Lie
in this morning - not away until 7.30a.m. I drive
the first section along I. 80, skirting the Southern
edge of the Great Salt Lake. We cross the Salt
Flat desert for about 80 miles, you could drop Scotland
into it and lose it. At Wendover a short 5 mile road
leads back into the salt flat and comes to a
dead end. This is the site where so many land
speed records have been broken, in particular one
by Donald Healey in the 50's, when he drove a modified
Healey at over 200 miles per hour. All the guys pay
tribute and Julian is determined to break a new record.
Unfortunately we forget to start the clock ticking.
A
quick hop takes us to the old Wendover airport. This
used to be a military base during World War 11. The
USAF bomber "Enola Gay" carrying the first
atom bomb to be dropped on Japan was based here.
It is now deserted and used as a racetrack. Four Austin
Healeys were allowed the privilege of two laps of
the track before the day's racing begins, after signing
a disclaimer. These are Julian Bowen, Peter Hunt,
Bob Brown and Bill & Gordan, alias Wallace and
Grommett Mark II in the Bugeye.( Mark I drove
the Lagonda on ATW.) The pace car is a Lotus 11, the
fastest 11,00 cc car ever made. It goes rather slow
on the first lap as it isn't sure what Healeys can
do. After Julian has sat up its exhaust it speeds
up for the second lap and gives them something to
think about. Great fun is had by all.
On to Ely across another 120 miles of nothing, over
the White Horse pass, 6046 feet This was the old Pony
Express route. One can imagine what it was like as
it hasn't changed in a hundred years. Nothing in every
direction except majestic vistas. Into Ely,
Nevada, to an old gambling Hotel. The cheapest room
yet and by far the most interesting and attractive.
We are in Ingrid Bergman's room. The walls are festooned
with portraits of her in different films, the chandelier,
lace curtains, little touches making it so homely.
|
Salt
flats, Bonneville
Ingrid
Bergman's room
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