Neil
Supporter
Speedweek, the biggest event on the Bonneville Salt Flats is coming up August 3rd to 9th. Put it on your bucket list- the venue is unique and it is like racing used to be in the '40s & '50s- no big money prizes, no TV coverage, just people out there for fun, and a timing slip is your only reward. Here is the schedule:
BONNEVILLENATIONALS SPEEDWEEK
Schedule of Events – August 3-9, 2024
(TIMES SHOWN ARE MOUNTAIN TIME---Utah)
THURSDAY,AUGUST 1
7:00 a.m. – Pits open for Set-up
10:00 a.m. – Fuel Truck Opens
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Inspection and Registration
8:00 p.m. – Salt Closed
FRIDAY,AUGUST 2
7:00 a.m. – Pits open for Set-up
9:00 a.m. – Fuel Truck Opens
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Inspection and Registration
8:00 p.m. Salt Closed
SATURDAY,AUGUST 3
6:30 a.m. Salt opens; Line-up Open
8:00 a.m. Course Stewards Meeting at Timing Tower
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Inspection and Registration
9:00 a.m. – MANDATORY Drivers Meeting
(ALL DRIVER/RIDERS MUST ATTEND)
Located at Course 1-2 Starting line.
Rookie Orientation to Follow Drivers Meeting
(ALL NEW RIDERS/DRIVERS MUST ATTEND)
Located at Course 1-2 Starting line.
10:00 a.m. (+/-) Racing Begins!
5:30 p.m. – Racing Ends
8:00 p.m. Salt Closed
SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY, AUGUST 4-9
6:30 a.m. Salt Opens (Upon arrival of Impound Monitor)
7:30 a.m. Record Return Runs on all courses
Qualifying starts on All Courses Immediately after Record Runs
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Inspection and Registration
5:30p.m. – Racing ends
8:00 p.m. Salt Closed
FRIDAY,AUGUST 9 (Or on Last Day of Racing)
6:30 a.m. – Salt Opens (Upon arrival of Impound Monitor)
7:30 a.m. Record Return Runs on all courses
8:00 a.m. – Noon (+/-) Registration and Inspection
Qualifying starts on All Courses Immediately after morning Record Runs and
ENDS at 11:00 a.m., the final day of racing.
By now it will be difficult to find a room in Wendover, the nearest town. The hotel-casinos raise their rates outrageously during Speedweek but there are alternatives. On our first visit, my wife & I flew to Salt Lake City, rented a small RV there and drove it to Wendover where there is a KOA. Later, I found a camping spot for RVs, tents, etc. It is called "The Bend In The Road", just off Exit 4 on I-80 where the road out to the track takes a 90 degree right turn. It is an informal gathering place without any RV hook-ups but there are usually Porta-Potties in place.
The admission to the racing event is $25/day or $60 for the whole week. By all means, get a pit pass! You will definitely want to wander through there, look at the cars, talk to the crew and drivers (yes, you can do that here!) but remember that the pits extend for about a mile, so drive your car. Another thing you will want to do is attend the Drivers' Meeting at 9AM on Saturday just before racing starts. After that, you can drive your own car down the track but you must stay under 55 mph. Once the rack is clear, racing begins.
Bonneville is still just like the movie "The World's Fastest Indian". The drive to the track at dawn is surreal.
BONNEVILLENATIONALS SPEEDWEEK
Schedule of Events – August 3-9, 2024
(TIMES SHOWN ARE MOUNTAIN TIME---Utah)
THURSDAY,AUGUST 1
7:00 a.m. – Pits open for Set-up
10:00 a.m. – Fuel Truck Opens
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Inspection and Registration
8:00 p.m. – Salt Closed
FRIDAY,AUGUST 2
7:00 a.m. – Pits open for Set-up
9:00 a.m. – Fuel Truck Opens
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Inspection and Registration
8:00 p.m. Salt Closed
SATURDAY,AUGUST 3
6:30 a.m. Salt opens; Line-up Open
8:00 a.m. Course Stewards Meeting at Timing Tower
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Inspection and Registration
9:00 a.m. – MANDATORY Drivers Meeting
(ALL DRIVER/RIDERS MUST ATTEND)
Located at Course 1-2 Starting line.
Rookie Orientation to Follow Drivers Meeting
(ALL NEW RIDERS/DRIVERS MUST ATTEND)
Located at Course 1-2 Starting line.
10:00 a.m. (+/-) Racing Begins!
5:30 p.m. – Racing Ends
8:00 p.m. Salt Closed
SUNDAY THRU THURSDAY, AUGUST 4-9
6:30 a.m. Salt Opens (Upon arrival of Impound Monitor)
7:30 a.m. Record Return Runs on all courses
Qualifying starts on All Courses Immediately after Record Runs
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Inspection and Registration
5:30p.m. – Racing ends
8:00 p.m. Salt Closed
FRIDAY,AUGUST 9 (Or on Last Day of Racing)
6:30 a.m. – Salt Opens (Upon arrival of Impound Monitor)
7:30 a.m. Record Return Runs on all courses
8:00 a.m. – Noon (+/-) Registration and Inspection
Qualifying starts on All Courses Immediately after morning Record Runs and
ENDS at 11:00 a.m., the final day of racing.
By now it will be difficult to find a room in Wendover, the nearest town. The hotel-casinos raise their rates outrageously during Speedweek but there are alternatives. On our first visit, my wife & I flew to Salt Lake City, rented a small RV there and drove it to Wendover where there is a KOA. Later, I found a camping spot for RVs, tents, etc. It is called "The Bend In The Road", just off Exit 4 on I-80 where the road out to the track takes a 90 degree right turn. It is an informal gathering place without any RV hook-ups but there are usually Porta-Potties in place.
The admission to the racing event is $25/day or $60 for the whole week. By all means, get a pit pass! You will definitely want to wander through there, look at the cars, talk to the crew and drivers (yes, you can do that here!) but remember that the pits extend for about a mile, so drive your car. Another thing you will want to do is attend the Drivers' Meeting at 9AM on Saturday just before racing starts. After that, you can drive your own car down the track but you must stay under 55 mph. Once the rack is clear, racing begins.
Bonneville is still just like the movie "The World's Fastest Indian". The drive to the track at dawn is surreal.
