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Dave Beedon | all galleries >> Places >> Utah >> Wendover Area >> Bonneville Salt Flats and Speedway >> Bonneville Salt Flats: World Land Speed Record Rained Out > Salt Boy ponders a new world land speed record
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26-JUN-2005 Dave Beedon and Joe Tripod

Salt Boy ponders a new world land speed record

Bonneville Salt Flats (Wendover, Utah)

To stand on salt is to contemplate the meaning of life. In my case, that means wondering
about the ability to go faster (800 mph) than any other person has on land. The Bonneville
Speedway is the best place to do this (very long course, superb scenery, lots of salt).
My October 2006 trip to Utah included a visit to “Bonneville.”

The white buildings on the "salt horizon" are in or near the city of Wendover, at least five
miles (8km) away. The vehicles to the right are parked at the end of the salt flats access road.

Joe Tripod, my personal photographic assistant, had a velocity of zero while helping with this shot.

UPDATE AS OF 7/12/07: The Subaru will not be used to attempt a new World Land
Speed Record because I sold it. Its replacement, which will easily reach
700 mph is shown in another photo.
To get it to 800 mph I might have to have a custom spoiler installed.

.


other sizes: small medium large auto
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Monte Dodge04-Oct-2006 14:56
Dave " Channeling" the spirit of Craig Breedlove to help the 82 hp subi EA 82 motor in his " Conquest!
1moremile04-Oct-2006 09:30
I guess I kind of meant both. It is really a nice scene, though. Nice exposure. Is that a tour bus in the background? Sharp lens.
Dave Beedon01-Oct-2006 05:35
About the snow...
If you meant the snow on the ground, the answer is zero inches (0cm).
If you meant the snow job in the picture's title, the depth is not measurable.
Dave Beedon30-Sep-2006 19:26
Larry, have you ever Forded a stream with your vehicle?
1moremile30-Sep-2006 00:24
I believe you, Dave, about the rocket on top of the Subaru. It never worked for me, though.
Then again, I do have a Ford so I had a strike against me before I even started.
1moremile30-Sep-2006 00:22
How deep was the snow?
Guest 29-Sep-2006 11:50
Dave, you may want to check to see if your pit boss is placing bets on the outcome of your attempt, and which of two likely outcomes he is backing.
Dave Beedon29-Sep-2006 03:37
The attempt has been re-thought: my pit boss is convinced that the tires will handle 900 mph.
Guest 29-Sep-2006 02:03
I don't know but I do think that you may be compacted in a flash, so the name of the card is a signal (omen?) to rethink the attempt.
Dave Beedon29-Sep-2006 00:13
Steve, it is bad form to beg to someone who might soon give his life in the service of mankind. In addition, it is pointless: the D100 would not survive the 800 mph impact (I will have it in the cockpit with me so I can take one-handed photos while zooming down the Speedway). Do you know if breaking the sound barrier reformats CompactFlash cards?
Guest 28-Sep-2006 19:58
Evil Kneival would be proud of you, Dave. Can I have your Nikon D100? :>}
Dave Beedon26-Sep-2006 01:32
Lee, you fell for my deception as so many others have: the bike is there to give the impression that I will use it in the attempt. What people don't suspect is that I will do it in BLU WGN. The idea that a Subaru station wagon can go 800mph is unthinkable, thus my accomplishment will be all the more amazing. What appears to be a whale-shaped cargo box is actually a rocket engine in a streamlined shell. The shell acts as a spoiler to keep my synthetic Kevlar tires firmly on the salt (natural Kevlar isn't up to the task). Explosive bolts allow me to jettison the device if I run into trouble at speed. Not visible from this angle is the braking chute on the rear door. I hope to reach 800 mph within the 12-mile length of the Bonneville Speedway. If more distance is required, I will be the first person to slam into Floating Island. The resulting crater would be of massive proportion. If that occurs, please ask the Utah Board of Geographic Names to assign my name to the crater to honor my earthly flame-out. Note how the front of my pants has faded.
Lee G25-Sep-2006 18:09
The Lance Armstonge non-doped speed bike you carry should be all you need to shatter the current speed record.
Did you see the recent movie "Worlds Fastest Indian"? If not check it out..good Anthony Hopkins story of a man and his quest to break a record at the Bonneville Salt Flats .
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