Speedweek Follow-up
A short video from the starting line and a chilling photo from a racing fatality which occurred during Speed Week 2009.
From the Salt Lake Tribune:
Driver Dies in Speed Week Accident--The Tom Thumb, #216 Coup, driven by Barry Bryant disintegrates as the vehicle rolls near the five-mile marker at the Bonneville Speedway in Utah August 9, 2009. Officials of the Bonneville Nationals report that Bryant, 46, from Anderson, California, died while being transported to a Salt Lake City area hospital. Bryant was traveling approximately 200 mph. at the time of the accident. Photo by Colin E. Braley-RRA/Wild West Media (Colin E. Braley-RRA/Wild West Me)
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Category: Trip Reports
They may be going 200+MPH by the 5 mile mark, but there sure is not a lot of action (or excitement) at the start line…
Yeah, I was surprised and underwhelmed as well until it was explained to me. Because the vehicles are so muscle bound, geared so high and the salt is relatively slick, it is easier than not to spin your tires. Once this happens (especially at high speeds where there is a lot of wind resistance), you lose momentum, and in some cases so much that you have to downshift and build up speed all over again. The key to a fast run is to accelerate as fast and smoothly as possible with no spin outs.
Boy, that photo makes the typical NSCAR crash look like a parking lot frnder-bender…