2015 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. Salt Course Condition Update.

bub1“We are still running” states Delvene Manning, event Manager/Owner of the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. It looks now like race motorcycles and their owners are going to be heading again to the salt to break AMA national and FIM world records August 29-September 3rd. “Last year and again this year, we are facing a particularly challenging environment for beginning course development. All of the community and fellow LSR race organizations want to see us run and we are all sharing information and resources to enable that to happen” says Delvene Manning.

bub2First Assessment. Based on conditions, the organization is cautiously optimistic. At this time racing seems possible because potential course locations that will support breaking records have been identified. Salt Conditions. Last weekend was the first onsite assessment by members of the course management team that consists of experienced racers and track officials with decades of experience on the salt. Based on their assessment which included discussions with other race organizations and with resources in the area, the organization is cautiously optimistic that the event will happen as planned.

Where is the Salt? There is still salt at the Bonneville Salt Flats. In this dynamic environment, the salt has moved. There is more salt in the western area than in the eastern section of the typical courses. The described conditions are similar to when a sand bar moves. This just means that, based on the salt location, course configurations will be adjusted. To follow…

9 Responses to “2015 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. Salt Course Condition Update.”


  1. 1 P. Hamilton Aug 11th, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Hope it works. Wanted to go for the 1st time!

  2. 2 TJ Martin Aug 11th, 2015 at 12:10 pm

    Hmmmn .. Interesting . Speedweek gets canceled because the conditions are so deplorable yet the BMST still thinks their September date is possible . A case of unfounded optimism perhaps or is it just plain ignorance of the facts ?

    But you want to know the best part when it comes to the Salt this year ? You know how ‘ officially ‘ the reasons given for the Salt’s horrible condition is the excess rain ?

    Have a good look at the current USGS and NOA drought maps of the US . Narrow it down to the Salt itself . Notice something a bit odd and contradictory ?

    Errr … according to both maps as well as every weather service/observer/monitor … the Salt is under a SEVERE drought

    Hmmmnnn ….

  3. 3 BadMonkeyMW Aug 11th, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    Where do you get your tinfoil hats, TJ? Also, how hard was it to get into Clown College?

  4. 4 Bubba Aug 12th, 2015 at 9:48 am

    TJ- There’s also been a ton of severe thunderstorms this year (which is common this time of the year).
    But I’m sure you knew that too….

  5. 5 Drew Aug 12th, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    “A case of unfounded optimism perhaps or is it just plain ignorance of the facts ?”

    I have worked at the BMST for 10 years, and find your above remarks to be poorly chosen. Unless one has current, up to date, on site, first hand knowledge, their comments are a waste of everyone’s time. All involved be they competitor or staff are without a doubt optimistic, because WE WANT TO RACE!!

    STAY CALM
    AND
    LAISSEZ LES BON TEMPS ROULER 🙂 🙂 🙂

  6. 6 Joe Mielke Aug 12th, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    Drew, Spot on! my friend!!!!

  7. 7 nicker Aug 12th, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    Drew,
    Sounds about right.
    Lets face it, if ya plan for failure that’s certainly what you’ll get…… 🙂

    -nicker-

  8. 8 Horst Rösler Aug 12th, 2015 at 10:21 pm

    Don’t be shocked by the images you see accompanying the news on Cyrils Blog, most of them I took in 2014 when the SF were severely flooded and SCTA had to cancel on very short notice. so these images are OLD NEWS. Who ever has current images can forward them to Cyril, but as we all know who have been out there for years, rain can happen. The flooding is really nothing new and has happened in previous decades too – all events there can be upset by weather or salt conditions, as long-term participants know. This is nothing you can influence – only hope for dry weather in the next weeks, since again we have racers from all over the US and Europe coming – and some big names too.

    For those who are interested in the state of things with the salt, the very engaged and active LSR-specialist & phographer Land Speed Louise has recently had airtime at a radio station with a geologist, talking about the Bonneville Salt Flats. I personally had no time to listen yet, but I certainly will. Check it out at:

    http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/shrinking-salt-flats

    We have seen the salt drying in surprisingly fast time – and we hope for the best, as always! The Motorcycle Speed Trials 2014 were probably the only event to squeeze some tracktime out of the salt last year – and the team is working on it with the utmost effort.

  9. 9 LarryC Aug 15th, 2015 at 11:10 am

    Good job Delvene and crew, anyone who has spent time on the salt flats knows anything is possible. Water, wind, etc. it can all change so quickly and change the course, one way or the other. Salt Flat racers are a tenacious and optimistic bunch, keep it up !!

Comments are currently closed.
Cyril Huze