Thread: Bonneville. Who has been there?

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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

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

A CB or walkie talkie is handy so you can walk and listen to whats happeneing on the track, times turned etc. (they also transmit on AM radio) because there is no loud speaker announcing system there.

You can't drive into the pits without a pit pass but you can walk through the pits, although the pits are over a mile long. All the racer are very friendly and the whole deal is very kick back. You can also go to the starting line and watch both the long and short course cars from there.

Most RV rental places in SLC know about speedweek and aren't very willing to rent a motor home for Bonneville, as the salt gets everywhere. But it don't hurt to try!

The night life in Wendover during speedweek is great, but there is also usually pyrotechnics, burning VW blocks and stuff at the "bend" that are
entertaining as well.

If you get a motel room or camp you will have the time of your life!

Mick

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.

went back in the late 60's but we had tents to sleep in and had a great time. We tried to put a 60 chevy with a 348 in the fiel;d, but we couldn't for some reason or other but I'm sure everything has changed in the last 40 years.

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