The Utah Salt Flats Racing Association cancelled a smaller Test ‘n’ Tune event recently, mainly due to rain and mud covering an area of the race course. The SCTA sent a group of racers to test the salt on July 21. They also say the salt in most other areas is too soft or rough to safely support racing.

However, there isn’t a long enough stretch of 5cm-thick salt crust for racing. The Southern California Timing Association also requires 6 miles (9.6km) for the vehicles to get up to speed, hit the timed traps and slow down safely. The crust usually varies up to 15cm (6 inches) thick and lies on top of a dirt and water quicksand surface that prevents racing or even driving slowly across the flats. In most places, the crusty salt surface is less than 5cm (2 inches) thick which is the minimum requirement for racing. This year the problem is the thickness, length and quality of the salt crust.

This is the second consecutive year that Speed Week has been cancelled. READ ABOUT EVELYNE’S ATTEMPT Evelyne Scholz will attempt to become the second female admitted to the exclusive Bonneville 200mph club riding a ‘naked’ bike. Lesser known competitors hoping for fame included Aussie Evelyne Scholz who hoped to become the second female admitted to the exclusive Bonneville 200mph club riding a ‘naked’ bike. READ ABOUT THE INDIAN SCOUT 2015 Indian Motorcycle Scout Black Bullet takes on the Bonneville salt flats Meanwhile, Indian had announced plans to head back to the salt with a breathtakingly beautiful custom Scout called the Black Bullet to break another record. READ ABOUT THEIR ATTEMPT Triumph Rocket III streamliner “We are actively evaluating all options for both testing and a record run attempt in 2015 and hope to confirm our plans very shortly,” it says. However, Triumph Motorcycles has issued a statement saying they are monitoring the situation and may return in late August. The cancellation may prevent Guy Martin and Triumph from attempting not only a world record, but also breaking the 400mph barrier for motorcycles. The persistent and worsening problems also spells troubles for other events on the salt flats this year and in coming years. The future of the famous Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week is in jeopardy after the event has been cancelled for the second consecutive year.Ī thin layer of salt has caused the cancellation of the annual Bonneville Salt Flats Speed Week that was scheduled to start on August 8, 2015.

Bonneville salt flats schedule 2018