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The best part of Speedweek at Bonneville?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by BrandonB, Dec 16, 2006.

  1. BrandonB
    Joined: Feb 24, 2006
    Posts: 3,434

    BrandonB
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from nor cal

    I've been reading some of the previous advice threads on Bonneville, the do's and don'ts, what to bring etc. What I am curious about and didn't see is if you can't go for the whole week, say you could go for 3-4 days, what is the best part of the week to be there. Would the beginning, the middle, or the end of the week be best.
     
  2. Begining for sure. Depending on your ability to get off work, the best 3-4 days would be Fri-Mon or Fri-Tues. Racing does not actually start until Sat at noon (or therabouts, usually late). If you can;t get off work, head out real early Sat morning.

    The begining is the best because you see almost all the cars, and by being there first, you get to see the action before it dies down later in the week. Fri-Sun evenings at the Nugget are where everyone goes to hang out, it is like a car show with no organization.
     
  3. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    The beginning, including tech, is the best as most cars/bikes are there then. As the week goes on and cars break they start to thin out. Tech is a great time to be nosy and pick up a lot of invaluable info and ideas if that is your interest.
     
  4. Chaz
    Joined: Feb 24, 2004
    Posts: 5,016

    Chaz
    Member Emeritus

    Yep, be there for the first few days for sure.....
     

  5. Skate Fink
    Joined: Jul 31, 2001
    Posts: 3,472

    Skate Fink
    Member Emeritus

    .............is it hot???
     
  6. Ole don
    Joined: Dec 16, 2005
    Posts: 2,915

    Ole don
    Member

    This year it was hot, take tons of water with you. Try to spend time at the start line, the end of the pits to see the car drive past fast, and save several hours fro the casino parking lot after dark. Also, walk the pit. Stop and visit, its an event you wont forget. You get to meet the people you have read about.
     
  7. dragrcr50
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 3,865

    dragrcr50
    Member

    this year the hottest day of speedweek was 90 degrees and about 68 at night, very dry and very very bright...lots of water and great shades....first 3 or 4 days is the best by far...:cool:
     
  8. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    [ Also, walk the pit. Stop and visit, its an event you wont forget. You get to meet the people you have read about.[/quote]

    Unless they are in the middle of a thrash, most racers there will be more than happy to answer your questions and talk about their car. Unlike drags, oval etc. racing it is a pretty laid back affair.
     

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  9. Rex Schimmer
    Joined: Nov 17, 2006
    Posts: 743

    Rex Schimmer
    Member
    from Fulton, CA

    Once the racing starts and there are some cars qualified for records get up and be on the salt for the sunrise. A truely great experience. See attached picture.

    Rex
     

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  10. ratstar
    Joined: Feb 22, 2005
    Posts: 1,313

    ratstar
    Member

    Hey everyeone better show up to the (un)official HAMB BBQ on the ninth at my place!

    The beginning is the best so we're having a bag bash to get it kicked off, HAMB style.
     
  11. Digger_Dave
    Joined: Apr 10, 2001
    Posts: 2,517

    Digger_Dave
    Member Emeritus

    Never been??
    Things to take ...

    LOTS of sun screen. Highest rating you can get your hands on.
    Apply EVERYWHERE! (for those who just wear shorts - and no underwear - spread LIBERALLY on the "family jewels"; the sun bounces UP! off the salt) :D

    HAT; wide brim.

    SUN GLASSES. (best kind are those that wrap around the sides) You can actually burn your eyes if they don't wrap around the sides.

    FLUIDS: (LOTS!) water is best. Leave the beer for later in the evening.

    SEATING: Take your own. (lawn chair) There isn't any grandstands.

    CAMERA: Digital now becoming the MOST popular; film and print processing costs will "kill" you with ALL the pictures you will wind up taking!!
     
  12. Roadsters.com
    Joined: Apr 9, 2002
    Posts: 1,782

    Roadsters.com
    Member

    If you are limited to only attending for a few days, go for the first part of the event, since the number of teams on the salt decreases as "shit happens" and racers leave because they can't make any more passes.

    I once kidded a racer because he fried a (very rare) piston and he had left the one that he needed "sitting on the bench, back in east Texas".

    "Gee, are you sure it's safe there?"

    The really serious racers like to run as early in the day as they can. 7:00 am is a good time to be there.

    The race cars are really neat, but the best part of visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats is the people.

    When you're there, be prepared to protect yourself from the most intense sunlight you will ever experience and take hundreds of good pictures.

    Dave
    http://www.roadsters.com/
     
  13. Bugman
    Joined: Nov 17, 2001
    Posts: 3,483

    Bugman
    Member

    I gots a question. I wear glasses, not a monster perscription, but I won't see anything at a distance without them. Obviously standard wrap around sunglasses aren't gonna work, and I cant afford perscription wrap arounds. What do you suggest?
     
  14. tomslik
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,161

    tomslik
    Member

    goggles?
    seriously....just a sugestion...
    my wife wears some over her glasses on the bike..
     
  15. jetmek
    Joined: Jan 12, 2006
    Posts: 1,847

    jetmek
    Member

    you could try the clip-ons....theres a vendor there that sells glasses of all styles.
     
  16. Rootie Kazoootie
    Joined: Nov 27, 2006
    Posts: 8,134

    Rootie Kazoootie
    Member
    from Colorado

    I wear glasses also and just the plain old Roy Orbison type prescription shades have been fine for me, but thats just me. To answer your question: You might try clip on side shields for safety glasses which can be found at larger/ better vision stores or possibly welding supply outfits etc. Tinted (?) I don't know but that should be doable if not. BTW the pits/viewing area is quite a ways from the course so binos are advisable.
     
  17. Cyclone
    Joined: Mar 31, 2006
    Posts: 222

    Cyclone
    Member
    from Sonoma, CA

  18. Its hot, but not like in Maryland as we have the humidity. I found the lower humidity made it much easier to deal with the higher temps I saw a few years back when I went out there. The sun is hot and it does reflect, but if you are the type who tans, and you have a good tan when you get there, you should be fine with a decent hat, sunglasses, and some sunscreen. I wore a white T shirt, shorts and sandals (if they were good enough for Baskerville, they're good enough for me) and I was good to go. Watch for un tanned areas that might be affected by sun bouncing up off the salt as previously mentioned in another post. Another peculiarity I noticed was that no matter how hot the sun beamed down, the salt was always cool to the touch........:D
     
  19. Digger_Dave
    Joined: Apr 10, 2001
    Posts: 2,517

    Digger_Dave
    Member Emeritus

    Bugman, I got tri-focals and can't see past the end of my nose without them.

    I found a cheap side pair that slide BEHIND your regular glasses and hang off the frames. Think I paid about $5.00 for them.
     
  20. 28rpu
    Joined: Mar 6, 2001
    Posts: 387

    28rpu
    Member


    I've seen a couple people wearing welding helmets out there!?
     
  21. BrandonB
    Joined: Feb 24, 2006
    Posts: 3,434

    BrandonB
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from nor cal

    How about those old peoples sunglasses. The ones the Optometrist give you after you have had your eyes dialated. Oops that sucks, I am one of those old people.
     
  22. Bugman
    Joined: Nov 17, 2001
    Posts: 3,483

    Bugman
    Member

    Lets see here. Wide brim hat, glasses over my glasses, and suntan lotion covering my nose. So much for looking cool when I meet new people:D
     
  23. Digger_Dave
    Joined: Apr 10, 2001
    Posts: 2,517

    Digger_Dave
    Member Emeritus

    One other tip ...

    Throw in a small bottle of VASELINE in your kit bag.
    It's the ONLY stuff that works when you sun burn your lips!!

    (helps in another region too!! :D )
     
  24. river1
    Joined: May 12, 2001
    Posts: 855

    river1
    Member


    all those new people will be looking just like you.

    later jim
     
  25. Dan Warner
    Joined: Oct 25, 2004
    Posts: 557

    Dan Warner
    Member
    from so cal

    I've to Speedweek a few times and I agree with Rex.

    If some of your favorite cars have qualified for a record be at the gate at 6:00 AM for morning record runs. The sunrise and general feelings of great things to come are close to being number one on my list. There are less people, only those involved with the record vehicles, about and it makes for a close knit group.

    You will be able to tell your grandkids "I was there when .... went .... MPH"

    DW
     
  26. steele138
    Joined: May 11, 2005
    Posts: 121

    steele138
    Member

    The opening days are awesome,sunrise on the salt is a religious experience.I've got a pith helmet GOOD sunglasses buckets of sunscreen (tops and bottoms of everything),tons of water,easy-up
    lawn chairs.Talk to everyone,got invited to hang with people I grew up reading,hearing about..too cool.
    Its Mecca for Speed junkies and motor heads.
    whether its a flat powered tank,motorcycle or diesel truck its just cool..when do we leave!!!
    steele
     
  27. hotrodladycrusr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2002
    Posts: 20,765

    hotrodladycrusr
    Member

    Lip balm, AKA chapstick, works wonders BEFORE you allow your lips to get burnt.:rolleyes: After all, you want your lips smooth and soft for kissing me right:D
     
  28. buick320a
    Joined: Jan 21, 2006
    Posts: 449

    buick320a
    Member
    from indiana

    bEST TIME IS AT 6:30 AM , BACKING UP YOUR RECORD ATTEMPT
     
  29. DeucePhaeton
    Joined: Sep 10, 2003
    Posts: 1,013

    DeucePhaeton
    Member


    If you can get some side shields for your glasses ( a safety store) I'd recommend it. Paint the shields black. Blocks the intense light from coming around your sun glasses.
    Haul one of those 5 gallon Igloo coolers out with you.
     
  30. Cword
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 743

    Cword
    Member

    "The best part of Speedweek at Bonneville?"

    That's easy. When Jim or Wes say "the course is yours".

    [​IMG]
     

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