From the age of 10 years on, I've read the yearly coverage of Bonneville in HR, starting about 1962, wondering what it was like to be there. Never knew anybody who'd been there. Wasn't until my late 20s that I finally saw film from the Salt. Damn. Otherworld stuff to this country boy from Tennessee. back in the 80s, I was gonna go. Pre internet, I called around Utah for info. Talked to a county sheriff who gave me the number of an OG Bonneville racer, and I called him. He told stories going back to 1949 or so, but it was hard to communicate due to his hearing loss. A very gracious man . He told me to come. Work and life got in the way, again. In 2019, an employee of mine wanted to go. He was 27 years old, but an old soul gearhead. it was gonna happen, I was going to close my bike shop for a week ( tough to do in the summer ). Then he died suddenly of an unknown heart ailment. I turn 70 this year. Life has had a few surprise health-wise for me the last 4 years. I've read years of posts on what to expect. Trying to rent a car, hotels, etc. 40 years ago, I would have said so what, and made the flight with no car, and no hotel, and roughed it. I ain't tough enough for that. If I pull it off, I'll be coming by myself. It feels like now or never. Any other tips? Been reading a lot about TROG. My question is as a useless spectator, how close to the beach can I get? The pits? Possible to sit a bit, or would I be standing the whole day? I don't want to just sit in a far away bleacher, I want to get close. Googling TROG showed me a comment about being too far away to see anything. Hotels? Sorry for the long post. I'm really not trying to sound like a pussy, but I ain't as tough as I used to be. Others want to see the world before they kick the bucket. I want to see Bonneville and TROG. Thanks, Bill
Don´t know about trog but have been racing the Vincent streamliner on the saltflats 10 years in a row. The pits are open to everybody, you can walk or use a bike. We always answered all the questions of interested spectators, could be the next sponsor ;-). Some of them were so fascinated what we were trying to accomplish, they joined the team for next years campaign. On the salt you will meet a lot of friendly folks willing to explain what saltfever realy is. You can access the start grid and watch the cars/bikes leave very closely. To watch them at full speed you would stay in the pits and use your binoculars as the track is a couple hundred yards away and of course not accessable. Before salt racing starts, there is usually a "track walk" where the newbies are advised what to look out for and get a feeling of this years salt condition. Many times there will be a ride in a pick up or car available to run down the course or you offer your car for the ride - thus you get first hand explanations and experience. Have fun!
I haven't done TROG, but I can tell you that Bonneville is a bucket list thing for any gearhead. It's a little tough to explain, but the "feeling" out there is like no other car event. The actual spectating of the racing itself is not really the draw, you're too far away to see anything other than a blur zipping by on the horizon. But, as mentioned above, the pits are open to everyone. You can walk right up to these cars and chat with the guys, even the "big boys" are typically very gracious and kind enough to talk to you, answer questions, or just shoot the shit. You can also go to the starting line and watch them take off, which is super cool. Aside from that, the old air base is really neat to check out. There are different stops with signs that tell you what went on there, what certain buildings were for, etc. It's cool. The car shows in the hotel/casino parking lots at night are just as much fun as the rest of it. Some very good cars show up there, as you could probably imagine. If you go, take tons of sun screen, some kind of shade and plenty of water. Don't underestimate the heat out there, it gets pretty serious on the salt. If you don't do well in the heat, stay hydrated! Camping is easy out there. Aside from the KOA, there are people camped all down the road to the entrance of the salt itself, and there are porta-potties at the "bend in the road," and in other spots. Another thing is that several places in town have showers available for a small fee, which is huge if you are camping and want to cool off at the end of the day. I went for the first time several years ago as a "have to do it once" thing, I've looked forward to it every year since. It really is a special place with a ton of history, you can feel it in the air. It's pretty amazing. ironandsteele.com
I did it some years ago with a few mates. If you can't get accommodation at the casino in Wendover (usually long booked out), we flew into Salt Lake City, picked up a rental at the airport (do not mention you are going anywhere near the salt flats) and stayed at a hotel on the outskirts of SLC. We went to the salt every day for several days, about a 45 minute drive to get there but a comfy bed and good meal back at the hotel at the end of the day. Well worth doing and be aware of the heat on the salt. drink plenty of water and use plenty of sun block. A trip of a lifetime.
I have done both. Bonneville in 08, and T.R.O.G in18. You might be too late to get a room in Wendover for the first weekend. But some become available from Monday on. Don’t overthink it. Fly into Salt Lake City,rent a car as said above.Dont mention that you’re going to take the rental on the salt. Tell them you’re going gambling lol.andhead to Wendover. Wildwood is also a great take. Most of the action takes place around the Starlux hotel. If you’re not taking a hot rod the walk from the boardwalk to the race area is about a thousand feet away. I hope this helps. Snowman ⛄️
If going to Bonneville look for rooms at the Peppermill casino. It is in Nevada but the Utah Nevada state line is in the Nugget parking lot 200 yards from the Peppermill. And a much nice place than the nugget. We went last year and it was the greatest thing I’ve ever done. At TROG you can get right up next to the race track. The pits are usually just for drivers and crew or it gets so packed you can’t move around. Make friends with someone and get a pit wrist band. Then you can get in. Hotels are easy. You can get one right up in the action or just go ten blocks up the street to Wildwood crest and those rooms are always open. You won’t be disappointed with either one. I go to Trog every year. Wish I could go to the salt every year.
Come on out to the flats and talk to everyone. We will be there with a 2006 red Mustang 9320 that ran 262 last year. Normally we park in the middle section so look us up and we will give you a place to get out of the sun and refreshments. Hope to be driving my 35 Ford coupe that is rough rough rough!
This year will be my second year participating and frankly I can't wait for October. Has to be on every motor heads bucket list. Fly into Phila. rent a car there and drive to Wildwood. Drive should be about 1-1/2 hours.
As already mentioned, sometimes easier and more affordable to get rooms in Wendover after the first weekend. SLC is also a good option. No one is a stranger at Bonneville, Don't forget to find a meal at the Salt Flats Cafe, good Mexican food. From the SCTA website, advice for spectators https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/a0...BONNEVILLE - SPECTATORS.pdf?ver=1658523143480
I went to Bonneville a couple of years ago! It was on my bucket list , also. It’s hot, but being from Oklahoma I was used to the heat. But like mentioned take a big hat, sun screen and plenty of water. The place is huge! You will need something to get around on. We camped at the bend and had side by sides. You can drive them right up on the salt from the camp sight. One side benefit that no one has mentioned is if you bring your off road vehicle you can go up into the mountains around the salt and go wheeling! We went and got a really grand view of the track fro the top of the mountain! Also bring binoculars and a radio! They broadcast times on the radio! We had to park next to people with cars to get the results. The results do come in on your phone, but are delayed and hard to determine what car they are talking about. You will get salt on you and your vehicle! But you do need something to drive on the salt, the track is several miles long! And the spectators are a long ways from the track , because of the speed! We climbed that mountain in the background with our side by sides! PS: that is “ Anne” the wonder dog in the foreground of the picture! Bones
I don't want to sound like a Dorothy Damper but get your arse into gear and do it before internal combustion engines go the way of the dinosaur. Can you imagine how bleak it would be going to Bonneville or Lake Gardiner in Australia and watching electric powered cars with no sound? It would be as exciting as Formula E racing, insomnia busting.
The salt is very reflective. Apply sunscreen to the underside of your nose, chin and ears. If wearing shorts, apply it farther up the leg than usual. The salt can also irritate bare feet. Go. You won’t be sorry.
I've been twice but will most likely go again in the next year or so as my son and daughter inlaw and only grandchild just moved to Wendell Idaho. That just happens to be right close to where you turn south to go to Wells to turn left (east) to go to Wendover. That lets me make the 350 mile run to Wendover, Play with JW and then leave my wife there while I head to Bonneville. Note= if you camp at the bend in the road you can go to the truckstop and take a shower for a fee. You just tell the casier that you want a shower and they ring it up and line you up. I don't know what the fee is now but I'll pay it. As far as rooms if you don't have a reservation. Most of the motels kick the rooms loose if who ever reserved them doesn't check in by a certain time. When I had my dad with me we had to get on a list and wait it out but we did get a room. As others said, the majority of the Nugget Parking lot posers leave town by Sunday afternoon and after that rooms aren't that hard to get. Now some advice from personal experiences. Do not take anyone with you who gets bored easily and whines about it. Bonneville isn't Nascar and it isn't pro drags. There is a few minutes between cars leaving the line until the last car is safely off the track. If your wife is not a car freak but is happy as hell just sitting out under some decent shade with a cool drink and a good book and the heat doesn't bother her you have won the Bonneville lotto. If she gets bored easily it isn't going to be good unless she decides to stay at the hotel. This especially goes for your buddies more than wife or girlfriend. Unless they are really into land speed racing they are going to be bored. You can sit at the starting line where you can watch the activity in the line waiting to run and watch the take off and disappear off the horizon on the long track. Or you can park out at the three mile marker and play here they come/there they go. Out there you want a seriously long lens if you want to get good photos. As the others said, dress for the salt, This is not where you wear baggy shorts and go commando. Those stories are true, Guys did get the junk sunburned from the sun reflecting off the salt. Pack along shade that you can set up without driving pegs in the ground. Unless you have a large group I'd suggest a big beach umbrella with a stand that you can set it on. Fold the bugger up when you walk off to look around and no one has to chase you shade while a gust of wind takes it for a ride. Watch were you drive and stay in the tracks of the others. Don't be the jerk who decided to drive "over there" to get photos of his ride and then get burried to the frame and have to pay 600+ to get towed out. Drink water or some sort of Gator aid drink while out on the salt and save the alochol for when you are off the salt. First no one likes having a bunch of drunk as fools out there and alcohol and not enough water is going to get you seriously dehydrated. Pack along what you plan to eat while out on the salt unless you plan to eat at the on the salt cafe. You aren't always set up close to where they are though. it may be easier to fix a sandwich or something more creative than pick up and drive a couple of miles to where the food is right when one of the cars you are to watch is getting to the front of the line. As the others said, take a decent AM-FM battery powered radio with you . That way you can get the broadcast of what is going on. Not a bad Idea to take a battery powered CB either as the tower used to communicate by CB and you can listen in if you have one. A lot of the racers carry one to talk to the tower too. You don't want to use anything connected to your vehicle's battery as it will drain the battery by days end. And you don't need to know why I said that except been there, done that. If you are into car culture T shirts take some extra cash designated for buying race team T shirts or "Merch" . A lot of teams out racing at Bonneville are true shoe string operations and T shirt sales mean they get to eat something besides what they have in the cooler quite often. Plus you get a shirt that will impress your buds back home .
I took a couple long sleeve, white/light dress shirts I got at a resale shop. Also light color slacks with legs that zip off to make them shorts. I like extra pockets also to keep both hands free.
Just go! Following applies to Bonneville. The first weekend is the busy time. After sunday hotels open up, moreso after Monday. Assuming you fly out, stop and get a folding chair to have a place to sit. Just about everyone spectating has an easy-up. Any will be happy to lend some shade and a rest spot. Another good suggestion. stop at a thrift shop and buy a cheap bicycle. Tremendous help covering distances on the salt. Once done donate it back to the thrift shop, consider as a cheap bike rental and benefit the charity thrift shop. Rest of the comments all have good suggestions. No need to repeat. Yes it's hot, but humidity is not much. So once in shade you can be comfortable. The direct sun can be hot. A big hat is good, helps shade more of you.
Thanks for all the tips, much appreciated! I see rain is forecast for today, later in the week, and Monday. I know weather forecasts are a crapshoot anyway, but how much rain is too much? I'm going no matter what, but hate seeing any rain in the forecast........
Not sure how much is too much, but I hear the campground at the Bend gets real bad fairly quick. I lucked out when I was there a few years ago and we had no rain. Best I can do for you! Bones
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