Thread: Bonneville. Who has been there?

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Watching Car Crazy the other night got me wanting to go to Bonneville for Speed Week. It looks like a blast.

Who has been there and what can you tell us about where to stay, airports near by, camping, can you drive right up to where the racers are or do you park somewhere remote, etc.


Don

Never been Don, but drove past it. Watch "the world's fastest Indian" great flick feauturing some hotels nearbye.

We drive, but I think the nearest decent size airport is Salt Lake City. The closest town (just a few miles) is Wendover. Quite a few good sized hotels, but book early, lots of cruising done there at nights. Sometimes you can get a room by checking for cancellations. Wells NV is about 50 miles away and has quite a few Motels too, folks often stay there (helps to look at a map to understand proximities here). There's a "camping" area just off the freeway, next to the access road to the flats. No assigned spaces, no hookups or formal facilities (though some porta-potties at one end), but lots of flat space to park a motor home, trailer, or tent. It can be party central, fireworks and all, so don't plan on lots of sleep.

As far as accessability at the "track", it's pretty close to wide open, come and go as you please, (except the actual course surface of course) though they do control vehicle access to the pits and staging areas. Lots of viewing room. Bring lots of water, a hat, water, and sun screen (and water). We used a motor home and some quads to get back and forth from the camping area to the race site, makes for good combo.

Here's what camping looks like.

I understand the Curry and Fjiastadt families have been regulars there. Bob, have you met these people?

Been both a competitor and a spectator over the years.
Book a room now, as they go fast in town.
Lotsa sun screen, big hat, and don't wear shorts
(the sun reflects off the salt)

Originally Posted by deuce4papa

Bob, have you met these people?

No I haven't, at least not that I remember......

Was there two years ago for the 60th Anniversary,due to numerous NZ teams competing.Had a blast and would have gone this year but Hot August Nights was in full swing.We ended up camping in a couple of tents and had a great time.Parked the car at the pits area and used bicycles to get around.Worked out well but it is a couple of miles to the start line.And as mentioned above take sunscreen and big hats,is tough to convince boss that you were sick when you show upto work with a suntan.

I go every year, and Bob P. has got it covered. Hotel rooms are very hard to find, so start calling now. You will probably be put on a waiting list, but call back often, there are usually cancellations, but camping at the "bend" is always a possibility.

The first part of the week is usually the most interesting. Theres lots of cruising and an evening gathering in front of the Nugget Casino that is unbelieveable if you are into traditional hot rods.

Once you go it will get in your blood, and just possibly ruin you for life!!

Mick

I really want to go now. Sounds like it is pretty remote and not many facilities so camping might be the way to go. I'm not a camper normally but in this case it looks like the best alternative. I guess it is REALLY hot and the whiteness magnifies it a lot.

I know they call it Speed Week, but how many days are actually the races? Besides the racing is there much else to do? Vendors for food and stuff? I've been thinking a minibike might be handy.

Thanks for all the info so far guys.


Don

Originally Posted by lurker mick

........... and just possibly ruin you for life!!

Mick

Isn't that the whole point of hot rodding Mick?

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Vendors for food and stuff?
Don

Not at the salt.
The ONE grocery store in Wendover does land office business that week...............especially in ice and WATER.

Sounds like renting a Winnebago or some such vehicle would work best. Provides a nice base camp, etc...

That's probably true about the Motorhome. I just checked the driving milage, it's 2086 miles from here. Won't be roadstering it, that's for sure.

So it looks like there is a lot to do besides watching the speed trials. (I guess technically it isn't a "race" ) What lessons have you guys learned about where to stay, what to bring and not bring, etc? I know sunblock and sunglasses, but anything a person might not normally think is needed but is?


Don

Don, when we were in Utah (Moab area) last Summer we saw lots of rental RV's of varying sizes - they were in every parking lot at the scenic spots, plus creeping down the curvy roads. Maybe the answer is to fly in to the nearest large place that rents the beasts, like maybe Salt Lake City, and go on from there. You might even drum up a small group to split the RV, grocery, beer & ice costs

Originally Posted by rspears

Don, when we were in Utah (Moab area) last Summer we saw lots of rental RV's of varying sizes - they were in every parking lot at the scenic spots, plus creeping down the curvy roads. Maybe the answer is to fly in to the nearest large place that rents the beasts, like maybe Salt Lake City, and go on from there. You might even drum up a small group to split the RV, grocery, beer & ice costs

A few words of caution.
Know some guys who did just that a couple of years ago, when they took it back, the rental agency could tell it had been out on the salt and it cost them their $1000 deposit plus another $1500.
Have heard a lot of "Horror" storys about rental cars and motorhomes takin back after a trip out to the salt.
That stuff get's everywhere.
Get a room @ the Nugget and play it safe

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

That's probably true about the Motorhome. I just checked the driving milage, it's 2086 miles from here. Won't be roadstering it, that's for sure.

So it looks like there is a lot to do besides watching the speed trials. (I guess technically it isn't a "race" ) What lessons have you guys learned about where to stay, what to bring and not bring, etc? I know sunblock and sunglasses, but anything a person might not normally think is needed but is?


Don

definatly lotsa sun block
and if ya wear boxers now, get some tieti whities
Hope ya make it out and enjoy the trip
Don
Oh yeah--- ain't nittin like drivin a roadster across the U.S.
Done it many times.