2 Sluggo's Garage
- Thread starter rmalkow2
- Start date
Good first day old racing on the salt. By end of Saturday there were already well over 400 entries, more than all last year. Lots of returning cars and lots new to me that I have not seen in 4 years coming back out to run along with the brand new rookies this year.
But it wouldn’t be Speed Week without some weather drama. Thursday night high winds (micro bursts up to 80 mph) knocked down all the cones, flags, signs and porta potties. Brings new meaning to the old saying (sh_t gone sideways!)
But the SCTA crew and many volunteers (including Thomas and Lou) put it all back together in hours so racing could start Saturday.
Meeting some great people, seeing very cool cars and motorcycles and having a great time.
But it wouldn’t be Speed Week without some weather drama. Thursday night high winds (micro bursts up to 80 mph) knocked down all the cones, flags, signs and porta potties. Brings new meaning to the old saying (sh_t gone sideways!)
But the SCTA crew and many volunteers (including Thomas and Lou) put it all back together in hours so racing could start Saturday.
Meeting some great people, seeing very cool cars and motorcycles and having a great time.
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Sunday, day two of racing. Weather is great although there are warnings of more wildfire smoke coming tonight So we’ll enjoy today and see what tomorrow brings.
We have our expanded set up in place, all the scooters gassed up and running most of the time. The Scoot Squad is ready for some action.
Even Fred the Flamingo is watching for cool cars to go by us.
We have our expanded set up in place, all the scooters gassed up and running most of the time. The Scoot Squad is ready for some action.
Even Fred the Flamingo is watching for cool cars to go by us.
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don long
Well-known member
The flamingo is a nice touch. We had one follow us on a vacation one year and he did all the reporting to our friends of our adventure.
xtremek
Well-known member
How's the salt holding up. Wish I could be there. Have some extra fun for those of us watching from the bleachers.
The salt is really hard flat and smooth this year because Utah is in a bad drought. It’s only 1/2” thick most places but making a fast surface. Lots of new records set and lots of different cars attending than I’ve seen in the past 4 years.
Put it on your list for next year. If you like fast vehicles you won’t regret it.
More from the staging lanes…..
Roadster classes were very well attended this year including this beautiful example in a blue that just popped in the sunshine.
We had lots of smoke from California wildfires but it did not detract from racing or how great the vehicles looked.
Roadster classes were very well attended this year including this beautiful example in a blue that just popped in the sunshine.
We had lots of smoke from California wildfires but it did not detract from racing or how great the vehicles looked.
Built in 1957 the 444 Little Giant from Team Vesco has had many engines over the years but this year was different because it used 2 Tesla motors and battery power for the first time. It just silently pulled away from the start line and went 280 mph (exit speed) on its first run. Pretty impressive!
Bob
Bob
One more classic from Bonneville 2021. A belly tank lakester running a Blown Ardun head Ford Flathead engine from Ron’s Hobby Shop in New York. Ron is an expert at building these old motors. Just classic speed, this beauty ran 206mph against a 187mph existing record in its first attempt. I gotta look up the final results and see it it was able to back that up the next day.
Also, had the opportunity on Tuesday to meet up with Thomas and Lou from the 1930’s Garage. They both look great and are still volunteering for the SCTA each year. They do a great job and it’s always nice to see some friendly faces from GJ.
Also, had the opportunity on Tuesday to meet up with Thomas and Lou from the 1930’s Garage. They both look great and are still volunteering for the SCTA each year. They do a great job and it’s always nice to see some friendly faces from GJ.
Tomorrow (Sunday) I’m back on the road to Bonneville for the 2021 World of Speed event. This time to race a car and not just watch. My 2011 Ford Crown Vic Police Intercepter is prepped, in the trailer and every tool and spare part I could think of is packed as well. I’ll be on the salt starting next Thursday and hopefully making my first run on Friday the 10th. Racing continues the 11th and 12th. The goal is to see if we can get this old police car up to 130+ mph within a 1 mile timed distance. I’m excited for what will hopefully be the first of many future land speed attempts.
Chrisb62
Well-known member
Best of luck ....... you will not need “ luck”
Stay safe.......
Stay safe.......
ambenz
Well-known member
Just caught your thread, (wondering how I missed it?) ...cool stuff, right here. Subscribed. Mustangs too! And just on the other side of the puddle.
Long vacation to Bonneville to get your fix, the need for speed will do it to ya! LOL!
Don't know if you go to the Mustang Memories Show up at the Ford HQ and the Covid Road Tour they put on these last 2 years.
I've been there in 2017 and 2020. Got to see a cool private collection on the road tour too.
And of course there is Woodward...that T bucket would be cool to drive to Woodward.
Eats at the Ford's Garage, and a few other touristy things just east of you...but never been around your neck to the burbs....maybe some day.
Long vacation to Bonneville to get your fix, the need for speed will do it to ya! LOL!
Don't know if you go to the Mustang Memories Show up at the Ford HQ and the Covid Road Tour they put on these last 2 years.
I've been there in 2017 and 2020. Got to see a cool private collection on the road tour too.
And of course there is Woodward...that T bucket would be cool to drive to Woodward.
Eats at the Ford's Garage, and a few other touristy things just east of you...but never been around your neck to the burbs....maybe some day.
xtremek
Well-known member
What, no moon disks? Good luck.
Thanks Ambenz for subscribing and the good vibes. I just retired from Ford this year and while I’ve not gone to the events you named I usually take the roadster to the yearly employee car show in July but unfortunately Covid has cancelled it last year and this. If you get back on Woodward someday also check out the Vinsetta Garage for some good eats and very cool atmosphere. IT used to be an actual working garage back in the day and the current owners kept the vibe but made it a cool restaurant.
Bob
All in due time xtremek. This year I’ve left the car mostly stock to see what it can do as it was from the Police department. If I bring it again next year I will likely make some mods like lowering it, the moon discs and a hotter tune. We’ll get a baseline this year and I’ll learn the ropes.
Bob
Travel to Bonneville is going smoothly so far 
even if the roads are not smooth. I made it to Lincoln Nebraska earlier today and was hoping to go through the Speedway Museum of American Speed but they were closed on the holiday. It’s a fantastic museum but pretty hard to visit because of their very limited hours of operation. Maybe I‘ll try again on the way home next week. If you can get there I highly recommend it.
Bob
even if the roads are not smooth. I made it to Lincoln Nebraska earlier today and was hoping to go through the Speedway Museum of American Speed but they were closed on the holiday. It’s a fantastic museum but pretty hard to visit because of their very limited hours of operation. Maybe I‘ll try again on the way home next week. If you can get there I highly recommend it.Bob
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
We stopped there several years ago and I highly recommend it. Tons and tons of stuff to check out in there.
Metallitubby
Well-known member
Awesome updates. The stuff that shows up to Bonneville is always random, but really neat.
Thanks and I’ll keep posting what happens over the weekend. This is my first time at World of Speed so I don’t know how it compares to Speed Week. I expect it may be smaller in size but we’ll see. Really I don’t care if there are three people and two plastic cones. I’m still excited to run a car on the famed salt flats.
So, I posted these NASCAR on the Salt pics before from Speed Week but I didn’t know the back story then. I have since discovered the reason and group behind these beautiful re-creations. The Daytona is a rebirth of the Bobby Isaac car that ran on the salt 50 years ago and set speed records. The Talledaga is a re-creation of Donny Allisons car. There is no existing record class for NASCAR vehicles in the SCTA so this year they ran for time/speed only and both went over 200mph on wide NASCAR tires to boot! If you want the full story I highly recommend looking up The Garage Shop channel on You Tube and watch their videos. Really good stuff for old school race fans.
xtremek
Well-known member
I don't know if it's still true, but you used to be able to pick up a used Nascar ride for stupid cheap. like $20k for last years car.
Metallitubby
Well-known member
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
I don't think 4 and half hours is even enough time to check the place out. I think that when we did it you had to pick a start time since there was a guide that went with you to each area.
Other places we stopped at along 80 were the Union Pacific Golden Spike Tower (https://goldenspiketower.com/) and the Union Pacific Museum in Council Bluffs. The UP Big Boy was doing a tour, it might line up with your travel plans, there's a thread around here somewhere about it. The American Pickers place in Le Claire is also off the highway. We checked out Joilet Prison and there was a great chicken place called Chicken-N-Spice.
Enjoy! Any reason you didn't run at the earlier event? What's the difference between them?
You are right, I could spend 8more hours there studying every display but then, I’m a bit crazy.
I’ve seen many of the signs for Union Pacific sights to see and one day will have to pull off for those places. I’ve been to the Pickers place a few times and enjoy visiting. Likely with this 20ft trailer I’m pulling I will have to pass them by. It’s pretty tight maneuvering around their shop. Good suggestions all, thanks.
Bob
Wendover Will says “Howdy” ya’ll!!!
Made it to Bonneville this morning, got our pit area mostly set up and easily passed thru tech inspection. Since I’m running a mostly stock vehicle at this point its a pretty easy inspection process but was thankful none the less to not have any repairs to make.
Made it to Bonneville this morning, got our pit area mostly set up and easily passed thru tech inspection. Since I’m running a mostly stock vehicle at this point its a pretty easy inspection process but was thankful none the less to not have any repairs to make.
xtremek
Well-known member
Sounds like you're having fun. Thanks for keeping us in the loop.
World of Speed, day 2.
Finally got 3 runs in today and learning a lot about driving on the salt and about the capability of Crown Vic Police Interceptors. It’s remarkably consistent and given the challenge of only one mile from a standing start to go as fast as you can it seriously needs more power. Two runs today were 116.6 mph and one was 116.9 MPH. We tried various things to improve aerodynamics but no real improvement. I have three more runs tomorrow and will likely add more air pressure to the tires and attempt to get closer to at least 120 mph. I found some test reports online from State Police speed tests and they say it should hit 120 in one mile with a total top speed of 129 (distance required not known). Traction on the salt being less than regular pavement it becomes even harder. Quite a few people here trying this for the first time but not too many making the 130 mph club except for some pretty expensive rides. It’s harder than it sounds.
But I’m not complaining one bit. I’m having the time of my life realizing a dream to drive at speed on the salt flats and have the best pit crew ever (all my children).
Already thinking about next year.
The final run today was amazing as we got to race out towards a beautiful rainbow coming from the mountains.
Finally got 3 runs in today and learning a lot about driving on the salt and about the capability of Crown Vic Police Interceptors. It’s remarkably consistent and given the challenge of only one mile from a standing start to go as fast as you can it seriously needs more power. Two runs today were 116.6 mph and one was 116.9 MPH. We tried various things to improve aerodynamics but no real improvement. I have three more runs tomorrow and will likely add more air pressure to the tires and attempt to get closer to at least 120 mph. I found some test reports online from State Police speed tests and they say it should hit 120 in one mile with a total top speed of 129 (distance required not known). Traction on the salt being less than regular pavement it becomes even harder. Quite a few people here trying this for the first time but not too many making the 130 mph club except for some pretty expensive rides. It’s harder than it sounds.
But I’m not complaining one bit. I’m having the time of my life realizing a dream to drive at speed on the salt flats and have the best pit crew ever (all my children).
Already thinking about next year.
The final run today was amazing as we got to race out towards a beautiful rainbow coming from the mountains.
jon72vega
Well-known member
Bob,
That's really cool!
Sounds like a great time!
Thanks for sharing.
That's really cool!
Sounds like a great time!
Thanks for sharing.
xtremek
Well-known member
That sounds like a really great time
ShadowRuleZ
Well-known member
Wonder if you ever came back from the salt, hope things are going well.
Sorry I’ve been away a long time from GJ and this thread. Got back from my second trip to the Salt Flats and have been super busy since. I’ll get some updates posted here shortly of things going on around my shop. Some vehicles have been sold and a new one bought. Got many plans for the winter months and hoping that makes it go fast as I have lots of mods to make to the Crown Vic to get enough power to make the run at 130+ mph last year. I’ll plan to show those updates as they happen throughout the year. Hope all my GJ friends are doing well and I look forward to catching up on all your threads.
racer-john
Well-known member
Yeh, me too.