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SALT FLAT MEMORIES (Bonneville Speed Week 2005 and 2006) -by R.G.Puvogel

FOREWORD 

            The following is a retrospective of my Speedweek experiences.  I have covered these without a lot of depth or detail.  I plan to keep everything short and to the point.  The 2005 and 2006 Speedweeks are covered here.  The people that I refer to in this are people who I have met during previous Speedweeks or are personal friends.  These are but just a few of my memories for the 2005 and 2006 Speedweeks.  But the memories are numerous.  Included are some thoughts and observations of my own along the way.  The intent of this is to share these memories with others.

             I am dedicating this to the memory of my cousin, Don Puvogel.

Speedweek 2006:

            I have been asked why I keep going back year after year and what is this “Salt” thing all about?  My best answer is “where else can a person drive eight hundred miles to, and get practically microwaved by the hot sun, and still have so much fun?”  This year is the sixteenth Speedweek I’ve attended and they just keep getting better.  With the release of the movie, “The World’s Fastest Indian,” there has been an increased interest in this event.  This could be seen by the larger number of spectators this year.  There were five hundred pre-registered vehicles this year and this is a record.

             This is the time of year I’ve always looked forward to.  Time to renew old friendships and made new ones.  This is what Bonneville is all about.  An annual reunion for me.

            For a person to understand what Bonneville is all about, they have to be here to experience this event all on their own.  I talked to a gentlemen from New Zealand this year whose dream it was to come to the Speedweek for the last twenty years.  While talking with him I could sense he was absolutely ecstatic about being out here on the salt.  I would describe his emotions as being completely in awe to almost being overwhelmed by the whole event.  His twenty year dream has now been fulfilled.  This event knows no geographical boundaries.  The dreams and the people behind these dreams are the ones who make Bonneville the great event it is today.

 Pit Row Images from Salt FlatMemories.com

Speedweek 2005, Day One:

             I want to go back now to the 2005 Speedweek memories, Day One 08/13/05.  Got out on the salt early this a.m.  Drove out to the pit area first to find Art Catt and Brendan Glaser.  They were busy working on their “Catt House Racing” Buick to get it ready for a run the next morning.  Said “hello”, and then moved on.  I located Courtney and Villa Hizer further up in the pit area.  They were also busy getting their car ready for a run the next morning.  Said “hello” to them and told them I would catch up with them later, as they were busy.  I met up with some other friends today.  Jack Burns and his wife, Judy.  This was their first trip to Bonneville, and I had the pleasure of being a tour guide of sorts for them.  When showing them around I could tell they were impressed with the cars and how much area this event took up.

            I took them to the starting line on the long course for some picture taking.  Pictures, lots of pictures.  Also taking that time to talk to the drivers and crew members of these vehicles.  Judy asked me what kind of vehicles run out here?  My best answer was “Anything that has ever had wheels put underneath of it, and a few special creations that people have built on their own.”

End Day One Speedweek 05.

Worthy Websites

Fueled By The Fallen, is a non profit organization that provides monetary support for returning veterans, and a moving memorial to honor the fallen soldiers from our current conflicts. Each branch of the military is represented by a racecar that proudly lists the name and rank of our fallen American heroes. These moving memorials are on a 5 year American Road Tour, traveling across the United States, raising awareness and financial support for the families of the fallen and the injured. (Click above banner for website.)

The Pin Up Angels- is a non-profit group that sell pin up photos of themselves, to raise money, to send care packages to our men and women serving in our armed forces overseas.

Forward to Speedweek 06, Day One:

 I had the pleasure of seeing Brain and Lisa Bodgon out on the Salt today.  It was a very nice surprise to see them, as I didn’t know they were going to be here at all.  This is their first time here.  I got the pleasure of being a tour guide again for the second year in a row.  I’ve talked to Brian before about the Speedweek, and it looks like I had him and Lisa convinced of how great it it.

             I know that Brian and Lisa enjoyed the short time that they had to spend here.  I think they wore their camera out in a day and a half.  I took them to meet Courtney and Villa Hizer in the pit area.  I have known Courtney and Villa ever since my first Speedweek in 1988.  They come from Rome, Georgia and are two very special people.  It was great to see them again after a year’s time.  The Speedweek would not be complete without them here.  I wanted Brian and Lisa to meet the special people that I’ve gotten to know over the years.

Back to Day 2 Speedweek 05.  

Got out on the salt early again.  Taking pictures and still wandering around.  I got the pleasure to meet more people from the Longview area.  Their names are Greg Badger and Larry Martinez.  Had a short but a great visit with them.  I wish they would have had more time here.

            Caught up with Jack Burns today.  More picture taking and more connecting with people.  He still seemed to be impressed with the cars and the sheer numbers of them.  He was enjoying himself.  We then drove up to the pit area where Art Dick was pitted.  Art Dick was doing the driving duties for the Joint Venture Diesel truck again.  While we were in Art’s pit area we got to see him driving this big truck at about three miles out on the course.  This run came in at 218 m.p.h., and Jack seemed to be impressed with this big truck going that fast.

             I ran into Glenn Freudenburger later on in the day.  Glenn is the organizer for the Northwest Bonneville Reunion.  The Reunion is held at the Shiloh Airport Inn, in Portland, Oregon, every year.  This is done in the month of February.

             My wife, Jean, and I have gone to two of these Reunions, and have had a great time at both of them.  Glenn can be best described as being the goodwill ambassador for the Bonneville Speedweek.  End Day Two 05.

            Still having fun.

Forward to Speedweek 2006.

 This again was a busy year for me out on the salt.  Taking pictures, seeking autographs for my Bonneville Salt Flats book, and being a tour guide.

             Andy Green was here this year.  He holds the world’s land speed record at 763 m.p.h.  He was here to drive a diesel powered streamliner, built by the JCB Corporation from England.  They manufacture agricultural tractors, backhoes and other similar equipment.

             I got the opportunity to meet Gene Burkland at one of the Northwest Bonneville Reunions.  He was happy to answer all the questions I asked him.  A very nice person.

Back to Speedweek 05, Day 3:

             There was a wreck yesterday on the long course.  A bad one.  The driver of the car that wrecked yesterday died as the result of the injuries sustained in the wreck.  The salt this year was not in very good condition.  The long course was rough and some people ended with broken suspension parts.

             Caught up with Art Catt and Brendan Glaser today.  (They are both from Longview, Washington).  I am still wandering around the pits, but never aimlessly.

             Their Buick was having problems with the motor laying down flat at 4500 r.p.m.  More thrashing and more head scratching for them.  Later on that night Jack and Judy Burns invited me to a complimentary dinner.  This was a nice gesture on their part to me for showing them the inner workings of the Speedweek.  I enjoyed their company.  I caught up with Steve Kann and his buddy Maury Adams.  After talking with them, I found out this is a Speedweek they would like to forget.  End Day 3, 2005.

Forward Against to Speedweek 06:

             This year Art Dick who lives in Knappa, Oregon, drove the Joint Venture Diesel Truck to a new record of 228.804 m.p.h.  Art has his own machine shop and manufacturing business in Knappa, Oregon.

            Art still had his own truck to qualify this year.  Last year he did not get to qualify it because of turbo-charger problems.  It seems that the salt gremlins were out in force and having a feast on turbochargers last year.  He had to make three passes on the short course, but did make it over to the long course.  This truck is capable of two-hundred plus miles per hour.  Now on to Art Catt and Brendan Glaser.  With the exception of some gearing issues, the “Catt House Racing” Buick ran great with no major problems.  I was happy for them.

Back to Speedweek 05, Day 4:

            Got out on the salt this morning just in time to have it start raining.  It rained for an hour and a half this morning.  Just enough to postpone the racing for four hours.

            The cars had to be run on the short course today as the long course is still a mess.  Got a call from Jack Burns this morning informing me that he and Judy were on their way to Salt Lake City.  I wished them a safe trip and I would catch up with them at a later date.  I know they enjoyed themselves.  Back to Art Catt and Brendan.  The Buick is still not running up to par.  These salt gremlins never take a vacation.  Later on in the day the wind had picked up.  It doesn’t look good for tomorrow.

End Day 4, 05.

Forward to Speedweek 06:

             The car show in front of the Wendover Nugget Casino was great.  This is a tradition that goes on at night on the first day of the Speedweek.  It keeps getting better every year.  There is a continuous show that goes on out on the salt every day of the Speedweek.

            I have always considered the Bonneville Speedweek as being the ultimate in car shows.  The non-shiny cars outnumbered the shiny cars again this year.  The Ford flathead motor seems to be making a comeback.  Big time.  The salt this year was in excellent shape.  There were a total of two thousand runs made this year.  There were a total of 156 new records set.  (92 – car, and 64 – motorcycle.)

Back to Speedweek 05, Day 5:

            Got out to the access road early this a.m. to find that Lake Bonneville had returned overnight.  The officials of the timing association have decided to cancel the rest of the meet at 10:00 o’clock this morning.  “Bummer”.  There are people who tow here from all over the U.S.  A big disappointment for everyone.

            Steve Kann never got a chance to run his car this year.  I caught up with Steve Kann and his friend Maury today.  Maury’s truck dropped a valve thirty miles out of Wendover, and destroyed the engine block.  Like I said before, this is one Speedweek they would both like to forget.  In spite of the rain I enjoyed every minute of the Speedweek this year.  Can’t wait until next year.  End Day 5, Speedweek 2005. 

Forward Again to Speedweek 2006: 

            Today, a new experience for me.  I took Art Catt’s grandson Steven (age 12) around to the long course starting line to get autographs from the members of the Southern California Timing Associations 200 M.P.H. Club.  This Association is the sanctioning organization for the Bonneville Speedweek.   

This helped keep Steven busy while waiting for Art’s car to make a run.  Steven got a lot of autographs in his program in the time we had.  He also got the opportunity to have Andy Green autograph his program.  I will never forget his reaction after his program was signed by Andy Green.  He reached out and shook Steven’s hand.  Steven then looked at his hand and, I quote him, “He shook my hand.  I’m going to put this on E‑bay.”  This made my Speedweek complete at that moment.  I know he will have a lot of good memories from this Speedweek for a long time.

General Motors Images from Salt Flat Memories.com

 I got the opportunity to talk to Jim and Randall Travis.  They are the owner-drivers of the “Pumpkin Seed” streamliner.  This is a father and son team, with Jim being the senior one.  Their streamliner was in the movie, “The World’s Fastest Indian.”

 They were both lucky to be included as extras in this movie along with their streamliner.  They took the time to show me the pictures they had taken during the filming of this movie.  The pictures were great.  They also took the time to sign my Bonneville Salt Flats Book.  Two very nice people.  I enjoyed talking with them.

 Now my dreams have also become a reality this week.

            Those moments in time, never forgotten. 

            Those moments in life, never ending.

            Those memories of experiences, forever there.

             It was fun.

            Roger Puvogel

Afterthoughts and Reflections:

 I have found the Speedweek to be an event that unites people like I have never seen before.  This event brings in people from all walks of life.  It serves to unify people in a sense of community and family and is unique in its own right.  The only ones that can really understand what it is like to build a race car are the ones who actually do it.  Those one step forward, two steps back kind of days.  The missed and late dinners.  And all the last minute thrashing to get the car ready to run.  I’ve gained a lot of respect for these people that test the limits of speed -  themselves and their machines.

 I am still amazed at the innovation, ingenuity, patience and hard work that go into building these vehicles.  It has always been in my thoughts and experiences that all good things in life never do come easy.

 The Salt still remains a timeless entity that has its own definition of character and beauty.  To sum all of this up, I am going to quote what Louise Ann Noeth wrote in my copy of her book, “The Bonneville Salt Flats.”  “Roger, keep up the annual pilgrimage.  The Salt will never let you down.”

I would like to thank her now.  She has guided me with her knowledgeable insight as truer words have never been written.

SALT FLAT MEMORIES (Bonneville Speed Week 2004) -by R.G.Puvogel

The following consists of my daily experiences at the 2004 Bonneville Speed Week. In this, I am trying to focus on the efforts of a good friend by the name of Art Catt, and his efforts of Land Speed Racing. Art and his partner in the car, Brendan Glaser, have built a 1965 Buick Skylark Coupe. It is powered by a very potent 455 cubic inch Buick motor. Another friend by the name of Ray Miles has also given a lot of help during the construction of the car. Art's competent crew consists of Brendan (partner and co-driver), Art's son Mitch Catt,Ray Miles,Marty Nielsen, and Jerry Peres. I will also be writing about the other people I have met in previous years. Included also are some thoughts and observations of mine. The name of Art's team is "Catt House Racing, Buick". The car ran great during the whole meet, with no problems after making four complete runs.

DAY 1- AUGUST 14TH, 2004

I arrived in Wendover (Utah) this morning at 7:30 A.M.. Great to see the salt Flats again after a year.Art and company left Longview (Washington) Thursday the 12th at 10:00 P.M. They had planned on leaving Longview earlier, but had a lot of last minute thing s to do before they left. They had to drive straight through to get here for the car to be inspectied early Saturday morning. I checked into the motel that I am staying at in Wendover, and then headed out the the Salt. The first person you would meet at the end of the access road, before you enter onto the Salt would be be Dave Newby. Dave is not here this year because he unfortunately has cancer. Dave's job is head of security for the whole Speed Week event. He ould always be counted on for his friendly smile, wave, and firm handshake. Dave is a nice guy that will be missed by everyone.

I then drove out to the tech inspection area and caught up with Art and company. They were having the car gone over by one of the tech inspectors now. There are about 300 vehicles here this year. The pit area is a half mile long.

While Art's car was being inspected, I drove to the other end of the pit area and caught up with Courtney and Villa Hizer from Rome, Georgia. I have seen them here just about every year since 1988. I visited with them for a short time, as they were busy with their car. Pitted next to them is Bruce Geisler and Gary Vail. They are partners in a 1953 Studebaker, #219, a car that has a lot history behind it. The car has been racing on the salt for 40 years now. I have always looked forward to this time of year.

          I have now driven to other parts of the pit area to take some pictures of the race vehicles and street rods. Some of theses race vehicles are show quality.From the street rods that I have seen, the trend seems to be primer for paint, wide whitewalls, and hubcaps or wheel covers of a persons choosing. I then went back to the vehicle technical inspection area. Art’s car spent an hour and a half there. There were a few minor things to be corrected, but the car passed tech OK.

Click here for day 2

 

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