I would like to check out Speed Week at Bonneville - Help

[Supersport350]

When we leave San Diego this weekend, I was hoping to pass through Bonneville to check out speed week for a few hours, to at least say I've been there. The problem is that Salt Lake City seems to be about 11+ hrs from San Diego, easily doable. I am concerned however about finding a hotel, and a hotel at a reasonable rate. I assume this will be hard with speed week going on.

We have a 2 yr old daughter, but she has been simply awesome on this trip. Still, I'm only looking at a few hours at the flats and then hitting the road. Any suggestions as to small towns to stay in perhaps a bit short of Bonneville? Ideally, I'd like to be a little ways away, that way the next morning we could drive a few hours, stop at Bonneville to take a break and watch some racing, and then hit the road. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[DanStokes]

I'm thinking Salt Lake City might be your best bet. It's almost exactly 2 hours from the track. Wendover will be pretty much sold out but there might be some space at the casinos in West Wendover but be prepared to pay - they won't be cheap.

Dan

[LORENSWIFE]

Supersport350!
I am so sorry Loren and I couldn't make it to the Escondido Cruise, I am in the middle of the Olympics right now and Friday just turned into bedlam! I so hope you guys enjoyed it! I am bummed I missed the opportunity to see your baby! (Love babies)

Dan, I love the name of that town West Wendover, but if there are casinos there shouldn't it be called Best Bendover!?!

[squirrel]

It's definitely worth stopping by for a few hours, if that's all you can manage. It's a rather hostile environment as far as little kids are concerned, so be prepared with your own shade, sunscreen, sun glasses, water, etc.

Nevada is a wasteland up thereabouts. It makes trip planning challenging.

[TheSilverBuick]

I'm thinking Salt Lake City might be your best bet. It's almost exactly 2 hours from the track. Wendover will be pretty much sold out but there might be some space at the casinos in West Wendover but be prepared to pay - they won't be cheap.

Dan

Yup. Salt Lake is 2 hours, maybe an hour and a half on the west side, Ely is almost 2 hours, and Elko is probably around 2 hours.

[BangShiftChad]

Drive from San Diego to Ely Nevada. Stay the night there, then cruise the two hours to Bonneville, hang out for a few hours, and then drive on to Salt Lake City. It's the most direct option that won't have you back tracking. Ely is little, but you should be able to find a cheap spot to stay for the night and be comfortable.

If I were you, that is what I would do. Plus the drive from Ely to Bville is easy and nice. Then when you get to Bville you will need to make sure you have shade, sunscreen, food and drinks. Although you can get food and drinks on the salt with no trouble, and they don't kill you on prices but still not cheap. Bring your cooler, floppy hats, and enjoy. It's amazingly awesome and we'll all be there.

[TheSilverBuick]

Drive from San Diego to Ely Nevada. Stay the night there, then cruise the two hours to Bonneville, hang out for a few hours, and then drive on to Salt Lake City. It's the most direct option that won't have you back tracking. Ely is little, but you should be able to find a cheap spot to stay for the night and be comfortable.

If I were you, that is what I would do. Plus the drive from Ely to Bville is easy and nice. Then when you get to Bville you will need to make sure you have shade, sunscreen, food and drinks. Although you can get food and drinks on the salt with no trouble, and they don't kill you on prices but still not cheap. Bring your cooler, floppy hats, and enjoy. It's amazingly awesome and we'll all be there.

^^Agree with above. If I wasn't already at Bonneville I'd say hello in Ely.

[Supersport350]

Ok, I'm starting to have second thoughts. Aside from slim pickings regarding close/affordable hotels, I'm wondering if it's ok to bring our daughter too. It sounds like it's pretty brutal, and considering our daughter is 20 months old, doesn't sound like it would be too much fun for her. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like it would probably be pretty miserable for her. Let me know your thoughts.

[SpiderGearsMan]

geez , it's on the side of the interstate

[squirrel]

You'll generally be pretty far away from any cars that are running, so noise isn't really a problem. As long as you have adequate shade (a stroller with a good sized top, and a few blankets would probably do it) she should be ok for a few hours.

[TheSilverBuick]

Depending what you are used too, it's going to be sub-100*F and very low humidity until the afternoons, which may or may not cloud up. A little shade on a stroller or a good wide brimmed hat and I don't see any problems walking around for a day or so. Mall parking lots in San Diego are far far worse.

[DanStokes]

Either slather up with sunscreen and/or wear long pants and shirt sleeves. You can get sunburned in a nanosecond. Watch the baby carefully! Still, she should do well. Oh, and take binoculars or similar device. Like Jim said, you can't get real close to the action although you can get close to the cars in the pit areas. They keep you back in case one of the cars spins, which happens all the time and is considered no big deal (I'd need new BVDs if I was driving!). It's as close to Mars as you can get on this planet.

And Gail - it IS called West Bendover!

Dan

[squirrel]

I don't want to scare you off! I just want you to be prepared. You should be fine, as long as you know what you're getting into and take the necessary supplies.

[Dynoroom]

Chads advice is spot on. This is the best way to get the most time on the salt and not have to back track.

Bonneville is a desert. You can see a lot from your car driving around. You need shade if you are outside for any length of time. Water & sun glasses too as the glare is a real problem, even for tots.

You will enjoy it and it will make you want to return.

My youngest was 3 on his first trip to Bonneville, he's driving my race car this year again.

[Dynoroom]

Chads advice is spot on. This is the best way to get the most time on the salt and not have to back track.

Bonneville is a desert. You can see a lot from your car driving around. You need shade if you are outside for any length of time. Water & sun glasses too as the glare is a real problem, even for tots.

You will enjoy it and it will make you want to return.

My youngest was 3 on his first trip to Bonneville, he's driving my race car this year again.