2014 Bonneville Racing Season Report

Chris Conrad of Milwaukee, Wis., set a new class record at the USFRA “World of Speed” event in September with his MG Midget. (Simon Davidson photo courtesy of Chris Conrad)

The 2014 Bonneville Racing Season was intended to be a celebration of 100 years of Speed on the Salt. It seems that the 2014 weather did not cooperate with all of the planned events. Both events organized by the Southern California Timing Assoc. (SCTA) and Bonneville Nationals, Inc. (BNI) were cancelled due to rain and bad salt conditions. These included Speed Weeks in August and The World Finals in October.

The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association was able to run two events. For the first time in many years the USFRA hosted a July event. The July Test-N-Tune was a great Meet, with excellent weather, and a quality prepared racing course. Approximately 50 racers used this rare July opportunity to prepare newly constructed vehicles for upcoming Competition events. The July event was such a success, that the USFRA plans a repeat of that event. Test-N-Tune 2015 is scheduled for July 8-13, 2015.

The USFRA’s annual September World of Speed event was also a success, in spite of August rains that left the salt damp in places. We had 280 entries in the various classes, that attendance and participation being the largest USFRA event ever. There were 50 SCTA Competition Class records set, three new members inducted into the prestigious 200 MPH and one new member inducted into the 300 MPH Chapter.

The 130 MPH Club gained 21 racers who achieved a two run average over 130MPH in street legal vehicles, and 14 additional racers earned membership in the 150 MPH Club. Additionally the VW Challenge had excellent participation, and speeds as high as Gabe Adams' 187.077 MPH. The VW Challenge group has grown to be one of the largest and most interesting groups that grace Bonneville’s World of Speed each year.

Fast – Pass of the Meet: Danny Thompson, Speed 424.858 MPH
Fast – Bike of the Meet: Jim Higgens, Speed 228.587 MPH
Fast – Lady of the Meet: Tannis Hammond, Speed 320.839 MPH

On Sept, 7, 2014, Milwaukee Midget Racing established a new Bonneville course record of 122.539 mph for the I/GT class. This was the oldest standing record in the GT category—it stood unbeaten for over 22 years.

As always – thanks and appreciation to all of the hardworking USFRA Volunteers that make these events possible. The efforts of this skilled and experienced group is what makes USFRA Bonneville Events. The USFRA Volunteers wish to invite you to Bonneville in 2015 — See you on the Salt!

For information contact:
Ellen Wilkinson, Secretary
Utah Salt Flats Racing Assoc.
www.saltflats.com

John GunnellAuthor