Bonneville - Speedweek 2011

I'm not one of the guys who goes to Bonneville to take picture of their car on the salt then complains about how hot it is the rest of the time.  Well, I don't have a car worthy of that photo yet, anyway.  I don't go just to say I've been, or as an excuse to go to the casinos in lovely West Wendover.  I go to Bonneville to see the most varied group of vehicles you'll ever see in one place all try to accomplish the same thing:  Go faster than anyone else (in their individual class) has before.  I go to talk to the folks who are trying to break records about what they think is going to do it for them this year.  I enjoy the contrast and camaraderie;  million-dollar machines against shoe-string budget entries, and how one will help the other at the drop of a hat.

This year, I was lucky enough to assist Paul Heady in his try at bettering the Vintage Fuel Altered class record that he currently holds.  Paul is a friend of Clay Slaughter, who, with Mike Galli were going to meet me at the Salt Flats anyway, so when Clay found out Paul needed a hand this year, he volunteered us all as crew.  Unfortunately, we came close, but didn't quite beat it.

Paul Heady's '34 Coupe 

The Pit 

Clayton quick-changin'

After a few days of tryin' we exhausted all our available options, so Paul decided to throw in the towel.  With my time free, I was able to check out what others were up to and get some photography done.  Here's some of the stuff I shot on the salt and in Wendover:

Okay, okay: the flames might be a bit much, but I liked the shot anyways. 

On Sunday night, it pissed down rain, and on Monday, there was a pretty deep lake at the end of the access road, so a bunch of cars were left there, rather than salt dipped.  Gee, darn:  That won't make a good photo at all! 

Always been a favorite of mine 

Sorry there's so may shots of this car, but it just kills me.  Couldn't be helped. 

Salt bath aftermath. 

Thanks tons to Paul and crew for putting us up, (or should I say putting up with us).  Months later, I'm still thinking about what a great trip it was.  But then, I suppose that I could say that every year.  Yet another thought to keep one warm through the winter months...  Next year.