ENDURING

Bonneville Speed Week 2023 Perseverance Amid Nature's Setbacks

- MARC GEWERTZ & JOHN MCGANN

The Bonneville Salt Flats in Western Utah are so flat that people say you can see the curvature of the earth, yet they are so barren that not even the simplest life forms can exist. However, there is one thing that does thrive there: speed. Every August, racers are drawn to the salt from around the world in their quest for speed. This year, the 75th annual Speed Week, Mother Nature threw a wrench in those plans.

The world's fastest racetrack was brought to a halt before a single race car even went down the course by a rainstorm that blew across the Bonneville Salt Flats just days before the event, leaving the racecourse under several inches of water. There was cause for concern as anyone who was there last year remembers this scenario all too well. In 2022, the salt was flooded and the Southern California Timing Association (SCTA) was forced to cancel the event. Was this déjà vu all over again?

The SCTA officials kept a close eye on the salt, monitoring the water level twice a day. The 90-degree weather was helping the water recede, but would it dry out enough to race? As the salt continued to dry, tech inspection got under way at the Wendover Airport on Friday and continued through Sunday. Finally, some good news. SCTA officials announced Sunday afternoon that the salt would open on Monday morning and racing would start on Tuesday. Racers were lined up at 6:00 a.m. Monday morning to get onto the salt but had to drive through two miles of ankle-deep water to reach the pit area.

Tuesday, the salt opened at 6:30 a.m., and a huge crowd gathered at the base of the makeshift tower for opening ceremonies. An emotional Bill Lattin (the SCTA President) said, "We're going to get through this as best we can. Now let's go racing and have some fun." Those 18 words resonated with those in attendance, and was followed by a huge round of applause from the crowd gathered on the salt.