Social gathering -- if Speed Week gets rained out partway through the meet?

[tallguy]

Please forgive me if this message seems too long and boring.  It's important to me, and I'll explain why.

Since there are no cash prizes awarded in land speed racing, the competitors don't try to sabotage each other's attempts to
break an existing record.  On the contrary, they help each other -- which is a great, noble thing to do.

I have met some wonderful people in land speed racing, and not all of them are still alive.  I place great value in these
friendships, and in the lives of the people involved (not only racers, but their teams and families).  Not only that, but it
appears that many racers aren't all that young any more.  I don't know how much time we have left to hang out and chat
with one another.

As we all know, the running of land speed events depends on dry weather. 

Many of us are making plans to be in Wendover for the 2024 Speed Week event scheduled for 8/3 - 8/9.  Of course, it makes
sense to check the weather forecast for that area before driving out there.  If it looks like the salt will be good on 8/3, people
will go.  But what happens if it rains on (for example) 8/4?  Are we all supposed to pack up and immediately drive hundreds
(or thousands) of miles back home?  What about the social aspects of the event, such as visiting with the other racers?

I'm not particularly familiar with the hotel/casinos in the area, and have been to Carmen's Black & White Bar just once or
twice.  Apparently this place is a favorite hangout for the racers.  And I have no complaints about the place.  Based on what
I have read, Carmen is great and so is the facility.  But sometimes I wonder if it is large enough (or quiet enough).

I'd like to see some kind of a get-together happen, but don't have many big or well-thought-out ideas about this.  And I
don't know of any other "venue" that would make sense, unless one of the larger hotel/casinos in town could accommodate
a gathering.  I can imagine about 300 people showing up (give or take a couple hundred). 

It may be that Carmen's is the right size and the right place, having established itself for this a long time ago.  And I certainly
wouldn't want to take business away from Carmen. 

I'm not in a financial position to "buy a round of drinks" for everyone in the place.  I'd like to do that, if I could.
Realistically, . . . outside, on the salt -- particularly on a rainy day -- just doesn't seem as comfortable a place to be, instead of in a building somewhere.  If someone has some ideas they'd like to contribute about any of this, please help.  Maybe we can make something happen . . . even if it doesn't rain at all in that location that time of year.   Thanks for reading.

Andy Lampenfeld

[Stainless1]

Tall.... we have a social gathering every evening at the Motel 6 during SpeedWeek... rain or shine...  Oh, WoS and WF too.  If you don't bring a drink, don't worry, everyone shares.  Feel free to join us.

[kiwi belly tank]

If the salt is off limits you don't have to look far to find a bunch of people bench racing. Before the cell phones came along it took a little more hunting.
  Sid.

[mtkawboy]

My fondest memory after 30 years of Speedweeks is a few rainout days I spent with some old people in the parking lot of the motel back in 1989. What I assumed to be regular run of the mill old people turned out to be a who's who of land speed racing. Names I can no longer remember but if I could everyone would instantly know who they were. Sadly, a great number are no longer with us. The stories ran from racing all the way to ones that we couldnt put into print on this site. I was a nobody and could only listen but the 2 days were priceless. I wish I could have recorded it. If you get into a rainout situation just put a lawn chair out in the parking lot & park your butt in it. If you do they will come, it worked for me anyway.

[Stan Back]

The Black & White was for years called the Hide-Away.  A little off the main drag and sorta ruff.  Back in the days, I'd been drinking with George Scott and another couple of guys.  We decided to go down to the Hide-Away a little after dark.  George had a freshly-restored VW "Thing".  He parked and then we decided that we should take each of our four doors into dinner with us -- so they'd be with us when we came out.

[Stainless1]

The Hideaway had a good steak... great atmosphere, kind of a locals casino in the middle of a trailer park.  It was over run with racers during Speedweek till the kitchen closed about 9.  We spent a bit of time in there... back in the day... 

[tallguy]

Thank you for the messages.  I've been to the salt flats a few times, and have seen the event get rained out.  I've also seen
the event get cancelled before I drove (about 600 miles) to get there.  Like all of us, I'll continue hoping for good weather and
a good racing surface, and will check back here occasionally.  Meanwhile, I will plan to bring an ice chest with canned soda and
beer to contribute to the camaraderie of the event -- that is, if it happens.  I drive a 2007 Toyota Tacoma pickup, and it's missing
most of the left front fender.  The vehicle color is called "desert sand", and it's a light tan.

Andy Lampenfeld

[ronnieroadster]

Like Stainless wrote above the Motel 6 is a good location to hang out. Lots of the Cool kids can be found there always lots of bench racing, story telling and sometimes even race car thrashing taking place as well. Heck in 2021 when my brother from another mother Jeff Arnett earned his Red driving my Ford flathead powered REMR that evening the Bean Bandits club had a BIG banana split celebration party at the Motel 6.  Great memories with great friends for sure.
 Ronnieroadster

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Nancy and I hosted the Salt Talks gathering for 10 or 15 years.  We learned a whole bunch of stuff that might come in handy for whomever takes on the "social gathering" project you propose.  Please feel free to ask for suggestions and ideas.

Ron, you shoulda been at the Motel 6 for the shootout that included the jet powered motorcycle streamliner.  Late one night we were awakened to a loud roaring followed by some bright flames as the bike was powered up in the lot.  WAY exciting!!

[SPARKY]

wow oh wow what flashbacks are coming through this old demented mind!!!!           

[theazoldcrow]

 :cheers:Stop at The Bend i the Road Gangs camp,,,,,, anytime,,,, we usualy have a good meal, and plenty of libations,,,,, good stories,,,, ad some of the most wonderful guys ad gals you'll ever meet !!!!!!!!   Jus' sayin'    !!!!!    Crow,  The Bend in the Road Gang,,,, P.R. dood.   

[rockracer]

Good stuff here.  It would be great to see more "previous racers and salt cars"  at the carshow in town. 
Probably wouldn't need one person to manage the event, just a meeting place to gather at.
Slim have you thought about starting a YT channel and bring back the salt talks or video race cars that showed up and go through its history on the salt.

[Stan Back]

Well, some of the former and current racers don't see much in a lot of the "phony" race cars that hang out at the Nugget.

[Gary Freudenberger]

The Hideaway had a good steak... great atmosphere, kind of a locals casino in the middle of a trailer park.  It was over run with racers during Speedweek till the kitchen closed about 9.  We spent a bit of time in there... back in the day... 

You beat me to the Motel 6 social gathering. I have a picture of the Hideaway Club on the wall of my shop, remember it well as a kid.

[Elmo Rodge]

For the last few years, Carmen has put the picture of my car in the "Place of Honor". Right between the 2 shitters. 
Wayno