence),
and park near the finish line (at the end of the measured mile),
outside the "barrier fence" of course ?

I did this last year.  It was very important for me.  Saw Speed Demon,
the fastest vehicle of the meet, go 384.  It had gone faster on an
earlier day.

If I drive all the way to Bonneville this year and am not allowed to watch
vehicles cross the finish line, I'll be sorely disappointed and may decide
never to go again.

Thank you for any information anyone can provide.  Even a reference to
a source of the answer would help.

tallguy (in Northern California)

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Hey, tll fella.  Don't count on being able to park adjacent to the 5 mile (end of the powered part of #1 long course).  If you could see it to your satisfaction last year -- well, maybe again this year.  But elsewhere on this Forum I see that someone noted that there might not be any spectators allowed beyond the end of the pits.  I'll mention, though, that I was told the pits will be about 1 1/2 miles long this year.  It's pretty common for the pit entrance by registration/inspection/impound is directly across from the timing tower - and that's about the 3 or 3 1/2.  Go a mile down course from there - to the proposed end of the pits - and there you'd be at about the 5.

No promises and only hearsay.  That's all I've got for you now.

[Stan Back]

"If I drive all the way to Bonneville this year and am not allowed to watch
vehicles cross the finish line, I'll be sorely disappointed and may decide
never to go again."

Well, since this is surely a spectator sport, we'll pass that threat on to the powers that be.

[tauruck]

Stan, you're tough.

I'll stan back in case I get Ko'd.

[GH]

He needs to build a vehicle and then he can see the 5 mile marker real close. That is after he goes 175 in the 2-1/4 on the short course.

[Bob Drury]

  Dang it, there goes the crowd count!
  Sounds like a great place to be nabbed by the BLM Mounties or worse yet by a race vehicle full of smoke with very little peripheral vision (no names shall be used here but I also took out the finish line clocks) due to all the safety gear we now wear (I ain't bitchin, honest)!
                                                                                            One Run, out.......................

[Freud]

I'd take the name of anyone that made threats like that and

use the usual suppression methods on the ungrateful whelp.

This is a perfect situation to apply Political Correctness.

If it rains maybe G O D is punishing him?

FREUD

[ratpatrol66]

they had every body that was past the 5 mile marker just outside of the pits move back into the pits last year. Bunch of people were pissed off so I called the wa-wa-wambulance.

[Texican]

Sir!!
Your post is really dumber than a box of worms in my back yard.
  I don't know if you majored in  physics or basket weaving, but I would point out that these folks (SCTA) have no doubt figured out all the angles on what can possibly go wrong with 5000 HP in a nitro fueled unit with possibly a stuck throttle.

Just ask Tom Burkland; if that can be classed as a "BIG EYED MOMENT".
  He's easy to find; no doubt working tech, about 6' 3", 270ish#, white straw cowboy hat, gunfighter mustache, and a smile from here to Jerico.

I'll bet, that since this outfit goes back to 1949. they may have been around before you were a dirty thought in your old man's mind.  

However... if your need for speed is not satisfied by 400+ mph in stream-liners, or the 300+ runs from the 911 roadster you can always retreat to the boring circle burners.

Decorum prevents me from venting further.

Regards,
Big Tall Jim..
Be content to observe from the 5 mile, if that is allowed.

I used to carry an 8' ladder, and sitting on the top, with a really good pair of binoculars, observed quite a bit.

[ratpatrol66]

Dear Texican, Could you be more specific as to whos post is dumber than a box of worms in your back yard. Thanks

[Texican]

Well,
 I guess I was referring to the tall gentleman who suggested that if SCTA didn't want to do it his way, he just might not come back.

THas all...

[Dr Goggles]

I came all the way from southern Australia, I'd sure be happy if the event is on, and I can see cars and talk to people.

[wheelrdealer]

Tall:

I never under estimate the audacity of the general public.

There are NO guarantees at Bonneville, period.

If I were you I would reconsider my position (attitude). Most of us that race there and have a lot of time and money invested are happy to still be allowed to race on that sacred ground. What with all the regulations, insurance issues and red tape I am amazed that we all still have the opportunity to race on public land. The SCTA has a monumental task of operating the Speedweek event keeping the venue in top shape, inspecting cars to race safe, operating and enforcing courses regulations on FOUR courses simultaneously, managing spectators, traffic, timing operations, pit activity, impound activity, staging lanes, helping racers/crews all with VOLUNTEERS...let me repeat that VOLUNTEERS. When spectators or racers exhibit an attitude such as yours it hurts all of us. NO ONE from SCTA, BNI, BLM, or Volunteers owes you anything. Racing and Spectating at Bonneville is a privilege and a privilege we guard jealously. So perhaps you should consider more than you selfish need to sit at the five mile mark or my I suggest you stay home.

my 2 cents

BR

[RichFox]

I'll buy that.

[lsrjunkie]

X2, or three, or whatever we're up to now.