We arrived on the salt on Thursday afternoon. 
Then the cars went through the Tech line (inspection). Fuel lines, roll bars, parachutes,
everything is checked and double checked by the Bonneville Speed week crew. New drivers have to also practice 'bail outs' in front of the inspection guys - to make sure they can get out of the race cars quickly, if there is a problem (fire, etc.)
and some other crazy race cars
On Friday, we were up & on the salt early!
Troy
Off to the racers meeting, then off to the rookies meeting which was much more interesting.
We got to drive the race course, which was pretty cool. Then it was noon, and Bonneville Speed Week had offiically started was open to racing! The rookie drivers all had to watch a few racers & then they were given their 'Rookie' sticker. One of the first racers to go was our friends from New York - it was fun to see them race so early!
Then it was back to the pits to make sure the car was ready for inspection #2! 
Once it was ready, we went back to the tech line & only had to wait a few minutes. They checked to make sure the changes were done, and then the crew had to do their bail outs.
Everyone passed, and we were off to the starting line!!
Interesting to note that the race cars had to be pushed or towed to the starting lines. There is no practice area & the only place the race cars could actually drive was on the actual race courses.
Spectating is pretty fun too. Campers, tents...
There were 3 race courses, a 7 mile course for those cars that went at least 175 mph; a combo course which could either be a 7 mile course or 3 mile course; and then the short course which was only 3 miles. All the new drivers had to do their first rookie pass on the short course. Their race car was trying to break a 123 mph record, so we would stay on the short course all week.
Getting the timing slip
It was a successful run & everyone was super happy! We got right back into the line again & waited for another 1 1/2 hours. We were only 3 cars back when they closed the course for the day.
We set up the pits (the New York gang had 2 cars racing).
Then the cars went through the Tech line (inspection). Fuel lines, roll bars, parachutes, everything is checked and double checked by the Bonneville Speed week crew. New drivers have to also practice 'bail outs' in front of the inspection guys - to make sure they can get out of the race cars quickly, if there is a problem (fire, etc.)While we were hanging around the tech line, I heard the news that Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn would be racing that week. A little bit later in the day, I saw a big semi truck & trailer drive past with the Brooks & Dunn logo! I never did see him race, but it was still cool to know that he was out there.
Chris & I took a walk around the salt - and checked out some other pits:
No one is allowed to stay on the salt overnight. The pits can stay, but no people can stay. There is an area just before the Bonneville Salt Flats officially start - called the 'Bend in the Road'. Many people camp there all week. We were one of the lucky ones to get a hotel room in Wendover. Most of the hotels are tacky casinos, but having running water was nice. We have camped at the bend in the road in years past & it can be a lot of fun. But it can also be really windy, noisy, and dusty.
Hanging out on Thursday night
On Friday, we were up & on the salt early!We cleaned up the pits area & then hung around and waited for Chris' friends from Reno to arrive. They had gone in as a group & purchased a 4 cylinder race car that they were planning on racing. Chris was really excited to see his friends & the race car!
They arrived after lunch, and we helped set their pit up as well. Whew, no rest for the weary!
The Peckerhead cast:
Tommy
Ray
We unloaded the car from the trailer & got it ready to go to inspection.
It's so cool!!
Thursday lines were really short. Friday was a whole other story - really long lines. We sat in the tech line the rest of the day, and waited for our turn.
Thursday lines were really short. Friday was a whole other story - really long lines. We sat in the tech line the rest of the day, and waited for our turn. We were only about 6 cars back, when they closed for the day - rats. Oh well, at least we would go early the next day. Very important - since racing started too!! Fortunately, we were able to leave the car in line - no need to tow it back to the pits.
The drivers: Rory, Chris, Tommy, Troy
Friday night, we hung around the Nugget Casino. A ton of hot rods & people crowded the parking lot. Chris & I went across the street to the Montego Bay & ate at their buffet, which was very good!
Salt build up on the hot rods. Those that don't have fenders typically get a lot of salt build up. This year, the salt was relatively dry. Some years, it is so damp that the salt flies everywhere when you drive & the cars are completely covered.
We were up early again on Saturday - lots to do! It was my last day :(, so I had a lot of memories to soak up!
The tech line opened early, and we made it through before the racers meeting at 9:00- yeah! They did have to make a couple changes & the guys still had to do their bail outs. But they would allow them to go to the front of the line when they had made those changes.
Off to the racers meeting, then off to the rookies meeting which was much more interesting. We got to drive the race course, which was pretty cool. Then it was noon, and Bonneville Speed Week had offiically started was open to racing! The rookie drivers all had to watch a few racers & then they were given their 'Rookie' sticker. One of the first racers to go was our friends from New York - it was fun to see them race so early!The New York gang getting ready to race (Bill, Ray, Bill; Ken & Keith in the background) Ken was the first driver.
Then it was back to the pits to make sure the car was ready for inspection #2! Once it was ready, we went back to the tech line & only had to wait a few minutes. They checked to make sure the changes were done, and then the crew had to do their bail outs. Everyone passed, and we were off to the starting line!! Interesting to note that the race cars had to be pushed or towed to the starting lines. There is no practice area & the only place the race cars could actually drive was on the actual race courses.The view of the spectator field from the race course. Spectators are kept well away from the side of the race course, in case anything should go wrong. Many of the cars are going 300-400 mph & can travel pretty far if they go off course.
Spectating is pretty fun too. Campers, tents... There were 3 race courses, a 7 mile course for those cars that went at least 175 mph; a combo course which could either be a 7 mile course or 3 mile course; and then the short course which was only 3 miles. All the new drivers had to do their first rookie pass on the short course. Their race car was trying to break a 123 mph record, so we would stay on the short course all week.The friends drew straws to see who would drive first & Rory won. He passed & offered the first pass to Troy - an accomplished racer. We waited in line for a couple hours.
When we were only a few cars away from the front & when it was time for Troy to get his racing suit on & get into the car; he told Chris that he could be the first one to drive. That was pretty cool, since it was getting late in the day, and it was possible we would only have time for one pass. I was flying out the next day & really wanted to see Chris race. Chris got ready & soon we were the next car to go! Chris got the signal from the race official & off he went! He had a great first pass & went 115! The 3rd fastest mph the car has ever gone!
On their first pass, rookies were only allowed to go 125 mph & they couldn't break any records (or if they did, it wouldn't count). After one good pass, your rookie sticker & status could be removed.
Chris getting into the car for his first pass:
Ready, but waiting...
He got the 'GO' signal!
And he's off!
It was a successful run & everyone was super happy! We got right back into the line again & waited for another 1 1/2 hours. We were only 3 cars back when they closed the course for the day.One major change at the Bonneville speedway, that we were disappointed in. There used to be a black line - and that was the only mark that a racer would follow through out his pass. The black line was diesel fuel (not sure why they didn't use food coloring or something a little more environmentally friendly.... So, they stopped using the diesel fuel & this was the first year they had orange cones & mileage markers. They looked good - but history has the black line, and that was really missed.
We didn't stay out too late, as I had to be up at 4:30 am. Chris was nice enough to drive me to the Salt Lake City airport (about 120 miles east). He borrowed his friend's 'real' truck, so we were able to cruise to the airport in style.
We were able to cover the car & leave it in line for an early run the next morning.
Heading off the salt and racing the Peckerheads - just like old times!
Back to the Nugget & more hot rod viewing. I said my good byes - such a great group of people that we traveled with! I was sad to be leaving.
We didn't stay out too late, as I had to be up at 4:30 am. Chris was nice enough to drive me to the Salt Lake City airport (about 120 miles east). He borrowed his friend's 'real' truck, so we were able to cruise to the airport in style.It was a quick drop off, as Chris wanted to get back to the salt. Lucky him!
I waited at the airport for a couple hours, then had a nice comfortable flight home. I landed to a cloudy day - ahhh, it was so nice!! Days and days of blazing sunshine had taken it's toll on me. I loved seeing the cloudy skies!!
I talked to Chris when I landed in Boston. They had another great day on the salt. They didn't break the record, but everyone had successful passes. Yeah!
Destination: Bonneville Salt Flats where for Speed Week! The timing was perfect - we headed out one week after our Ironman.
Keith from New York
