Monday, June 9, 2014

Speed Demon

Wendover, NV and UT 

Guess where we are.

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Here’s a hint – that’s not snow.

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       Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway

You all know how much Jim loves speed so we just had to check out the Salt Flats. This is the only thing to indicate you have arrived. There weren’t any time trials going on – guess most of them happen in August and November.

The first automobile speed record was set in 1914 at 114 mph by a guy driving a Blitzen Benz. Sir Malcolm Campbell set the first official land speed record at just over 300 mph with the Blue Bird in 1935. The jet cars arrived on the scene in the 60’s with Craig Breedlove’s Spirit of America and Art Arfrons Green Monster trading records at over 400 mph. Then in 1965 Breedlove brought a new Spirit of America – Sonic I and absolutely smashed the record with a run of 600+ mph. That record stood until 1970 when Gary Gabelich brought the rocket-powered Blue Flame to the salt flats and ran 622 mph.

We started out on the salt but it was really rough so we turned around. Couldn’t really figure out how they could race cars on it. But the little white note on the sign says – go about a mile out and enjoy the experience.

So we went back out and I’m sure glad we did. What a fantastic experience. You drive for miles and miles with nothing in front of you except more salt.

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You really cannot judge how fast you are going because there are no telephone poles, or bushes, or trees or anything flashing by you. I glanced over at the speedometer (Jim is wishing he had hid it from me) and we were doing 80. Since this truck has got to last us many more years of RVing, I “suggested” he slow it down a little bit. Grudgingly he did so.

This is what your vehicle looks like afterwards.

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And this is where you go after you finish playing.

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There were about four other vehicles that were out on the Salt Flats when we were there. You can take any kind of a vehicle because once you get past the first rough part, it is just smooth.

I am so glad we had this adventure. We had another incredible experience while in Wendover but I’m going to make a separate post.

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27 comments:

  1. MontanagirlJune 9, 2014 at 8:13 AM

    I don't like going over 65 mph, so I'd have prob'ly bailed out!

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  2. JackJune 9, 2014 at 8:24 AM

    I don't know how we missed it, but as many times as we've been past the salt flats we didn't know you could drive on them. What a great experience. Good thing you were in the truck with Jim. LOL

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  3. Paul and Marti DahlJune 9, 2014 at 9:05 AM

    Now that is really cool! I guess that makes you a pair of salty dogs... :cD

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  4. joehJune 9, 2014 at 9:17 AM

    Very interesting. Mrs C. does 85 on the turnpike and we have to stay out of the fast lane. I think she would let loose on the salt flats.

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  5. John HedgesJune 9, 2014 at 9:30 AM

    Lucky you were on board Sandie or Jim might have gone for the record.

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  6. GypsyJune 9, 2014 at 9:32 AM

    Glad you enjoyed the salt flats. That's one of the last places in the world I'd want to be, but if you like racing I think it would be fun. For as beautiful as southern Utah is, the northern part is different.

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  7. Ray and Cindy WarnerJune 9, 2014 at 9:54 AM

    As long as I've lived in Utah, I've never stopped at the Salt Flats. Way to go Jim. Sounds like you liked it also Sandi.

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  8. UnknownJune 9, 2014 at 10:21 AM

    We have been near that area. Talk about deserted! People who don't travel have no concept of what 'open space' and 'big sky' really mean. Love the clouds after the rain and the Thoreau quote is me. 103 in Fresno yesterday. Uck!

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  9. Wanderin'June 9, 2014 at 10:48 AM

    That salt is probably worse than the salt air at the coast. It is definitely a good idea to get it all washed off. You're lucky Jim didn't get out there and try to race around with you and your trailer. We all know he's a speed demon.

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  10. Rod Ivers June 9, 2014 at 10:49 AM

    But Sandie... Your supposed to find out what your top speed is out there.. And surely that truck will do more than 80.....!

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  11. our awesome travelsJune 9, 2014 at 11:24 AM

    Now that really sounds like too much fun, I am sure it would have gone much faster than 80 mph. But then again???

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  12. Betsy Banks AdamsJune 9, 2014 at 11:55 AM

    Well---for people who love SPEED, I guess that that is the place to go... I've heard of the Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway --but don't know much about it. Bet your hubby loved every minute of it!!!!

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  13. palamineJune 9, 2014 at 12:15 PM

    Quite the experience. If I got out there it wouldn't have been "80" though.

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  14. Travels with EmmaJune 9, 2014 at 1:51 PM

    I think this is the first blog post I've ever read about the salt flats. Interesting.

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  15. Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009June 9, 2014 at 4:09 PM

    Oh what fun. I love the photo with just the truck. That would be a great photo to print and frame.

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  16. AnonymousJune 9, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    I think Dave would have enjoyed this--even more if I wasn't a passenger. But, we both would have been headed for the car wash right after as well.

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  17. Clark RamblingJune 9, 2014 at 5:30 PM

    Now if Jim had a Ford, then he could have driven faster and you wouldn't have known it because of how smooth Ford trucks ride. LOL Sorry, I had to do that knowing what Jim's background is.

    I would have loved to have taken our BMW out there and opened it up, but they put a governor on it and kept the speed down around 138mph. I know that because my son told me so when he did it. Of course it was years later when he told me.

    Keep having fun out there.

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  18. NanJune 9, 2014 at 6:20 PM

    Now, John would love that!

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  19. HappytrailsJune 9, 2014 at 6:59 PM

    What a cool experience!!! I never knew about the salt flats...learned something new today!!! :-)

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  20. Bob and JoJune 9, 2014 at 8:56 PM

    Didn't know you could drive on the salt flats.

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  21. TeriJune 9, 2014 at 10:45 PM

    Wow, cool! And yes you have to get that salt off right away.

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  22. billandjanrvingtheusa.blogspot.comJune 10, 2014 at 5:38 AM

    Wow.....I'm surprised 80 is the top speed in a Chevy. No joking, it had to be a blast. It must have been like someone taking you to an ice cream store and telling you that you could only have a lick of ice cream, not the whole ice cream cone.

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  23. SpantzJune 10, 2014 at 1:48 PM

    That sounds like a blast! I will be putting it on my list of places to visit.

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  24. CarolynJune 10, 2014 at 4:10 PM

    I've never seen the salt flats and oh, baruther! look how it accumulates on the tires. that's the way the sand does too... don't like it.

    hahaa ~ strongly suggested ... do they ever really ever grow up... just bigger toys...

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  25. djkark1osiJune 11, 2014 at 6:16 AM

    Wish I had taken my Porsch there. Did 130 on Rt 66 in the Mojave desert what fun. Maybe next year we'll do it with the Ford truck.

    Sounds like you're having a great time. Hope to see you next winter in AZ.

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  26. djkark1osiJune 11, 2014 at 6:16 AM

    Wish I had taken my Porsch there. Did 130 on Rt 66 in the Mojave desert what fun. Maybe next year we'll do it with the Ford truck.

    Sounds like you're having a great time. Hope to see you next winter in AZ.

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  27. AnonymousJune 15, 2014 at 6:39 PM

    It really does look like snow doesn't it !

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