Bonneville Salt Flats

[thomsbrain]

I'm planning a road trip this summer that will take me past the Bonneville Salt Flats. Anyone ever messed around there? How bad will the salt be on the car? I'm from California and my car has never seen salt.

As far as I can tell, if there isn't an event going on, it's pretty much a free-for-all. Any reason NOT to hit top speed?

 

[JCH13]

I'm planning a road trip this summer that will take me past the Bonneville Salt Flats. Anyone ever messed around there? How bad will the salt be on the car? I'm from California and my car has never seen salt.

As far as I can tell, if there isn't an event going on, it's pretty much a free-for-all. Any reason NOT to hit top speed?

If you're confident in your brakes, tires, drive line, and suspension, go for it. I wouldn't do it in the car that had to get me home though, heh.

 

[Childs]

I'm planning a road trip this summer that will take me past the Bonneville Salt Flats. Anyone ever messed around there? How bad will the salt be on the car? I'm from California and my car has never seen salt.

As far as I can tell, if there isn't an event going on, it's pretty much a free-for-all. Any reason NOT to hit top speed?

I think your underside has to be exposed to salt and water over an extended period of time for it to be a problem. As in live in an area with snow year after year. People run their cars on the salt flats, so it can't be that big of an issue or else no one would do it.

 

[MixMasterTang]

I'm planning a road trip this summer that will take me past the Bonneville Salt Flats. Anyone ever messed around there? How bad will the salt be on the car? I'm from California and my car has never seen salt.

As far as I can tell, if there isn't an event going on, it's pretty much a free-for-all. Any reason NOT to hit top speed?

You have never driven your car close to the ocean?

 

[thomsbrain]

You have never driven your car close to the ocean?

Ha, of course I have, but I meant that California doesn't salt their roads for ice (they use sand instead), so my car has next to zero rust.

I'm definitely confident in the status of the car. Suspension is basically all-new this month, brakes are new, timing belt and water pump are brand new, tires are Michelins rated for more than the top speed of the car, and are at ~80% tread life. I also installed Hella 500 off-road lights in preparation for this drive and plan on driving the flats with everything lit up like a supernova so my car is visible to others.

My plan is to drive out into the flats 3-4 miles and make sure the salt is solid, then turn around, mount the GoPro, strap on my helmet, and hit top speed on the way back to the road. I will wash the car afterwards, of course.

 

[thomsbrain]

There's seriously no one in this forum of pale-skinned, pansy, couch-jockeys who has driven flat out on the flats?

 

[Doppel]

Can you really just get on there and go? They're not regulated in some manner?

 

[manimal]

Can you really just get on there and go? They're not regulated in some manner?

How come I have never heard of this wizardry before? I want to go yesterday.

 

[herm0016]

i have been wanting to go out there. don't forget to see the tree!

and you must post the video. MUST!!

taking the s2k?

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

Its a pretty big area, and its somewhat remote. I've never actually been there though.

A quick Google:

The Bonneville Salt Flats is administered by the Bureau of Land Management for public use and enjoyment. Due to its unique geology, history, and scenic beauty, the Bonneville Salt Flats was designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern in 1985.
Help preserve the Bonneville Salt Flats!

• Stay on existing roads or areas designated for vehicles. Despite the appearance of a hard surface, much of the area is a thin salt crust over soft mud. It easily breaks under the weight of a vehicle.
• Stay off the salt surface when it is covered by water. When wet, the salt surface is soft and easily damaged by vehicles. Furthermore, the salt water is highly corrosive and can "short-out" the electrical system in your vehicle.
• Be prepared for desert conditions. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and drop well below 0 in the winter.
• There are no facilities or services on the salt flats. Temporary facilities are available during racing events.
• Overnight stays are prohibited on the salt flats. Camping is encouraged on surrounding public lands. Private campgrounds and hookups are available in nearby Wendover, ten miles west of the Bonneville Salt Flats. Other accommodations and services are also available in Wendover. Call 1-866-299-2489 for more information.

http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm

 

[manimal]

Its a pretty big area, and its somewhat remote. I've never actually been there though.

A quick Google:

The Bonneville Salt Flats is administered by the Bureau of Land Management for public use and enjoyment. Due to its unique geology, history, and scenic beauty, the Bonneville Salt Flats was designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern in 1985.
Help preserve the Bonneville Salt Flats!

• Stay on existing roads or areas designated for vehicles. Despite the appearance of a hard surface, much of the area is a thin salt crust over soft mud. It easily breaks under the weight of a vehicle.
• Stay off the salt surface when it is covered by water. When wet, the salt surface is soft and easily damaged by vehicles. Furthermore, the salt water is highly corrosive and can "short-out" the electrical system in your vehicle.
• Be prepared for desert conditions. Temperatures can exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and drop well below 0 in the winter.
• There are no facilities or services on the salt flats. Temporary facilities are available during racing events.
• Overnight stays are prohibited on the salt flats. Camping is encouraged on surrounding public lands. Private campgrounds and hookups are available in nearby Wendover, ten miles west of the Bonneville Salt Flats. Other accommodations and services are also available in Wendover. Call 1-866-299-2489 for more information.

http://www.utah.com/playgrounds/bonneville_salt.htm

so basically you and a few friends can go camp there each driving their own car. Then proceed to enjoy yourselves driving fast on a dry bed as long as your are prepared for it?
sign me up

edit merde I would just trailer a car anyways! boom

 

[ballmode]

Just take the car to an auto wash to get the underspray. When you get back hose off the wheels as any salt on aluminum can literally mold the lug nuts into the wheel

 

[Ronstang]

There's seriously no one in this forum of pale-skinned, pansy, couch-jockeys who has driven flat out on the flats?

I've driven flat out more than I care to admit but I live too far away for it to have been at Bonneville.

 

[styrafoam]

Assuming you are taking I80 east and your schedule matches up you would probably have more fun at Miller Motorsports.

http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/get-on-track/wide-open-wednesday.html

Live in SLC area and haven't ever been to the flats, don't have a car worth taking.

Also, the strip of I80 from Wendover, Nevada to SLC is speed trap central, even more so on the weekends. Highway patrol hides in the medians, behind berms, and beneath overpasses.

 

[nerp]

I'd never take my car on there. No amount of spraying is going to get the salt out of every nook and cranny. The flats are for project cars, beaters, and race cars that aren't meant to look nice in a parking lot when you run errands.