New spectator needs info

[Snoofer]

 First time to speed week. What time do the trials start? Is there a place I can park off of the salt and then catch a ride to the track?  Is there a schedule published that tells when different vehicles run?

If there is a website that has this info please let me know. I?ve been googling all day looking for it.

[mergatroyd]

Normally, they would start with return runs at 7am on Sunday. This year is not normal, and runs won't start until Monday.

You could park at the bend and hitch to the pits, then hitch to wherever you want to go. The race covers a lot of real estate, so wheeled conveyance of your own is recommended.

Runs aren't scheduled. When a racer is ready, he or she get in line and wait for their turn (exceptions for streamliners, but still no schedule).

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Okey-donkey, Sir Snoofer.  Here's some stuff.  First of all, when we're racing, there is no way to predict exactly when anyone will run.  At the start lines it's first come, first gone.  Fast car followed by nitro bike followed by electric - - well, you get the idea.  Once we've run for one day you can be sure to see the record return runs - those will be guaranteed the fastest from yesterday's racing.

Normal starting time is 7.30AM for the record return runs, which continue until all of yesterday's qualifiers (those that exceeded the existing record) run again to back up the record.  Those runs continue until everyone has run - commonly an hour or even two.

You can leave your vehicle at Land's End and get out to the salt some other way, but there's no service that'll give you a ride.  Find a buddy, ask someone that's on the way in if you can ride, etc.  It shouldn't be a problem.

See you on the salt.  BTW, what with the wet track there won't be much going on tomorrow morning (before other than chapel at 6.30. 

[Snoofer]

Thanks guys, you? answered my questions. I?ll consider driving my Prius on the salt but will probably try to bum a ride.

[Snoofer]

Would a bicycle work well on the salt?

[mergatroyd]

I've seen many, but not used one.

[Snoofer]

How about vendors? Is anyone selling water by the track? Or should I carry enough to last the day?

[RichFox]

You know that the salt is a very large area,right? The pits may be 5 miles from the paved road. Maybe not. I don't know this year. The start line 3 miles from the pit which nay well be 3 miles long. Be prepared for long hot bike rides. There is a guy selling shaved ice. I have never seen anyone selling just water. But maybe at the food vendor they do. I brought mine. In the truck. With ice. And air conditioning. But I'm old. I didn't have air when I was younger.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

This year:  The pits are at about the 3 mile, but the start line is 9/10 mile BACK from Land's End.  Therefore 2 miles or so to the Village.  The pits go on for over another mile or more but aren't full so you won't have to ride all that far. 

You can buy water at the Enola Gay Cafe (the food vendor).

[Snoofer]

So it sounds like I will want to take a couple liters of water with me even if I drive my car out on the salt.

[Peter Jack]

Way more, especially if you plan on pedalling.

Pete

[GW]

I biked once, and only once, because it was horrible.

Do it right... drive what you have then do a good cleaning job afterwards.

[Snoofer]

I think I?ve abandoned the bike idea. I?ll be driving my car onto the salt or I?ll bum rides. I was just trying to confirm that there isn?t any way to purchase water on the track. I wonder if I would be allowed to sell water if I took a bunch?

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Did I mis-speak?  I said that yes, you CAN buy water at the track - the food vendor.

[Snoofer]

I was unclear as on where the cafe was located and if there is only one. I thought it might be the cafe in the Sinclair station out by the highway.