BONNEVILLE NATIONALS 2006

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Bonneville Speedway is an area of the Bonneville Salt Flats near Wendover, Utah, roughly 88 miles west of Salt Lake City, off Interstate 80, that is marked out for motor sports. It is particularly noted as the venue for numerous land speed records, typically set during Speed Week in September of each year - although other events are scheduled.

Wendover is the closest town to the salt flats for accommodations, food, casinos & night life. The spectacular scenery and racing conditions at Bonneville make it one of the most popular areas in the world for speed.

The salt flats were first used for motor sports in 1912, but didn't become truly popular until the 1930s when the Ab Jenkins and Sir Malcolm Campbell competed against each other to set the land speed record.

The speedway is marked out by the Utah State Highway Department at the start of each summer. Usually two tracks are prepared; a 10 mile long straightway for speed trials and an oval or circular track for distance runs, which is typically between 10 and 12 miles (16 and 19 km) long depending on the condition of the salt surface. In recent years, there has also been a 5 mile (8 km) long straightway for qualifying slower vehicles.

The straightway is marked with a broad black line down its centre and has several measured mile sections after the second mile. Additional marks and cones indicate the end of the track and the position of timing equipment on the measured mile.

Bonneville Land Speed Racing is a unique sport that consists of very determined people who drive hot rods, roadsters, belly tankers, lakesters, motorcycles, streamliners, and even diesel trucks to "shoot the salt" in a simple quest to have their name added to the list of many record holders.

Many years ago, the Bonneville Nationals Inc. (BNI) was formed.  It's main focus would be to produce the annual "Bonneville Speed Week".  The BNI hosts a spectacular week of racing each year in August, which is the highlight event of the LSR season.  Speed Week consists of six days of racing (Sat - Fri), weather and conditions permitting.  

Entrants come from all over the world to participate in the week long event.  Spectators are allowed to walk through the pits, view the vehicles, and talk to the drivers and crew members.  Public parking is south of the pit area, on the west side of the race track, outside the cones.  You will need a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and shade from the sun.  

Don't forget a camera with lots of film/memory/tapes, because you will want to remember everything you see and hear.  Binoculars are also a great idea since the race vehicles are at least 1/4 mile away as they travel down the course.

The colors, excitement, people and smells are some of the reasons we race addicts return to the salt, year after year.  Better known as "Salt Fever". 

TRANSPORT and ACCOMMODATION

Transportation from Salt Lake City to Wendover is available by two companies: 

from downtown Salt Lake at the Red Lion Hotel:  Lebus 1-800-366-0288    LeBus Web Site

from the Salt Lake City Area:  Donna’s Tours 1-775-664-3414     Wendover Schedule .pdf

Speed Week consists of six days of racing (Sat—Fri), weather and conditions permitting. ALL vehicles are allowed to run every day of the event. There are no special days for motorcycles or cars, etc.

There is no camping ON the salt. EVERYONE must exit the salt when the staging lanes have closed for the day.

Private campgrounds and hookups are available in nearby Wendover. Entry passes onto the salt are $10/day or $40/week. You can purchase them at the entrance to the salt.

Spectators are allowed to walk through the pits, view the vehicles, and talk to the drivers and crew members. Public parking is south of the pit area, on the west side of the race track, outside of the cones.

Be sure to bring a hat, and shade from the sun. If you intend to set up a 'semi-permanent' spectator area, you must secure a tarp as a floor covering on the salt. Don’t forget your camera and bring lots of film, because you will want to remember everything you see. Binoculars are also a great idea since the race vehicles are at least 1/4 mile away as they travel down the course.

There will be vendors located on the salt for food, refreshments, eyewear, sunscreen & much more.

Hotel and accommodation information is available through the Wendover Tourism and Convention Bureau, 1-775-664-3138 or Toll Free 1-866-299-2489.

The organisers would be grateful if visitors and entrants could pick up ALL of their waste take it away in an effort to preserve the salt. There will be dumpsters provided.

The colors, excitement, people and smells are some of the reasons we race addicts return to the salt, year after year. Better known as "Salt Fever."

LINKS:

World Finals Results 2003

Speed Week Results 2002

World Finals Results 2002

Wendover Weather

Food and Lodging

Spectator Info

Bonneville Nationals Inc.(BNI)

The Bonneville Nationals Inc. hosts a spectacular week of racing on the Bonneville salt flats each year in August, which is the highlight of the Land Speed Racing season. Anyone can become a member of the BNI by simply filling out a membership form and sending it in with the membership fee. This membership allows you to enter a vehicle for competition at any of the events held on the salt flats each year.

To become a BNI member - click here  (This form is an Adobe Acrobat document)

JOIN BEFORE SPEED WEEK AND YOUR MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE:

A BNI membership card, Bonneville Nationals Speed Week entry pin, embroidered patch, Bonneville Nationals Speed Week poster, SCTA Rules and Records book, Bonneville Nationals Speed Week program, BNI decal and 4 issues of the Straightaway News.

Southern California Timing Association (SCTA)

The Southern California Timing Association is comprised of 12 racing clubs located in Southern California. The SCTA governs all Land Speed Racing that occurs on the El Mirage dry lake located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles. In order to become a member of the SCTA, you must first join one of the twelve clubs and perform club duties during the racing season each year (May-Nov).

To see the clubs - click here

SCTA - Associate Membership

The SCTA Associate Membership is for individuals who do not want to actually race a vehicle for one of the clubs at El Mirage dry lake, but would like to hold an associate position and receive all of the literature about the racing season.

To become an Associate  member - click here

BNI Membership Form 

Medical Form Page 

Speed Week Pre-Entry Form

Additional Trophy Form

SCHEDULE - AUGUST 12 - 18 2006

Friday 12th

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Technical inspection, registration and pit setup.

7:00 am ...Pits open, inspection and registration.

10:30 am ...Course stewards meeting, registration area.

11:00 am ....Driver/Crew meeting (all drivers)

11:30 am....New driver/crew meeting and orientation (all NEW drivers & crews must attend)

12:00 noon (+/-)...Racing begins! (staging lanes will be closed until all meetings are finished)

6:00 am ....Pits will open immediately upon arrival of the impound monitor.

7:00 am ....Racing on both courses will begin.

On this, OR the last day of racing, record runs will be in the evening.

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