Bonneville Salt Flats: The Ultimate Proving Ground

The Bonneville Salt Flats have long been a revered destination for racers and speed enthusiasts. Located at 4,200 feet above sea level, Bonneville presents a unique set of challenges for racers. The thin air and high temperatures can significantly impact engine performance, making it a true test of engineering and driving skill. The vast, white expanse of salt provides a natural, perfectly flat surface that allows vehicles to reach their maximum speeds, making it the ideal location for land speed records.

Tim Boyle and the Salty Box Racing Team: A New Record in the Books

Among the standout performances at Speed Week 2024 was that of Tim Boyle and the Salty Box Racing Team. Celebrating their 20th anniversary at Bonneville, the team arrived with three meticulously prepared race cars, each designed to conquer different classes at the salt flats and make history.

Over the course of the event, seven drivers took turns piloting the Salty Box race cars, navigating the delicate balance between speed and control required to master the salt flats. With 17 runs completed during the week, the team’s dedication and hard work culminated in a stunning achievement: Tim Boyle set a new C/Diesel Streamliner (C/DS) record, reaching an incredible speed of 315 mph.

The Streamliner: Engineering Marvel

The record-setting vehicle, a 30-foot-long Streamliner, is a true engineering marvel. It is powered by a 5.9L Cummins common rail engine, meticulously tuned and managed by Ryan Milliken of Hardway Performance. The engine is equipped with a Hamilton cam, a D&J precision cylinder head, and a compound turbo setup that features a pair of Garrett turbos. The high-pressure turbo, an 85mm GTX5533R Gen II, works in harmony with a massive Garrett G-Series ProMod G57-2750 102mm  atmospheric turbo. This formidable setup is further enhanced by S&S Diesel CP3 pumps and injectors, ensuring the engine delivers maximum performance.

To maintain optimal temperatures under the intense conditions of Speed Week, the charge air is cooled using two air-to-water intercoolers. Power is transmitted through a manually shifted Randy’s Transmissions stage 4 48re transmission, which then drives a custom heavy-duty billet quick-change differential.

During the event, the Streamliner performed beyond expectations. The qualifying run saw the vehicle hit a blistering 318 mph, followed by a backup run at 312 mph. These combined efforts solidified a new record at 315 mph in the C/Diesel Streamliner class, with a GPS peak of 324 mph.

As the sun sets on another historic Speed Week, the legacy of Tim Boyle and the Salty Box Racing Team is secure. Their record-breaking run is a testament to what can be achieved when man and machine come together in perfect harmony on the hallowed grounds of the Bonneville Salt Flats.