First time I visited Bonneville, I was surprised that there was no museum commemorating all those pioneers who raced the Salts of Utah. To be more precise, there was a small one now defunct since 12 years. Last year, Wendover, Utah, Mayor Mike Crawford and local Bonneville enthusiast John House announced that they had secured a five-acre plot of land on the eastern end of town, right off Interstate 80, where they plan to erect a 25,000-square-foot building that chronicles not just the history of land-speed racing on the Bonneville Salt Flats, but also the story of the Salt Flats and the town of Wendover’s contributions to land-speed racing.
Crawford and House both estimate that it will be another three to five years until the museum is ready to open, but Crawford said he’s already received verbal commitments from a few historic land-speed car owners to display their cars in the museum. “The history of this sport is scattered all over, so this museum will be a good way to collect it all in one spot,” he says.
“One of my goals with this is to promote the town of Wendover,” said Crawford, a Wendover business owner, lifelong resident and auto enthusiast. “But I’m also working to get a better relationship between the town and the racers”. You can help this museum project by calling John House at 309-241-4715 or going to the Bonneville Speedway Museum Facebook Page.
Its better late than never to have a Bonneville Museum. Now all we need is a Chopper Museum some where.
Excellent idea !
Great way to commemorate such a time honored tradition. People spend year after year working very hard to get to Bonneville and compete with their fellow speed obsessed brethren. It would definitely become a great vacation destination for people who wouldn’t actually be on the salt flats.
Years ago there was a great Land Speed Museum in Wendover, it just never took off. Now with all of the casinos I think it is viable. I agree with many others that it is someting that is needed. Hats off to Mike Crawford and everyone who is working to make this happen.
Their Facebook page shows that the new Billboard is up, and it looks great.
I am very excited about this whole project, and can’t wait to see the finished product. Not to mention the vehicles that will be on display.
Hopefully things will continue to move forward at a good pace.
John House, you are the man. Let me know where to donate.
Thanks for posting this Cyril. The Salt Flats mean a lot of things to a lot of people, Chris Callen the HMFIC at Cycle Source has described it so well in his editorials. I am very proud to be a part of it. The web site will be up after the first of the year and will chronicle every detail of the design and construction of the Museum.
Jag aka John House
Looking forward to contributing to the museum.
See ya on the salt in 2012!