Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => 2017 and before: SW & WF => SpeedWeek 2014 => Topic started by: LittleLiner on July 15, 2014, 09:16:08 PM
-
Never been to Bonneville. Would like to go to SW. Can I park at Lands End and 'hitch hike' to the pits?
-
Parking at "The Bend In The Road" might be better. Stand alongside the road with your thumb out. I'd be surprised if you didn't get a ride within 5 minutes.
Regards, Neil Tucson, AZ
-
There's far more room to park at the Bend inthe Road, but if you want to park at Land's End -- check with Lynda to see whee she thinks you ought to park. I'm quite sure that it'll be okay with her (she's the security head there) but she might want you a ways back from the End itself. As for getting a ride in -- you will have no problems whatever. I'm sure of that. :-D
-
Thanks Neil and Slim
Momma Bear doesn't want me to take her pristine Cruze onto the salt. Now I need a place to crash for a few nights . . . .
Regards, Art
-
I don't think she will allow it as it is narrow.
-
Seems to be a lot of cars parked at lands end and extending back toward the bend, doing exactly what you suggest.
-
If we see you thumbing for a ride out there we'd pick you up no trouble. Just a suggestion - if you're also going to be after a ride back off the salt take a bag to drop your shoes in so you don't salt up the inside of the car/RV.
-
My experience is folks will just roll down the window and ask if you need a ride.
-
Thanks Neil and Slim
Momma Bear doesn't want me to take her pristine Cruze onto the salt. Now I need a place to crash for a few nights . . . .
Regards, Art
If you don't mind camping staying at the Bend is an option. Showers are available at the truck stop (there may be a line). The wind can be high at night. Some have been forced to sleep in their vehicles instead of their small tents due to the wind. It does get cool at night, so bring a sleeping bag.
The folks staying next to you may turn out to be your transpostation on the salt.
I agree with the others - getting a ride will be easy. Show some respect and put your shoes in a bag like recomended above. Many will stop you and just tell you to hop in, since their vehicle is already full of salt or they have their floors covered.
You may want to refrain from riding in the back of a truck if that ride is offered. Salt in the eyes is a bad thing. It does blow around.
-
Riding in back of pickup and similar is not allowed per rule book but no problem getting a ride.
-
The real problem with your plan is that you may not realize the huge scope of the event. Say you get dropped off at the pit entrance. The pits are over a mile long -- and hundreds of feet deep. The starting line for the nearest course is about three miles away. Maybe about five to course 3 and 4. Standing for hours can get a little long.
The plus is you can easily get a ride to and fro as suggested. The easiest way to get a ride back would be at the pit entrance (and exit).
-
The T & T pits were not far from Lands End and you could drive to the pits and the car did not get dirty.
In fact just off of Lands End the surface was dirty. Not enough underground water to bring up enough
salt to make it white. Farther onto the salt it was wet enough to build up on your shoes and fenders.
A roll of quarters cleaned my car quite well.
FREUD
-
Lots of good advice and help. Many thanks,
Art
-
Taking bicycles to the salt is a wonderful idea. Even if you are out of shape, it is really easy to ride on the flat surface.
-
I wonder how many people that went to Woodstock had to have all the answers before they went.
If you are actually interested in Bonneville you will go and solve the situation when you get there.
Bring your Mother and send her as a scout.
Secure your pacifier around your neck with a diaper.
The internet breeds f'ing wimps.
FREUD
-
:-o What happened to the kind gentle Freud. That was just to funny Freud. :cheers:
-
see. . . Bonneville is still a hostile place. . ., just ask the Donner Party.
-
I thought living in Africa was tough??????????.
Freud, you just put me off.
I'll turn the canoe around. :-D
-
Freud, your killing me!!
But your right. Getting there is the hard part. You will figure out the rest after your there. Folks there are a friendly lot. Need something? Just ask. Want shade? We will share ours. Thursty? Help yourself to anything in the cooler. Forgot your sunscreen? Here use some of mine. Want my wife? Will you please take her home with you!
Spectating isn't hard.
Running a car gets harder.
Setting a record steps it up.
Getting a red hat is much more difficult.
I have no idea what going for a blue hat is like.
No, I don't drive. Our driver wears red. (That makes me a wanna-be. I wanna-be in a red hat too.)
I don't think much about what to take along any more. You will survive just fine with the basics.
-
Guess I'd better step in here with some directions, do's and don'ts!!! There is VERY limited space at Land's End this year....well, actually, every year! Our entrance lanes are moving out onto the salt if weather ( read that as water puddles on the ramp) allows. I have to have parking available for the tourists that are not going out to watch the races, so that's why I keep the North side coned off. The guys are right about hitching a ride at the Bend and hitching a ride back from the salt. Everybody looks out for everybody!! You'd almost think it was Christmas the way the Goodwill gets spread around!!
Remember, Tech starts on the 7th, that's Thursday!!, so don't come out on Wednesday and ask if you can just, "Drop my trailer in the Pit and come right back out!" If you are not one of the volunteers on my list, you're going to get told NO!! It's the same every year, no change, a constant. So, let me repeat that:
IF YOU ARE NOT ON THE VOLUNTEER LIST YOU CAN NOT GO OUT ON THE SALT UNTIL THURSDAY!!
I'm trying to borrow an ATV so that I can pull you racers out of the line on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. I know the line is long and you hate the wait. I also know that all of you have the driver's meeting to go to! Please remember, the road doesn't get any wider just because we're racing so my space is limited. I'll get you out there as quickly as I can but I do need your cooperation as well. There HAS to be an exit lane so you can't clog up both lanes thinking it will be faster. Be patient, allow me to pull you out of the line when it is safe for you to travel the exit lane. You all know your business of racing and you trust your crew...Traffic control is My business, so trust me and let me do my job. Remember, your safety is my first priority and I'll keep you safe at Land's End whether you like it or not!!
Each one of you is special and important to me and so are your dreams, so like I always say....."I am your dreamcatcher, I'll keep your safe going onto the salt so that you can chase your dreams on the salt."
I'll be seeing all of you soon!!
Stay Safe, Stay Upright, Go Fast!
Lynda
-
One other reason is that a safety lane has to be open at all times for Ambulance and Fire. Oh and the speed on the road in is 45 MPH and they do run radar and write tickets.
-
I'll second what Glen just said about the PO-lice. They do check speeds of vehicles - going in both directions, too. And they have been known to be out there early in the morning as well as during the day and late into the evening. The road is posted as 45 MPH - and the easy way to avoid getting stopped for speeding is to drive at 45 or less. Set your cruise control - and leave early enough that you don't need to hurry to get where you're going. Leave your racing speeds on the salt. :cheers: :cheers:
PS: A little side note: A couple of years ago one of the officials was heading out to the salt and got stopped for speeding - something like 60 in the 45 - and was ticketed. Being one of the "bosses" didn't prevent him from getting nabbed, so don't expect that you'll get away with it, either.
PPS: I don't know for sure if good-looking girls wearing low cut tops are exempt from the speed laws, so feel free to give it a try, ladies, and please report back (in person if at all possible). :evil: :evil:
-
Slim, I must say, I cannot find fault with your research techniques. :cheers:
-
One other reason is that a safety lane has to be open at all times for Ambulance and Fire. Oh and the speed on the road in is 45 MPH and they do run radar and write tickets.
And they do breathalyzer test also. I know from experience :-o (probably to only guy to fail and still get off, not even a speeding ticket)