Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats and the Great Salt Lake

Water on the salt flats - credit Lindsay Godfree

Along I-80 in western Utah from the Great Salt Lake to the Nevada border lies the Bonneville Salt Flats. Spread out on an ancient lake bottom of desert salt and sand, the salt flats are well known for the events that establish the world land-speed records. If you are driving across western Utah it seems uninteresting but thinking about the history of the region helps to keep from being bored and becoming drowsy.

Cross country drivers will see the shores of the Great Salt Lake, a remnant of Lake Bonneville, which remains salty because it does not have any outlets and much of the water evaporates leaving acres of salt behind. The flats in winter may be thinly covered in water from showers and the pumping of salt water from the Great Salt Lake to replenish the salt. Sunrise reflections remind us of the prehistoric lake that was once located there 32,000 years ago.

Mountain Reflections - credit Lindsay Godfree

The ancient Bonneville Lake covered much of North America taking up most of present-day Utah and extending into Idaho and Nevada. It was 1,000 feet deep and more than 19,691 square miles in area. The Lake existed until about 16,800 years ago when a large part of the water was released through the Red Rock Pass in Idaho. Then the climate changed, the lake dried up and left the Great Salt Lake, Utah Lake, Sevier Lake, Rush Lake, and Little Salt Lake as remnants.

Movies filmed at the salt flats include portions of Warlock, Independence Day, The World’s Fastest Indian, Gerry, The Tree of Life and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.

credit - USFRA

If you drive through Utah during the races, they say spectators are always welcome at the racing events. The fastest wheel driven cars in the world compete there, like the 427 mph, land-speed record holding Turbinator, or the Autopower Special which has been timed at 442 mph and other record setting cars. Among recent years entries are almost twenty other cars that have been timed at speeds over 300 mph.

If you are expecting modern conveniences you will be disappointed, there is not even a public address system or grandstands to sit in. While the racing is fast, the Salt Flats Racing experience is not. It is a relaxing good time; so bringing a good book, a newspaper or something to keep from getting bored. You can take a nap or work on your tan.

A list for first timers at the races includes:

Sunglasses and Sun Screen: There is lots of sunshine and it is reflected up off of the salt.Bring Shade: At least a hat. A free standing canopy, large umbrella, or screen tent.Folding chairs: There are no grandstands.Cooler and water: Refreshments and food are available at the track, but occasionally run short. Having a supply of drinking water is a must!Radios- AM and CB: For racer and race information is broadcast on 1610 AM. Racers and race officials communicate on CB frequencies and channel info is available at the track.Binoculars: Cars disappear fast!!!

From the Rookie Spectators Guide: by Tim Marinan

Admission: $10.00 per day includes Pit access

Directions to Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway: Interstate highway I-80 take Exit 4, proceed north on Salt Flats 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.

Authors note: I must confess that I have never tried to take a semi-truck to the speedway. I have only dreamed of what it must be like, especially after seeing the movie, “The World’s Fastest Indian” which I thoroughly enjoyed.

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