Photo by: Holly Martin Photography

The world of land speed racing is gearing up for the annual Bonneville Speed Week organized by the SCTA (Southern California Timing Association) and BNI (Bonneville Nationals Inc.). For those who are new to LSR the historic Bonneville Salt Flats play host to the record attempts made by racing enthusiasts who gather from around the globe. For one week the Salt Flats of Bonneville become the Mecca for those who like fast cars and setting new world records. Every year there is guaranteed history being made and that’s what makes Speed Week such a craze.   

Folks have been setting records on the northwestern flats in Utah as far back as 1935. The duel committee in charge of Speed Week affirms that the sheer beauty and awe of the landscape imparts something they like to call salt fever. Whatever it is, it’s serious enough to keep enthusiasts, both drivers and spectators alike, coming back year after year to be a part of the historic runs.

If you’re as excited as we are you’re probably just as eager for the weekend to come. Saturday, the 10th will kick off Bonneville Speed Week. It will run through Friday, the 16th. For those who can’t make it this year to catch their dose of salt fever, don’t fret, the committee is doing its best to provide live audio coverage of the week. 

Speed Week Highlights

There are a few cars that have the guys here at Rod Authority dropping our ratchets and we hope the best for each and every one of the driver’s and their pit teams. You’ll see that during Speed Week there’s something for everyone – from hot rods to modified sports cars to streamliners that are practically jets cruising on their landing gears. Of course our eyes are focused on the lines of hot rods out there and there’s nothing like a good old classic to contrast the newer mods of today.

Here are a few special rides to keep an eye on throughout the week:

Bombshell Betty

This tank of a gal is the proud lady of Jeff Brock. An artist by trade, Brock’s ’52 Buick Super Riviera has carved out records on the salt every single year she’s visited!

Her debut was at the 2008 Bonneville Speed Week. She left racers and spectator’s mouths agape. She is, after all, a full bodied lady packing some serious heat. Would you expect any less?

Betty was found by Brock in an abandoned lumber mill near Phoenix, Arizona. Since then he has cared for her, embracing her rough edges, all the while coaxing her inner beast through constant fab and performance upgrades. Betty is a true delight to behold and we wish Jeff Brock and his team the best of luck!

Black Salt Racing

Black Salt Racing will be at this year’s event with their modified Triumph GT6 sports car. In 2011 they set the record for 1st Modified Sports Car to reach over 300 m.p.h which was astounding. To boot, during their back up run an engine fire was triggered, but nonetheless they still set the record.

These guys are, frankly, some down right speed freaks and this year they’re shooting to break that record again pushing it to 400+ m.p.h.!

Rod Authority wishes Black Salt Racing and their modified Triumph the best of luck on their runs. We also wish you the best in safety, but seeing as your speed demon is fire proof, we’re sure you’ll be just fine.

Danny Thompson

The resurrected father-son project of Mickey and Danny Thompson is gearing up to touch tire to salt after a quarter century. Although Danny and his team won’t be ready for the 2013 Speed Week they are shooting to complete initial assembly by October in order to run tests by the end of the year. They are reaching out to the public for financial aid. With your help they hope to have the Challenger II ready to break out on the flats for Speed Week 2014.

The story of this build is truly inspiring and delves deep into our hearts. We look forward to the outcome of Danny, The Challenger II, and his team-we are rooting for you. But, no matter the result your mission is priceless, and to us, you’ve already won.

With Speed Week just less than a day away we extend our hearts and hopes out to each and every one of those carrying on the tradition that started so long ago. You are not only a testament to the hot rod industry but to the automobile in its entirety.

As we say here at Power Automedia, “We believe in the magic of the automobile.” We thank all of you for believing with us too. Catch you on the flats!