Poll

Have you heard of "The Bonneville club"

yes
18 (26.9%)
no
49 (73.1%)

Total Members Voted: 67

Author Topic: Have all you racer heard about "The Bonneville Club", coming soon to Wendover!  (Read 23712 times)

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Offline edinlr

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I heard that the sizes will be 60' x 5' for liners & trailers, 40' x 8' for cars, and 7' x 3' for the bikes.  Showers, forget it, we use porta potties on the salt.  Really, I have trouble thinking about how this concept would get financed, I can only imagine explaining to a banker "yes it will be used one week a year, unless it is raining....the other 51 weeks might be a bit slow".
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Offline sockjohn

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Maybe I am not understanding this correctly, but this is basically just shop space, albeit very nice well equipped shop space.  Wonder how that would affect the ability to get financing.  The 26 units isn't that many when you look at how many teams are on the salt at Speedweek, which makes me wonder if they already have land to expand if it's successful.




It's kinda like the GOB's clubs.   :-D

Kidding, I'm sure Mike would love you to partake.......    8-)

Actually, Michael, they had me at "Bar".

I love the idea, but geez, I've got to question the viability.  Even with condo fees, membership fees and conference center fees, can the rest of the facility's incomes keep it viable?

On the other hand, I've thought of buying a duplex in Wendover - much to Kate's chagrin - so maybe it's not so far fetched.

I guess there was nothing in Talladega until they built Talladega . . .

I looked into this, and never saw anything I felt like I had to have.   I wondered if a well managed vacation rental would cash flow well enough to justify it even without using it, but not sure the inventory and consumer desire for that type of a rental lined up.

Offline Nortonist 592

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All it needs is an 18 hole golf course.  The Bonneville Land Speed Country Club.  Whatever it will be it will be way out of my meager reach.
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Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Well, here's how it might make sense to buy in on one - provided they will permit subleasing or short term rentals.

26 teams equals about 5% of the racers who attend Speedweek.  Demographically, that's probably about the slice that could afford a facility of this nature.  

Most of those teams wouldn't attend the Motorcycle event, so there's the possibility of a short term rental by the owners to bike teams.

About half of the big guns don't attend World of Speed, so if you own one of the spaces, you've got an opportunity to rent it out for another week.

You're a little better than an hour from Miller Motorsports Park.  A team wanting to do some prep work away from prying eyes might be a short term tenant, and they do a lot of events at Miller.

As to the bar, that would have to be a seasonal item - I don't see it making sense with the casinos up the street.

Facilities rentals for outside interests - well, as an AV guy trying to break into locked up concessions in a backwater like Milwaukee, I'm pretty certain the hotels have what little of that there is in Wendover well handled.  Why would you even try to rent out a business conference room when the hotels would likely include it with a package?

Other than LSR, Golf and Gambling, the only thing Wendover offers of any value is a truck stop and a damned good CARQUEST.  Unless you're operating a steam train and need potable water, it's not a destination for anything else.

Mike, please know I'm not slagging your town, and perhaps there are more economic forces involved than I'm aware of.

I think a better bet - at least for racers - would be to buy the truckstop at exit 4, clean it up, buy a Love's or Pilot  franchise, and build secure rental/storage/shop facilities there.

On the other hand, I've been accused of not dreaming big enough.

I hope it happens, I hope it works, I hope they make money, and I hope it doesn't fall into a state of mismanaged disrepair similar to the Bonneville Inn after 5 years.
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline Tman

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Funny and Ironic, we just wanted to build a campground there! :roll:

Offline crawford

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hmmm interesting comments, but Wendover has been asked by countless people if there was land to build a garge or some where to lease, now you have that and more. Wendover is sell them the land and backing the concept with open arms. Hope it works and if it does how cool would it be, very cool! Remember this isnt for everyone, but then again maybe it is.........
Current Mayor of Wendover Utah, and life long race fan. owns Wendover Carquest auto-parts.

Offline 55chevr

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There are a few teams that race on the salt flats that have the resources necessary to participate in the Club.   Hope that there is a sufficient number to support the venture.


Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Hope it works and if it does how cool would it be, very cool! Remember this isnt for everyone, but then again maybe it is.........


Mike, I do too, but I suspect it's the "and more" aspect that some see as the question mark.

A lot of us race on a shoestring budget, and there is a contingency of racers that think renting a private porta-potty for their pit is extravagant.

If I'm understanding the concept correctly, this is going to be shop condominiums with nominal recreation facilities and small business suites available to the condo owners?  It would be fair to assume management fees and upkeep charges beyond the initial purchase.

I think as a business model, looking down the road, this could be either a spring board or a white elephant.

As a white elephant, I see "For Sale or Lease" signs, overgrown weeds, RV storage and bent security fences.

As a spring board, it could provide a base of operation for aggressive racers to use the facility as both a garage and as a guest facility for sponsors and their dollars, close to the salt, and away from the distractions of the casinos.  

The pity would be if it was built and failed. 
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline crawford

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The project is moving forward at a nice pace, the land has been surveyed and the purchase agreement is being work over by lawyers! And yes you guys need some where to put your stuff, but think of the airport only four minutes away from your club! So look on the bright side your wife will never know how much stuff you have!!!!!!!
Current Mayor of Wendover Utah, and life long race fan. owns Wendover Carquest auto-parts.

Offline Kansas Bad Man

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I have found that a hand shake is as good as a agreement drawn up by a couple of LAWYERS. AND IT IS A HELLOFALOT CHEAPER. :-D :cheers: :cheers:

Online Seldom Seen Slim

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Mike, if you've already told us -- I apologise for forgetting.  If not -- just where will the Club be in Wendover?  Near the air base?  On the parcel of land inside the interstate exit, where the museum is going?  Across the interstate and up in the hills?

Thanks.
Jon E. Wennerberg
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Offline crawford

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Ok the location for the "Bonneville club"is just across from the musuem site on Bonneville way. It is a great location and the current area is just desert. But we have all the water mains and sewer lines running right next to the property. Its pretty much a done deal with the land and wendover is not the developer, but their plan has been aproved by the city. So just think how cool it would be to host your race team in a real Bonneville inspired area, with all the perks of being a member. I mayself am not involved in the money end but interest is heating up and for those that wait it could be to late!!!!
Current Mayor of Wendover Utah, and life long race fan. owns Wendover Carquest auto-parts.

Offline desotoman

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I myself am not involved in the money end but interest is heating up and for those that wait it could be to late!!!!


Mike,

I have been asked by a couple of people to get them information on this new building project. I called the number listed on the picture in the brochure and it is disconnected. I found their website but it is only one page and Zero contact information.

I guess I don't understand is how things can be heating up if one cannot contact the person or people involved in the project with the information that has been supplied?

If you could help with the contact information for this project that would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Tom G.
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Offline Richard 2

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Here is the web-site. hope they are quicker at building shops etc.. than they are at building Web-Sites
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Offline zzcruzin

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What desotoman said.  :?