Let’s lay one thing down.
Bonneville is hot. Hot, hot, hot!
The most comfortable part of the day here in Western Utah is
early, early morning. And given that
everyone was keen to get out the salt, get set-up and get going, the word on
the ‘Motel 6 street’ – Motel 6 is pretty much where most of the racers stay -
was that the line for the ‘get-in’ for set-up and scrutineering was going to start
before ‘sun-up.’
And there was no way of keeping Phil and Miki in their beds
anyway with the salt within their reach, and their mission to Bonneville
already in flow. Leaving the motel in the pitch black, the only
lights were the sparkles of the nearby casinos and we cruised out to the
speedway. Tail lights glowed as we got
near to the ‘boat ramp’ and an orange line began to glow on the horizon.
We stepped out of the Jeep to immediately meet, and feel
super welcomed by, every single person in the line. With an air of reverence, people from all
across the States, and beyond, watched for the slow sunrise making its
appearance, and for the gates to open.
And coffee, Bloody Marys and all manner of offers of tools and help, and
anything needed, came from all angles.
It was immediately obvious that the Bonneville community is one
of the warmest anywhere on a racing circuit.
As the sun rolled up, gate registration took place and then
the gates were declared open and we rode out off the ‘boat ramp’ and drove onto
the cherished salt for the first time.
Various riders had paid an extra £100 to register a day
early so various part of the pits and team camps were already set up, alongside
the tech and management areas. As the
sun continued to rise, we found our spot right on the edge of the tracks, on
the carpet of endless white and got the set-up going.
We lucked out with our random picking of the spot next to
the Edwards Racing crew! Simon Edwards, his brother David and mate Howard,
headed to Bonneville a number of years ago, with nothing but a tarp for cover
and protection. Everyone looked after
them, and now they repay the karma – in spades – every year, helping Rookies
like ourselves, find their Bonney feet.
The next nerve wracking part of the process was scrutineering
– which was a long and very hot line, but both guys got through thorough checks
with flying colours. It always pays to
religiously study the rule book, know your category inside out and these guys
had most certainly done that.
Then came one of the most useful elements from a racing
perspective: a Rookie course induction and tour. Driving out along the actual course, seeing
the markers and flags and understanding the system would pay immediate benefits
once the team hit the flats for real.
