Frank Wulfers

In 2008, I purchased a 2006 Saab 9-5 in California and drove it back to Michigan. I planned to pass the Bonneville Salt Flats on the way to see what it was all about. This was a place I always wanted to visit and I had the opportunity on October 2nd . I figured the access roads would be blocked off but the flats were wide open.

There was a commercial shoot for Lincoln going on and it was interesting to watch for a little bit. I was hoping to see some top-secret Saabs but no such luck.

There are several long tracks marked with black lines and a few cones. It's awesome to see an endless horizon with a blue sky and the white salty surface, be able to hit the accelerator and not worry about cops, animals or other obstructions.

The US 2006 9-5 is limited at a top speed of 135 mph (220 km/h) and I could feel it holding back a bit after passing 130 mph. I was hoping to be able to pass the magic 250 km/h mark but no such luck. However, 135 mph is still plenty fast and a great thrill. It's an interesting sensation to go so fast when you don't see any of the surroundings pass you by. There is the pounding of the tires on the salt, the air hitting the car, the engine working hard and you see the salty surface going under the car but the mountains in the far distance are hardly moving at all.

If you ever find yourself in NW Utah, make sure to take Exit 4 on I-80 and take a few runs on the salt flats.

See the photo set on Flickr