Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => 2017 and before: SW & WF => Speedweek 2012 => Topic started by: TwinSpin on April 10, 2012, 01:20:19 PM
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I just found some new Bonneville salt in my driveway and it reminded of all the preparation I did for planning to attend my first time at Bonneville. That small clump of salt under my car reminded me of that quick car wash I did at Wendover as I left Speedweek and the three under the car washes I did when I got back home in Oregon. All the things this forum told me about the salt and sun at Bonneville were true.
Allow this thread to start to prepare Newbies who plan to go to the Bonneville Speedweek so their first time visit can be as rewarding as mine was. I am going back this year and looking to meet a lot of old friends I made last year.
Tell the newbies what to expect and about the friendships that will be made.
See you on the salt, . . . don't forget that sun block and bottle of water.
Bill
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...and a hat!
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
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My first time out I flew into salt lake and drove out to the salt in my rental car (another trouble area in itself). I stopped at Wal-Mart in salt lake and picked up some supplies; water, snacks, cooler, and a few fold up chairs. One thing I really wish I had bought though was one of those cheap pop up canopy's. When we were on the salt we were constantly trying to find a shady spot to take a little break from the sun.
So for the first time spectator I would recommend you pick up the following at wally world before heading from Salt Lake to Wendover.
1. Cheap pop up canopy
2. Lots of water/juice/soda
3. Sun screen (since they only allow a tiny bottle on the air plane)
4. A nice big hat!
5. Cheap folding chairs or a sturdy cooler you can sit on
6. The cheapest bike they sell (not really needed but sure would be nice)
Mike
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In the forums lists there is a lot of info on getting ready for Bonneville, what to take, how to prep the vehicle before going on the salt , how to clean it afterwards, and the list goes on. For health drink lots of water for sure.
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Here's a link to the list of stuff for first-timers, penned by "Bob", whomever that is/was, about 5 years ago. But -- he credits Glen with the story, so there you have it. Let me know if the link doesn't work for you - but it did for me when I tested it. It can be found from the landracing.com home page, "Tech & F A Q" tab in the upper right area of the page, then when you get to the next display -- scroll down and see all of the questions that are answered. The link is most of the way down that list - but it's there.
http://www.landracing.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=78
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The archives are loaded with information and a good way to spend a rainy day.
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if you use a rental , when you go to Walmart grab a heap of shopping bags and put you feet into them when you get into the car and drive off. It keeps a lot of salt from the carpet .
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"The archives are loaded with information and a good way to spend a rainy day."
But Glen - - -
you know it never rains in Wendover or in Indianapolis in the Summer time, (as the song goes) at least not when my fingers are crossed.
If you bring an umbrella tell everyone it is for the sun on a good race day.
Note: I was told last year a good way to get around the pits was to buy a used bicycle at Goodwill in SL City and then sell it to someone at the end of Speedweek. You may even break even in price and your feet will thank you. :-D
One more good thing to bring the first time is . . . someone who hasn't been there before. That makes for great stories on the trip home.
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Note: I was told last year a good way to get around the pits was to buy a used bicycle at Goodwill in SL City and then sell it to someone at the end of Speedweek. You may even break even in price and your feet will thank you. :-D
A bit of personal insight on that. I shipped my bike out last year via UPS, flew into SLC, and took the gambling bus to Wendover, where I had made arrangements to pick it up at a local business. And while it was perfect on groomed surfaces, such as the pit area, when I got off into the crunchies, and on the lesser groomed area between Land's End and the pits, it tended to understeer. I actually flipped once, and while I'm no worse for the wear, I'm certain it provided a degree of entertainment for someone.
A wider tired trail bike would have been a better choice - mine was an older 10 speed with narrow tires.
It's doable - just be careful.
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This thread reminded me, I was working under the Truck this week getting ready for Wilmington; I was "blessed" by a chunk of Bonneville while I was hammering loose a bolt (Seized by some Bonneville Locktite) And I haven't been there since 2010!
You can't wash it enough...
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I just remembered something different I tried last year.
I have a basic trailer light connector on my small trailer. It is that black rubber in-line 4 pole plug in. When I disconnected the trailer, I wrapped masking tape over both connector ends to keep any salt out, especially the female side because it is so hard to try and clean inside of those connectors. It worked for me. :-D
Bill
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Bill, WD 40 and put the plug in a baggie both plugs, also a 22 cal. gun cleaner brass brush works well for cleaning the female plug.
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Glen - -
I thought being new that I had a good idea. I like yours better, will try that. Oh, the 22 cal. cleaning kit, went on "her list." The BMW street bike went on my list. :cheers:
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The Dollar Store in Wendover can be a good resource.
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Where is it?
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Stan Back.........
About half way down the main street.
If you are coming from the other direction it's on the opposite side of the street.
They also validate your parking.
You can't miss it.
FREUD
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Google is your friend! 8-)
http://utah.citysearch.com/profile/736224610/wendover_ut/family_dollar_store.html (http://utah.citysearch.com/profile/736224610/wendover_ut/family_dollar_store.html)
Mike
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Oh, I see. It's across the street from that other place. My parking, as you well know, needs validation.
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Freud and Stan Back - -
It is where it is. The bad news is they are only open on the first Wednesday after the second Thursday before Monday afternoon. However, during Speedweek, they do open at Zero - dark thirty. I think that is military time. Too early for me. So who can complain for a dollar? :?
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After the rainout at WF last year I bought a pair of bedroom slippers, my only pair of shoes were soaked beyond retrievial. The slippers and two pair of gloves were about $5. I wore two pair of socks and the slippers on the way home, man were my feet cold!
DW
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I'm thinking about coming out this year and have a few questions.
Do you just drive up and find a place to camp? ( pickup with camper in the bed )
Does it cost something to camp?
Is there fresh water avalible at the campgrounds? ( 5 gallon jug )
Can you drive you vehicle from the camp into the track?
Is there a place down track that you can go to see the cars when they are up to speed?
Thanks JC
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JC........yes, you can camp in the area of the "bend" in the road......if you stay at the bend you will have plenty of noise, dust, and fireworks.......and mud if it rains.....a move to the "foothills" will give you a more peaceful nights sleep...no cost...first come first serve for space.....the Sinclair truck stop is a short distance away and offers food, water, showers and ice.......just follow the black top to the end of the road and a few more miles out onto the salt and you will be in the general area of the event....you can get only so close to the course....1/4 mile away from the pits......for the long course......i believe they are trying to limit the spectators from driving down the chase roads that parallel the courses as they tend to go places they should not be in.....i still have room on my entry form for one more crew member so if you want to see it up close and have fun let me know.......2 guys from Ohio were are camp neighbors the last 2 years.....sidecar
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You say I can only get 1/4 mile from the pits. I can not go into the pits? JC
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Not quite right. What he said is that the pits (and spectating area) is on the order of a quarter-mile from the course. You can walk into the pits and go anywhere, but can drive in them only if you're on a crew - it takes an extra pass to get through the gate. Those are free -- but only for crew. You can't buy a pit pass, but since it's free to walk in -- no big deal. Viewing is free and available (and you can drive to it) from the end of the pits (which will be about at the 4 mile marker) for about another mile or so. Still -- you'll be at lest a quarter mile from the course. But by the time the race vehicles are at the 4 - they're at or near top speed, so you'll see what you say you want to see.
There's unlimited free camping. Maybe a hundred acres -- maybe more, depending on how close you want to be to a road. NO services whatever, save that we've taken to supplying some porta-potties and a garbage rolloff container. Find a place and put your stuff down. NO markers or sites -- just acres of open space.
Let's see if anyone else has comments, but in the meantime - we'll see you on the salt.
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You say I can only get 1/4 mile from the pits. I can not go into the pits? JC
JC, the course is 1/4 mile from the pits. You can go in the pits, of course. :-D Wayno
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Hey sidecar, I mite be interested in that crew pass. Message me if you want, or email at jcsdezine@aol.com
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JC, it was pretty quiet at the Bend last year. The BLM Naz..........I mean rangers were hiding in the bushes and cracking down hard on fireworks and merryment. If only they would have threw cuffs on the idiots in the VW and on 4 wheelers doing donuts after Sunday nights downpour.
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Actually the foot hills don't sound bad to me. Years ago when I first started fuel racing I would camp at the main entrance to the US nationals. Back then it was out of control for 96+ hours. I would wrench for hours on end on the car, then it was out to the campground for the party. Now I am content sitting under the stars with a cooler of beer and some rock n roll on the radio. But,,,,,, I may take a walk over there. JC
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Don't forget to pick up your SHXT or Marty and I will have to- Thanks Steve and Marty
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I don't leave Sh$t laying around, I'm from the north. We have manors and are respectful. JC
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Is camping always allowed at the "bend" and the "foot hills"? For example, if I'm planning on getting to Bonneville on Thursday the 9th, am I allowed to set up camp then, or do I have to wait until the 11th to camp? Also, are pop-up campers allowed in these camping areas? I'm trying to plan my arrangements as well for Speedweek!!
Thank you.
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Camping is allowed, for free, every day of the year. It's BLM land with no limits or fees, although they do try to enforce a "No glass bottles or fireworks" rule. There's a "campground" in the foothills northwest of the bend in the road - I'm told. I've never gone up there. See for yourself if you like. BLM is trying to get more of the SpeedWeek folks to head to that spot.
Anything is welcome to camp at the Bend. I've seen people sleeping in the back or cars, I've seen the zillion-dollar bigger-than-a-bus rigs - and everything in between. A few minor things about which to think -- if you're parked in the low area on the inside of the bend you'd best hope there's no rain shower. The surface turns to greasy mud pretty much instantly - and you'll have a difficult time getting out (even in 4WD - trust me, I've tried it). And - if noise such as partiers and generators and such bothers you - choose a campsite that's towards the hill and not on the inside of the Bend (although you can park far away from the Bend, but in that case, beware of the rains that MIGHT fall.
See you on the salt.
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Awesome!! Thank you for the information! I can't wait to go!! :cheers:
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I cannot get there till Monday because of my work schedule. I am going as a spectator and not as a driver this year. Should I still go because I am missing the weekend? Or should I wait for a future time to go?
Craig
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Are you going to SpeedWeek to see the race vehicles - or to see the crowds of people? Seriously - the racers will be there, more or less, and the big crowds will have gone by Monday. Sure, a number of records may have been set, and the successful teams MIGHT have already left. And some of the vehicles will have broken and are now sitting in the pits. But - there's still lots of racing going on - and the folks still there have a bit more time and less hurry, so they might find more time to be hospitable to you. Go, go, go. Cheaper lodging, too.
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. . . and the guys who qualified on Sunday will be making record runs first thing in the morning.
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... and as I noticed the first time I went in 1996, a lot of the wise old owl's were sitting in the shade eating fried chicken and drinking cold beer the first two days waiting for the staging lanes to thin out so as not to spend too much time in the sun.
Pretty smart feller's as I think back to the many hours I have spent "basking" in the sun on Saturday and Sunday over the year's...............
Maybe one of these days I will remember to follow their lead, but that damn salt is like a magnet.........
:-D Bob
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Great thread, thanks.
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Bob --
Put the car in line before the Drivers Meeting. Can be going home Sunday afternoon.
Stan
(Well, it used to work years ago.)
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SpeedWeekend? :mrgreen:
Mike
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I am making my plans for Speedweek in August 2012 (a couple months out). Everything in Wendover is booked out and I am fine with staying in Salt Lake City and driving down each day unless there is somewhere closer. I could spend a day or two visiting Salt Lake City while I'm there. ;)
I was going to fly into town on Friday the 10th and planned on visiting the 11th through 15th. Is there any events such as car shows or the like going on the 9th or 10th that I should not miss? I figure I will be pushing my ADHD limits after two or three days. Are there other activities later in the week that I should stick around for?
To all previous posters, THANKS for list of must haves to bring!
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DanteMc
I would say not to miss the chance to see the Treit and Davenport Streamliner live. There are plans underway to arrange for the liner to be at Speedweek 2012. If you have followed any of the build pictures by Freud and Ray The Rat, you know you will redefine your definition of racecar workmanship and craftsmanship, I did. It has taken over 10 years of design and construction to bring the liner to its first debut. In this case, if they arrange to have the liner there, and you viewed some of the build photos, you WILL get a second chance to make a first impression, live. I look forward to a picture of my daughter Rizzy standing along side it on the salt. It would also be my guess if they show up, they will make some runs.
Bill
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... and as I noticed the first time I went in 1996, a lot of the wise old owl's were sitting in the shade eating fried chicken and drinking cold beer the first two days waiting for the staging lanes to thin out so as not to spend too much time in the sun.
Pretty smart feller's as I think back to the many hours I have spent "basking" in the sun on Saturday and Sunday over the year's...............
Maybe one of these days I will remember to follow their lead, but that Dodge salt is like a magnet.........
:-D Bob
Shouldn't much of that going on now that we have four courses. :wink:
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DanteMc
I would say not to miss the chance to see the Treit and Davenport Streamliner live. There are plans underway to arrange for the liner to be at Speedweek 2012. If you have followed any of the build pictures by Freud and Ray The Rat, you know you will redefine your definition of racecar workmanship and craftsmanship, I did. It has taken over 10 years of design and construction to bring the liner to its first debut. In this case, if they arrange to have the liner there, and you viewed some of the build photos, you WILL get a second chance to make a first impression, live. I look forward to a picture of my daughter Rizzy standing along side it on the salt. It would also be my guess if they show up, they will make some runs.
Bill
Hi Bill. I think that it's pretty unlikely that the Treit & Davenport liner will run at Speedweek. The plans at the moment are to have it on display during Speedweek, but test runs will be made elsewhere...and somewhat later. At least that's the plan for the moment. You can follow the thread in the Build Diary subforum in addition to the website ( www.target550.com ) for more information. We'll pass stuff on as soon as we get it.
Say Hi to Rizzy for me, k?
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Ray The Rat - -
Sorry to hear Treit's Streamliner will not make any runs. I'll still be happy to take some pictures.
BTW, the company lost my last coin order from March. After a reorganization of the company, they said they would now start minting my coin order. I plan to have them for Speedweek and should be able to give you that Rizzy Coin package we talked about.
See you on the salt in 2012 at Speedweek and on the course in 2013.
Bill