Bonneville Raceway
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
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From: mesa az
Bonneville Raceway
I recently asked 3 DPS officers what they would do to me if they clocked me doin 140 mph. We were all at a car show. They just said arrest me. I asked if they knew anywhere i could go to max my C4 out ? My best guess is my top end max is 160 mph. So the AZ state police officer says what about the Bonneville Salt Flats ? I went home and Googled it only to learn a few lame facts. I could join the 130 mph club no question but what kinda braggin rights is that ? Big deal a Toyota Camry will do 130 mph ! But the 150 mph club is very cool and had my attention. Then I learn the list of rules includes a roll cage which left me asking who has a roll cage in a street legal car ? A car registered and insured for driving in traffic not a track. So my plans for making the trip are a wash.
Last edited by C4in mesa; Aug 4, 2013 at 12:34 AM.
Team Owner
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From: Park City Utah
If you need documentation (for whatever reason), then you need to follow their rules.
If you just want to floor your throttle and see how fast you can get your speedo up to, go anytime other than speed week, and spring when the salt is wet.
I was driving to Wendover once, and saw the legendary Bonneville Speedway exit off I-80, and thought, "I have to see that!". I got off and followed a piece of asphalt on top of about 4' of road bed several miles out into the salt....and then it ended in a cul-de-sac, raod bed tapering off down to the salt on all sides. ...And that was it. No grand stands, so "speedway", nothing but miles and miles of flat, smooth salt. Not much of a "race track", but since I was there, I thought, "Why not drive on it and see what happens?"
So I drove my car, down the tapered road bed down onto the salt...and floored it. Did that until the car wouldn't go any faster, then slowed, turned around, and did it back to the pavement.
Point? Just go drive there at a time other than when they are doing official timings (when there is no one there) and run the wee out of your car. Not much to it...just be smooth and keep it pointed straight.
If you just want to floor your throttle and see how fast you can get your speedo up to, go anytime other than speed week, and spring when the salt is wet.
I was driving to Wendover once, and saw the legendary Bonneville Speedway exit off I-80, and thought, "I have to see that!". I got off and followed a piece of asphalt on top of about 4' of road bed several miles out into the salt....and then it ended in a cul-de-sac, raod bed tapering off down to the salt on all sides. ...And that was it. No grand stands, so "speedway", nothing but miles and miles of flat, smooth salt. Not much of a "race track", but since I was there, I thought, "Why not drive on it and see what happens?"
So I drove my car, down the tapered road bed down onto the salt...and floored it. Did that until the car wouldn't go any faster, then slowed, turned around, and did it back to the pavement.
Point? Just go drive there at a time other than when they are doing official timings (when there is no one there) and run the wee out of your car. Not much to it...just be smooth and keep it pointed straight.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Roger that Tom400CFI. Not more than 4 miles from where I sit on the 202 Freeway a Youtube video was made by young man whose parents own a **** web site. He is driving a brand new Lamborghini and hits 219. He had people all along the freeway with camera's and it really is impressive. I believe the freeway had just opened and many of the exits were closed. None the less still extremely dangerous. I admit I have taken my car well over 120 mph. However I would prefer not to endanger anyone else's life. The chances of surviving a collision at 100+ miles per hour are slim to none. I will see if my gf will agree to making the trip up to Bonneville and letting me max out my OLD car. Next week I am thinking about putting a classic plate on the car. AZ charges $25 for the first year and a $10 fee for each year after.
Last edited by C4in mesa; Aug 4, 2013 at 09:52 AM.
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From: Park City Utah
If you time your trip so that it is on a Wednesday, you could also hit a "Wide Open Wednesdays" at Miller Motorsport Park too.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: mesa az
Here in Maricopa County drag racing is an easy sport to enjoy. Several tracks including the light tree the whole bit. My car is all top end 3:73 gears. Drag racing is hard on a car and I tend to ginger my old car. Stepping on it when I'm over 50 mph won't wear my U joints. Besides I would want a car that runs 11 or better if I was gonna drag race ! Gotta love it. Fun to watch those guys run hard.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
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From: mesa az
Just package the trip and present it to her in a way that she'll be keen. "Let's go see how fast my car will go on the salt" might not do it, but "Let's go for a short vacation in UT and see _________" might work.
If you time your trip so that it is on a Wednesday, you could also hit a "Wide Open Wednesdays" at Miller Motorsport Park too.
If you time your trip so that it is on a Wednesday, you could also hit a "Wide Open Wednesdays" at Miller Motorsport Park too.
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
C$in Mesa, I entered my 86 in the 130 Club a few years back. A coupla notes for you to ponder. First, the salt pack does not have a binder to hold the crystals together. (no traction) So the entire run is accomplished with the rear tires spinning. The 130 is a one mile course with the timing trap inside the measured mile. SO running a measured mile on salt to hit the traps at 103+ is not as easy as you might think.
My 86 used all five runs to collect two over 130. Turns out the 700R4 with 3.07's runs the trap @ 129.98mph in third gear. It took all five runs to learn to pedal into OD and get the necessary speed. A tough lesson learned with the 700R4 and the WOT kickdown mod.
The bad news is the USFTA has a new rule that requires ANY car with a removable top to have a roll cage for the 130 standing mile. I argued the point to deaf ears of the officials. So then to run on the 150 course you need a full cage, fire equipment and a fire suit.
So the salt is out unless you build a cage. Next is the one mile courses found at airports and the desert.
.
My 86 used all five runs to collect two over 130. Turns out the 700R4 with 3.07's runs the trap @ 129.98mph in third gear. It took all five runs to learn to pedal into OD and get the necessary speed. A tough lesson learned with the 700R4 and the WOT kickdown mod.
The bad news is the USFTA has a new rule that requires ANY car with a removable top to have a roll cage for the 130 standing mile. I argued the point to deaf ears of the officials. So then to run on the 150 course you need a full cage, fire equipment and a fire suit.
So the salt is out unless you build a cage. Next is the one mile courses found at airports and the desert.
.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Aug 4, 2013 at 08:45 PM.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: mesa az
I guess legal recourse is the reason for the roll cage. I have heard old airports or just going to Bonneville when nobody is there and just running my car to the max. The Miller Motorsports park also requires cars without a hard top to have a roll bar with 4 points. The plus is they advertise $35 a run.
Last edited by C4in mesa; Aug 4, 2013 at 08:49 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
If you get caught on the salt other than a sanctioned event,
you'll get impounded and arrested.
There's always the Mojave Mile in SoCal.
you'll get impounded and arrested.
There's always the Mojave Mile in SoCal.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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Likes: 23
From: mesa az
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
These guys say that you can, and one apparently worked there... http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...2184104AAoDQjm
...and this says you can too. http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm
If you can't I've never heard that in my 16 years here, and no one bothered me when I ran out there...
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Aug 4, 2013 at 11:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: mesa az
I can always call the US Forrest Service or whatever Gov. agency is in charge and just ask ! Maybe the Utah state police ? I'd rather slowly gain speed and not worry about a 2 mile stretch nothing more before being disqualified.
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From: Park City Utah
It's BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, which all BLM land (that I am aware of) around here you can drive on, IF you are not creating a "new trail/road". It would be hard to argue, no matter where you drove on the salt flats, that no one has driven there before.
I agree...just get it into high gear, then roll on the throttle. Eventually, you'll be going as fast as your car can go. My bit of cautionary advice would be to run your "course" at a low speed first to ensure that there are no surprises (bumps, ruts, water, etc).
I agree...just get it into high gear, then roll on the throttle. Eventually, you'll be going as fast as your car can go. My bit of cautionary advice would be to run your "course" at a low speed first to ensure that there are no surprises (bumps, ruts, water, etc).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,022
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From: Chandler Arizona
Maricopa county currently doesn't have an active/open drag strip. Firebird was not granted the extension to their contract to continue doing business on Indian reservation land. The use of the track is still in the air.
Speedworld (west valley) was also closed this year for legal battles they've been dealing with for years.
Both tracks suck, and prep was poor, and non-existent as the night went on anyway. The closest track, currently, is in Tucson (2-hours away from Phoenix).
Any top speed run should involve a thorough mechanical review of your car. Like proper torque on bolts, suspension bushings, BRAKES, tires, hoses, etc. *Also, the salt is very abrasive to the cars underbody and paint. It also gets ALL over the place. I hear traditional tires will have more of a challenge on the salt than salt-specific tires (there is a reason why these guys run narrow, light tread tires).
Several cities (none that I am aware of in Arizona) do a "standing mile" run, although these are all organized events with certain safety regulations.
Speedworld (west valley) was also closed this year for legal battles they've been dealing with for years.
Both tracks suck, and prep was poor, and non-existent as the night went on anyway. The closest track, currently, is in Tucson (2-hours away from Phoenix).
Any top speed run should involve a thorough mechanical review of your car. Like proper torque on bolts, suspension bushings, BRAKES, tires, hoses, etc. *Also, the salt is very abrasive to the cars underbody and paint. It also gets ALL over the place. I hear traditional tires will have more of a challenge on the salt than salt-specific tires (there is a reason why these guys run narrow, light tread tires).
Several cities (none that I am aware of in Arizona) do a "standing mile" run, although these are all organized events with certain safety regulations.
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
Go out there and find out for yourself.
And have fun.
.
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Aug 9, 2013 at 12:59 AM.
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From: Park City Utah
Going next Monday for World of Speed. Did a little looking and found this from the BLM themselves; directions on how to drive on the salt!
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medial...20Advisory.pdf
On BLM's web site, the talk about it more,
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/salt_...onneville.html
"A permit or entrance fee is not required to take personal photos, view the area, or drive on the salt,"
One of the many things that I love about Utah; you can go DO stuff like this and it's O.K. You guys should see "White Sands/Sand Mountain".
http://www.blm.gov/pgdata/etc/medial...20Advisory.pdf
On BLM's web site, the talk about it more,
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/salt_...onneville.html
"A permit or entrance fee is not required to take personal photos, view the area, or drive on the salt,"
One of the many things that I love about Utah; you can go DO stuff like this and it's O.K. You guys should see "White Sands/Sand Mountain".
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
That is an interesting question...b/c I may not correctly understand the whole thing. I'm going to watch. And maybe that will help me understand better?
The thing about running is this; for a car w/no cage, fire, etc. you can only run up to the 130 mph class, as I understand it. Some of the local guys I know here have entered their cars for up to 130, b/c they don't want cages in their cars. I don't either. So here is what I don't "get"; why run your car in the salt, get it caked in salt, etc, to go 130 mph?? If I'm going to put my car on the salt, it would be for one reason only; to see how fast the thing will go, MAXED out. I can go 130 on the front straight at Miller, so why would I go to Bonneville to go the same speed?
My main purpose for going is to "sight see" cool cars; modern and vintage. But in the process, I may learn why one would sign up for certain speed classes and run their cars on the salt at those speeds.
I'll try to take some pics and post about it.
The thing about running is this; for a car w/no cage, fire, etc. you can only run up to the 130 mph class, as I understand it. Some of the local guys I know here have entered their cars for up to 130, b/c they don't want cages in their cars. I don't either. So here is what I don't "get"; why run your car in the salt, get it caked in salt, etc, to go 130 mph?? If I'm going to put my car on the salt, it would be for one reason only; to see how fast the thing will go, MAXED out. I can go 130 on the front straight at Miller, so why would I go to Bonneville to go the same speed?
My main purpose for going is to "sight see" cool cars; modern and vintage. But in the process, I may learn why one would sign up for certain speed classes and run their cars on the salt at those speeds.
I'll try to take some pics and post about it.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Sep 5, 2013 at 11:02 AM.