If there is one single thing that every Bonneville racer is concerned about as we inch closer to Speed Week, it is the condition of the salt. The SCTA monitors the salt for months ahead of the event and works tirelessly to prepare the competition courses to give every racer the best shot at going really, really fast. Sometimes it is a battle that no one can win, though. After all, everyone is forced to play the hand that mother nature dealt us and make the best of it as the event goes on. Last year was one of those challenging years. There were spins a plenty as the surface wasn’t as consistent as many racers would have wanted to see. Again, the SCTA worked their asses off dragging and prepping the salt, but Ma Nature had other plans. There were fast runs, and records set all over the place but it was tricky business according to the racers we were listening to in the pits. That’s what makes Bonneville, Bonneville after all. It is a unique place both in racing and on the face of the Earth. God, we love this stuff.
Anyway, here’s the word from SCTA regarding the salt and their procedures for making it the best it can be for racers (some of which will be leaving in mere days to get out and setup).
Southern California Timing Association
Bonneville SpeedWeek Course Condition Report 7/25/2014
To All SpeedWeek Competitors:
The SCTA has been watching the Bonneville courses very closely; we performed a pre-trip in June and drug the courses while they were still moist. The courses looked good at that point and we anticipate them getting better. There has been sporadic rain since then but nothing significant and the courses are holding up well. SCTA officials will start course conditioning next Saturday August 2nd, 2014 and will start giving daily reports from the salt via our SCTA-BNI website and Facebook.
To assist with having the best possible courses the SCTA and USFRA have purchased the new Bonneville Course Conditioner. This commercial grade wheel packer replaces the old wheel packer that has now deteriorated. This will allow us to compact the courses before polishing them with a traditional drag. Suffice to say that the courses will be in excellent condition barring any adverse weather between now and SpeedWeek.
See you at SpeedWeek!
Regards,
Scott C. Andrews
SCTA President/Chief Timer
what’s the story on the buick in the photo?
It’s straight 8 powered and has run 150 plus.
Oh man it’s gonna be a fast and awesome this year I dare say the fastest speed week since the jet cars if Thompson can run like we all hope and think he can if I was poteet and main I’d be worried
Bringing a newby team out from the great state of Iowa to join the other six teams headed to the salt from corn country. Go get em Team SpeedaSALT!
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