Hi Utah guys!

I'm planning a long road trip in my Accord which will take me past the Bonneville Salt Flats. Looking for any info/experience/advice you guys might have about driving on the flats. If possible, I'd like to bust out a quick top-speed run with my GoPro before continuing on my way.

The Accord will have new damper-assemblies/bushings/ball-joints, new brakes/fluid, new timing belt/water pump, quality Michelins rated for more than the top speed of the car, and Hella 500 off-road lights. I will wear a helmet. Am I good to go?

Thanks guys!


-Peter from the SF Bay Area.

 

Hey Peter!
It sounds like you should be fine. I've never driven on the flats, but I live and work very close during the summers and I've been out there before. I also know a few people who've done runs on the flats. From what I've heard the grip is fine, but it's probably a good idea to get a feel for how your tires behave on the salt vs the road. Just a heads up, your car will get incredibly salty - undercarriage, suspension, wheel & wells, fenders, everything - salt gets everywhere. If you do the run, make sure you clean your car really well after, getting the salt out of every nook and cranny. It's nasty stuff. Other that (even though it's really flat) make sure you're careful, know what's ahead of you, and any other general 'go-fast' cautions. And have an awesome road trip!

 

I go out to Speedweek in August, and have run my S2000 on the flats (nothing serious, 110mph). The salt buildup an issue, but keeping away from soft spots is also important. I've seen a few people break through the crust and get stuck in the mud. Fortunatly our winter was dry, and the crust should be good and hard. But stay away from the edges!
Follow the signs to the Bonneville Speedway, Utah exit 4 off I80. The road heads north, and then turns east and ends in about 2-3 miles. From here head north/east on the flats. This is where the tracks are setup during Speedweek. For the most part the salt is flat and good there, but make a slow speed pass first then double back and go for it!
After your run, take a sturdy stick (an old broom handle) to knock off some of the salt. Then head back to Wendover and find a self serve car wash. Have fun!

 

Thanks, guys!

How far out is the usual Speedweek track from the entrance? Just wondering how far to wander out.

I was planning on a slow run for 2-3 miles, then turn around for the blast back. Is it a okay to go full speed headed back to the road, or should I only go fast headed away? I know it is big and open but with everyone randomly hooning around I want the minimum risk of crossing paths with another vehicle.

I'm hoping to hit my speed limiter at 130 MPH.

 

The Speedweek Tracks are about 2.5 miles from where the paved road ends. The main track (longest track) goes North/east, while the shorter track heads east. You want the longer track. I'd go down this track a few miles at a slow pace (to check it out) then return to the start. It would be safest to do your run in a north/east direction. If you go out on a weekday you might be the only person out there, but you never know.

 

In general the courses are in the same area but they set them up every event in order to take advantage of the best surface. They haven't marked the course with any sort of dye for years so if you go out odds are you won't see anything but a wide open expanse of salt. This early in the year odds are the whole thing is still under water!

As part of the lawsuit brought by "Save the Salt" the Potash plant across the highway pumps brine back onto the salt flats every winter to replenish the salt they had been pumping off of it for years. Early in the year it's entirely possible the whole thing is still under water. One way to find out is go to landracing.com and check their forums for "salt conditions" to get an update. Note that the first organized event on the salt isn't until August.

Thanks
Billy