Speedweek Bonneville - looking for some help please...

[Chris_911]

I am planning on fulfilling a lifelong ambition and getting over to Speedweek. I'm hoping to make it this year but fear I may have left my preparation too late.

I want to make it something of a working trip and spend the week photographing all aspects of the event. I've contacted the SCTA but am looking for any pointers/contacts regarding UK teams that may be making the trip this year.

I am aware of 'the worlds fastest Jensen' and their plan to be back in 2020.

Any help, advice, pointers, suggestions, contacts would be most gratefully received.

TIA.

[theorangeperil]

I'm watching with interest here Chris.
I'd like to do this in 2021 for my 50th.

Looks like a slow start, but let me know how you get on?

[KS]

Can't help with the teams bit, but I was there in 1988 for the 40th anniversary Speed Week. Stay in Wendover, drink gallons of water and be sure to get up at 5.00am to watch the sunrise – the most magical you will ever see in your entire life. Everybody is as friendly as can be, everyone will be happy to talk to you and you'll come home wanting to go again...

[Chris_911]

Thanks for your thoughts Guys.
Have to admit I'm struggling to get any traction with regard to Team details - it may end up as a 'get yourself there and make it work' photography trip.

Suggestions of other forums/means of making contact please?

[bjmullan]

I'm sure Nick Moss and Ferryman (Paul) went their a few years ago so I'm sure they will be along with some advice.

[Ferry Man]

I'm sure Nick Moss and Ferryman (Paul) went their a few years ago so I'm sure they will be along with some advice.

Thanks Brendan. Yep, I've been a couple of times (one of which was cancelled).

I’ll start by saying that - for me - Speedweek is the best motoring event I’ve ever been to. I love it.
You’ll discover modern racers, vintage hot rods, bikes, cars and land speed record holders.

Upon leaving the highway you’ll travel a short distance over gravel road before there’s a 90 degree bend and the track turns onto the salt. You can drive on the salt.
SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) lay several courses on the salt flats of varying lengths (up to 10 miles long if conditions permit). The pits are set back a safe distance from those measured miles and parallel with them. Hence the pits are strung out over miles (literally miles). So there’s ample space for you and the racers. There’s no issue getting in amongst the participants.

Wear sunscreen and a hat. Don’t wear shorts, the sun reflects up off the salt and you can get sunburnt in places you wouldn’t want to. Needless to say take ample water.
The nearest town is Wendover which is a casino town on the state line. 51 weeks of the year it’s pretty dreary. The hotels are low grade and cheap. But for one week of the year the rooms are very expensive. There are a few motels but they are booked solid. Don’t even try looking for a reservation, they fill years ahead. So, you are left with the casino hotels but they hike the rates and - cheekily - insist on 4 or 5 night bookings only. Most folk stay at the ‘bend’. There’s a big temporary village of motor heads that settle there for the duration of the event. It will comprise motorhomes, trailers, caravans and tents. Each night there will be parties, drinking and BBQ’s.

Aside from the racers on the salt there will also be impromptu car shows in the town of Wendover.
Pick carefully when you go. Speedweek starts on Saturday and that weekend is the busiest. But as the week goes on folk will leave. Some break records and depart. Some break cars and depart (the attrition rate in the tough conditions is high). Some will despair and depart. It means by mid-week things are much less busy but there’s much less to see.
If you roll into town on Wednesday you’ll probably get a room that someone else has given up on.
The first few days are the best time to visit.

As I alluded to above, I did go once only to discover the event was cancelled so be aware that can happen. But it's rare. As it happened alternate plans were made and the holiday was great so don’t let that put you off.
The land management bureau are now making better efforts to replenish the salt these days so hopefully the future is secure for racing. This years salt (whilst thin) was in superb shape. 500mph was achieved!

Get there. Treat the salt with respect and leave no trace. It’s a wonderful event with a fascinating history. You really should go.

[Chris_911]

Thanks Paul. I really appreciate you taking the time to post that

It's going to be a solo trip so will be expensive but does mean that I can concentrate fully on the event.

I think both 2014 & 2015 events were cancelled (due to weather?) so cancellation remains a possibility. Hopefully I won't be that unlucky....

Ideally I hope to find ways to monetise my output but if I can't it will be disappointing but I'm not looking to make the trip simply to earn from it. I have been fascinated by racing on the salt for as long as I can remember so dearly want to experience it. I'm drawn by the romance of the place - the machines, the characters and their stories, the successes, the failures....

[Winston Teague]

How about a cheap car that's sleepable-in from Craigslist local to your entrypoint and set up with the campers? Fun, cheap, lockable adventure.......

[camperco]

The cheapest car for sleeping in and gathering up parts is the Dodge Grand Caravan. Enterprise have got all of them and the yanks hate them. We rent them every year, about $60 a day.

The rear seats drop into the floor, flat enough for a bed. There's hidden storage under the floors too for cameras and things. Or hire a mini RV from El Monte RV hire. We've used them too, great customer service.

I going to Bonneville one day too I hope. Paul, your post has really got me wanting to be there!

[Chris_911]

I have decided to delay my trip until next year, mainly because I am going to tie up my presence with a few UK teams (principally the world's fastest Jensen team).

I'm hoping to meet up with some UK teams to document their preparation for the event.

[theorangeperil]

I have decided to delay my trip until next year, mainly because I am going to tie up my presence with a few UK teams (principally the world's fastest Jensen team).

I'm hoping to meet up with some UK teams to document their preparation for the event.

Hi Chris, how's the planning going? I'm beginning to think about our 2021 trip.

[Chris_911]

I have decided to delay my trip until next year, mainly because I am going to tie up my presence with a few UK teams (principally the world's fastest Jensen team).

I'm hoping to meet up with some UK teams to document their preparation for the event.

Hi Chris, how's the planning going? I'm beginning to think about our 2021 trip.

Slowly.....
Struggling to find and engage with UK teams if I'm honest, and having a bit of a wobble as wifey is being made redundant
Need to get back on it.

[anglophone1]

My 71st year in 2021- have to go!!

[theorangeperil]

My 71st year in 2021- have to go!!

I'm hitting the big 50. That's my excuse for the trip.
We might get to meet up over there?

I'll happily share notes on anything that might be useful in the meantime.

[Chris_911]

I want to resurrect this.
For obvious reasons I abandoned my 2020 plans but am now looking at making 2021 the year I make this happen.

If anyone has any suggestions or contacts for UK teams hoping to hit the salt in 2021 I would love to hear about them.

I'm looking to make contact with as many teams as possible and hopefully document their progress (and success).

TIA.