Landracing Forum
Bonneville Salt Flats Discussion => 2017 and before: SW & WF => Speedweek 2012 => Topic started by: GreyCrazy on June 24, 2011, 06:50:13 PM
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I know you guys are all gonna laugh at me, but here goes. LOL Warning Stupid Newbie Problem ahead....
My husband has dreamed of seeing Speed Week his entire life. Yesterday I convinced him that we should just take the plunge and go! What are we waiting for after all?!?
Well....naturally now that I've started this I have a hotel issue. I had done some previous research but read 'casinos in Wendover' and thought 'surely there are rooms'. YES....you can laugh now. LOL
Are there any other hotel options closer than SLC? We'll be flying in Thursday night and it sounds like we'll need to book a hotel there through Monday or Tuesday. Camping isn't an option this year so I've got to find us a room somewhere that will let him see the salt without completely wearing us out driving back and forth. If anyone has suggestions, or even really good places to stay in SLC, I'd truly be grateful for the help.
Kim in SC
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No and this isn't a bad place to ask either. Flying in is a problem all it's own since rental car agencies don't want their newer cars on the salt and many now have a GPS system that tracks where you've been. For a visit, mid week can often open a few rooms but it's a risk. For the entire week and for a fly in... one possible would be to rent an RV to park at the bend in the road and then hitch rides back and forth onto the salt (they don't much want their RV's out on the salt either).
I know I haven't figured out anything close to an ideal solution. Just getting there is an accomplishment of time and money spent.
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Try Wells Nevada it is a little over an hour drive west of Wendover, They maybe full but worth a shot.
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Also in Lake Point, ut and Tooele. About 1.5 hours.
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Borrow a set of golf clubs (if you don't have your own), don't call for reservations, just show up with the golf clubs and tell 'em at the hotel desk that you came to play golf.....don't wear anything in the way of clothing that would connect you with the salt and I do believe you'll find rooms available and at a lower rate. :-( There are always rooms kept "unavailable" for racers. If you look like golfing tourist, or someone traveling through, you can get a room, but if you look, sound, or even act like you're interested in the saltflats, there will be "No room at the Inn".
Lynda
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And keep wtching this space. As time gets shorter there are always people who wanted to go in 6 months that don't want to go as bad in 3 weeks.
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Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help!
We can't camp because I require 2 pieces of oxygen equipment at night. It sure puts a damper on things. :-( Otherwise we would probably try to do the RV/camping thing. We're going to have to find a room somewhere, even if it means driving an hour and a half each way. Since we're making this journey, we're going to spend 3 days on the salt with all of you (Sat, Sun, Mon) then take the rest of the week to fulfill two other dreams at the same time-- for him to see the Grand Canyon for the first time, and to see a section of Route 66 as well. He never thought he'd be able to see those three things and to do them on the same trip! Holy Cow! So, I've got to find a solution other than driving an RV and camping.
Now I've gotten very worried about taking our rental car on the salt. Can someone tell me if it's possible to get it cleaned off enough that we can return it the next week without taking heavy fines? I've seen several mentions of parking at Lands End and paying someone to drive us to the racing and back. Would that be a better answer for us with a rental car? And if so, where would I start to beg, borrow, steal, or bribe someone to help us do that? Or am I worrying over-much with the knowledge that we'll only be on the salt for 2 or 3 days and will have the car for another week to repeatedly run it through a car wash?
Many thanks for taking the time to help me. I've seen already how willing everyone is to embrace those of us who are new and it speaks volumns about the true spirit of this hobby!
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<<Flying in is a problem all it's own since rental car agencies don't want their newer cars on the salt and many now have a GPS system that tracks where you've been. >>
So....that begs the question.....
Do we be honest and tell them to take an older car, or NOT tell them and hope we can get all the salt off and we don't get 'caught'? I've only rented a car a couple times in the past and never with the intention of doing anything as dramatic as this. I'm beginning to see that the salt has a world of rules all it's own (making me all the more eager to see it for myself!)
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I saw last night that the Nugget has smoking rooms available in their online reservation system. $180-ish per night.
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its been mentioned that some rental companies fit GPS to there cars . We plan to rent in vegas and drive up , is there a likelyhood of these cars not having GPS .
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its been mentioned that some rental companies fit GPS to there cars . We plan to rent in vegas and drive up , is there a likelyhood of these cars not having GPS .
They all use GPS, I got hit with a cleaning bill in Las Vegas when I took a SUV off road and a separate fine for excessive speed. Its all in little print in the rental contract. Tony
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I called the Nugget right after I read this post, very late last night. BOY do I see what you guys mean now about the locals treating salt visitors differently. They were really rude on the phone, even though I never said one word about coming in for the races or even how many nights I wanted the room. When I told him the first date, his response was "like you people don't know what's going on in town, like we would have an open room."
Ummmm, wow. (shaking my head) I took two things away from that. First, they're all idiots if they resent the business this brings to Wendover, and second, apparently I'm now part of You People. (laughing) I'll take that as a compliment! :-D
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the first few years we attended speed week(2004), we had a room in Salt lake city. The drive out to the salt each morning can wear on you after a couple of days.
the golf club suggestion is an interesting one, never thought of that
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A relative and fellow 2 club member gets a room every year when he comes to town. He shows up in a hawaiian shirt and acts like he doesn't know what going on? He hasn't raced in many years and will again someday, but it's a little risky IMO! Good luck. :cheers:
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There's no problem getting a ride onto the salt at the end of the road. And not much getting one back if you choose junctions in the roads and put your thumb out. One year one of our crew wanted to walk from the pits to the starting line and four or five people stopped to offer him a ride on the way. But the problem is shelter and mobility when you get to the action.
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It sounds like you and your husband have some physical challenges. I suggest not being concerned about the rental on the salt. Drive slow, stay on the graded roads. When you get to the pits, approx. 4-5 miles from lands end, you will have to walk to visit.The start line is 3 miles from the pits, the end of the track is 2 miles from the pits. Using the rental will ease your pain.
Read the other threads about plastic on the floors, etc., the guy at the end of the road charges a donation of $20 to do a fairly good under carriage cleanup. You will be on the road for a few days following the salt visit. Try to find rain puddles to drive through and visit another car wash before returning the rental.
Have a good time and come introduce yourselves to me at the Record Impound,
DW
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<<the guy at the end of the road charges a donation of $20 to do a fairly good under carriage cleanup.>>
Oo, I missed that entirely! That sounds like a very good idea for those of us not experienced with this. Judging by what everyone has told me, we really DO need to have access to our car both to rest, make the distances between everything, and to cool off/ drink from the cooler when we've gotten a bit overwhelmed from the heat. It sounds like we'll be OK unless we get a car with a GPS that tags us going there and get hit with that.
<<Have a good time and come introduce yourselves to me at the Record Impound,>>
Thank you, we'll do that! Many thanks for the help. I know it must sound like I'm beating this to death but I always figure the time to ask questions is BEFORE you really NEED to have it 'or else'. LOL
Kim
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If you are like me and everyone else.When your spectating some times you will want to be near the start line so that you can get a good look at the cars and hear them well. Then some people like to be down about a mile to see them accelerate. Of course there's the pits to see. And maybe at the end of the pits at about the 3 hear them pounding ground. On my best day I wouldn't want to do all that walking around out there. Whatever happened to Rent a Wreck? They didn't care.
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Two years ago we had a rental from Budget in SLC. We used the car everyday on the salt. Other team members borrowed the car and didn't take as much care with applying salt to the carpets. But we went to the car wash behind the Smith's store and vac it out. We also let the HS kids behind that big casino do a wash on it. They were very good. The guy that returned the car to budget had no problems with them.
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What happened 2 years ago is no longer valid.
Avis and Budget have merged, and we aren't in Kansas anymore.
Best to do some pre-checking.
http://boardingarea.com/blogs/flightdiversions/2010/04/27/merger-mania-spreads-to-the-rental-car-sector/
Jim
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First time visit to SW, need a single room 8-12, 13 & 14. Anybody thinking about not going?
Please call or text me at 901-233-9260
Steve Conn, Memphis, TN 8-)
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Hi Kim, it sounds like you and your husband are really looking forward to attending Bonneville Speed Week, I have a few suggestions, #1 see if you can rent a room in Wells, NV, its on Highway 80 which is only 80 miles from Wendover and Bonneville, so it only takes about one hr to drive, then get to the Roads End where everyone camps out near the main gate to the Salt Flats, then hitch a ride to the race track, then when you get in the pits, see if you can find my pit where 3 Studebaker race cars are at, My race car is "Avanti Kid Racing, race car # 1963, (Gold Avanti) then you can enjoy our shade and chairs and watch the race from this spot, we usually pit at the far end of the pits at the 3 mile point of the 5 mile long course, so its a great spot to see the race, remember the pits are huge, we will have over 500 race vehilcles at this event so the pits are about 1 1/2 mile long, but we will be in the first row at the 3 mile point for a good view, we usually have about 15 people in the pits for the 3 race cars, so later we could give you our cell-phone numbers for communication on the salt. Or you can carefully drive your rental car on the salt and still visit with us in the pits and later see Dan in the impound area where he verifys the cars for records. Anyway, we want you both to enjoy our racing sport at Bonneville, it is a very special place and great folks racing there,
take care Dave Bloomberg e-mail is "avantikid@earthlink.net"
PS, you will need sun glasses, sun tan lotion, hats and plenty of water and ice. Food & drinks can be bought in the pit registration area.
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Dave, that is SO kind of you! I'll send you a separate email when we get a bit closer. I grew up in LaPorte IN, 20 miles from Studebaker Heaven. :-D
Robert began to get really nervous about the hotel rooms, so we've reserved in a hotel on the west side of SLC. It's going to be a long drive, but it is what it is. I'm going to try not to be overly worried, plan on making the drive, and he'll know now for the future that we simply must make our plans earlier. I have no doubt that we'll have a great time anyway, and that there WILL be a next time. LOL
I just keep thinking how overwhelmed I am with the kindness all of you are showing complete strangers. Here we are, absolutely nobody in this racing world, coming all the way from South Carolina to fulfill a dream my husband has had all of his life. Your offers of help and support are priceless in making me feel like I can actually make this happen. I'm already profoundly grateful, and we're still over a month away!
Kim
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Kim:
There MIGHT be a room or three available at Wendover - but not yet. That is, if it hasn't already been said, it's not unknown for a team that has got reservations- to cancel for some reason and not even go there after all. The project didn't come together, the boss reneged on days off, etc. And when that happens it's pretty common to see the notice of "room available" here on this Forum. Keep your eyes open.
LaPorte, hey? You're one of "them" - from Indiana. I'm from Berrien County, Michigan -- the Sawyer - Three Oaks area, and we used to go to La Porte now and then. I think I remember my grandfather taking me somewhere down near there for antique steam engine fairs. That would have been in the late 50s, though - maybe before you were aware of such stuff. No matter what, though - we're glad you'll be out at Bonneville this year. We'll see you on the salt.
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Dress really like you're a long haul truck driver. Ask the clerk where you can park you rig. A friend of mine did just that a few years back and he
got a room at the Red Garter for $29.00.
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Kim:
I'm from Berrien County, Michigan
I drove a mixer for a concrete company from berrien springs, michigan.
they supplied the concrete for the perry nuclear plant
-- national mobile concrete.
great job.
it ended about 30 years ago.
franey
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LaPorte, hey? You're one of "them" - from Indiana. I'm from Berrien County, Michigan -- the Sawyer - Three Oaks area, and we used to go to La Porte now and then. I think I remember my grandfather taking me somewhere down near there for antique steam engine fairs. That would have been in the late 50s, though - maybe before you were aware of such stuff.
So you aren't going to believe how small our world is. :-) I actually lived (and my mother still does) just a couple miles from Three Oaks, just 300 yards over the border into IN. I usually just say LaPorte because nobody knows where Hesston is. LOL The 'antique steam engine fairs' you're describing is the Hesston Steam Show, which is just a couple a miles down from my mother's home. It still operates on the weekends, has periodic 'fair' special events, and even a Civil War reinactment once a year. Every year I go home, we end up running to Three Oaks for quick groceries or something. LOL I even have my own signed copy of the movie "Prancer" that was filmed there-- we know the director and his family from their apple orchard just down the road toward LaPorte.
Imagine making all these connections with you good folks. Pretty amazing. :-D
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Kim, I'm looking forward to your e-mail!! My race car will be ready for Speed Week, can't wait to get racing down that salt road!! hoping for 216+ mph in my 48 year old Studebaker with a Studebaker V8, now thats rare!! take care, Dave :cheers:
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Kim, I'm looking forward to your e-mail!! My race car will be ready for Speed Week, can't wait to get racing down that salt road!! hoping for 216+ mph in my 48 year old Studebaker with a Studebaker V8, now thats rare!! take care, Dave :cheers:
Dave my husband is SO EXCITED! When I read him your first message, he actually knew your car! He sat down to the computer and took me right to a website that he'd already bookmarked with your pictures and details about the Avanti. He is absolutely, totally, thrilled that he's going to not only meet you, but get to see something of life from the pits and with a little shade to boot. He keeps saying "and they don't even know us!" Our plan is to arrive Saturday morning in time to watch the sunrise at Land's End (thanks to help straight from Lynda too) and will be on the salt however soon we're allowed after that.
This is going to be the trip of a lifetime! I think I'd better buy another card for my camera so he doesn't lose time while I download. LOL
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And Lynda and the Land's End Crew do accept fresh doughnuts and cinnamon rolls for the services they provide all the racers and spectators.
Doug :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:
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Wonder what would happen, if somehow, a fresh In N OUT "DOUBLE DOUBLE" could be delivered in a suitable time?
Mercy!
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its been mentioned that some rental companies fit GPS to there cars . We plan to rent in vegas and drive up , is there a likelyhood of these cars not having GPS .
They all use GPS, I got hit with a cleaning bill in Las Vegas when I took a SUV off road and a separate fine for excessive speed. Its all in little print in the rental contract. Tony
i rent from the bottom dollar cheapy places and they don't have gps enabled cars. i got a 2 year old toyota matrix last year and it was the first rental car that i had ever had that actually had some mileage accumulated (it had something like 40,000 miles). anyways, cheap old cars with a bunch of miles on them probably won't have gps on them.
btw i rented from dollar rent a car. cheap, not nice car but no gps to worry about. at least the ac worked and i got 30 mpg.