Directions to Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway
Take Exit 4 off I-80. Proceed North on SaltFlats Rd for 1.2 miles. Turn
East at "The Bend in the Road" (stay on the only paved road) proceed
East for 2.7 miles to the end of the road.
Click
here for Map Link
For anyone planning to attend the races at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the following is a guide to help make your visit more anjoyable.
This is your chance to see the fastest wheel driven cars in the world, the 427 m p h, land-speed record holding Turbinator, The Autopower Special which has been timed at 442 m p h and other record setting cars. Among recent years entries are almost twenty other cars that have been timed at speeds over 300 m p h. Motorcycles are racing for a fine art bronze trophy by Jeff Decker, a first of its kind award for the fastest bike. The races are run in late September each year on the historic Bonneville Salt Flats. Interstate 80 defines the south end of the racing area. To get to the races follow Interstate 80 to Exit 4, just east of Wendover, UT. This is 120 miles west of Salt Lake City. Turn north and follow the five mile paved road to the race gate.
There are no grandstands. Spectators walk through the pits and talk to the drivers and crews. Parking is anywhere outside the cones on the west side of the race track and on down to the timing area, 3 1/2 miles away from the pits and the starting line.
Take a hat, dark glasses, sunscreen and lip screen (put some under your nose), a chair to sit on and shade from the sun. Bring a camera and lots of film because you will want to remember what you see. The brightly painted cars make great pictures against the stark white surface. Binoculars are a help since the racing cars are at least 1/4 mile away when they are racing at speed.
The un-muffled engines are very loud. Cars that burn exotic fuels leave an acrid smell in the air that will make your eyes water if you are too close. The color, the excitement, the waiting after every run for the timers report just to hear how fast a car or bike has gone will entrap you and make you want more. We call it catching "Salt Fever."
The racing barstools are a comic sight but serious racing with winning speeds expected to be in the over 70 mph range.
Catering by The Enola Gay Cafe offers a variety of hot food and hot or cold drinks starting very early with breakfast.
Souvenirs are available from a variety of vendors too.
The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association is a proud organization that continues to grow and provide opportunities for competitors to come to the Bonneville Salt Flats. The 130-mph format is specifically designed for street cars & motorcycles. The rules are simple and straight forward. We offer an entry level opportunity to try Salt Flats competition, without requiring highly specialized equipment. Many people who have never tried Land Speed Racing take this opportunity to experience the thrill of the Salt in vehicles not capable of 130 MPH. This is not a parade lap. This format provides a rare chance to run street legal vehicles at speed on the Salt, which has enticed many to return with real racing vehicles and compete in the rich traditions of Land Speed Record Racing. To gain entrance into the 130-mph club, the vehicle must run the measured mile twice in the same day at a speed no less than 130 mph. The two runs are then averaged. Further information and a complete set of the rules can be found by clicking here.
The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association was founded in 1976 to encourage the competetion, and to help preserve this amazing natural resource. The vast expanse of salt on the Bonneville Salt Flats was shrinking due to mining and it was appropriate that a local organization be involved, not only in holding competitive events, but working with Save The Salt for the benefit of future generations. An aspect of the sport that appeals to many of us is its lack of commercialism. This is racing that's put on by racers, for racers. For many of us, racing at Bonneville represents the last area of motorsports where people are encouraged to come up with their own ideas and try them out, without the need for million-dollar sponsorship deals. You won't find any corporate suites or posh restaurants overlooking the Bonneville Salt Flats. Join us on the Salt for an exceptional motorsports experience.
Information on where to stay in Wendover, and info about its many casinos and restaurants can be found Here!