Some opportunities come along that are simply too good to pass up. When ROADBOSS Magazine hit up Lucky Boy Agency with a bucket-list video shoot, we didn�t hesitate. The mission? Capture the essence of the legendary Salt Lake Speed Week at Lake Gairdner, a place where speed demons and petrolheads push the limits. And at the heart of it all, two of the fastest trucks in the country, both aiming to break land speed records in their class. We sent our cinematographer, Jake Ashe, to document the adventure.
The Journey to the Salt
The trip itself was an odyssey. It started with a flight into Adelaide, followed by a grueling seven-hour drive to Lake Gairdner. The final two hours? Pure dirt road-dusty, rough, and relentless. We arrived late at night, exhausted but buzzing with anticipation. As we searched for a place to camp, we approached a table of locals, hoping for guidance. Their response? �We can help-but first, you better sit down and have a beer.� That moment set the tone for the entire experience. Salt Lake Speed Week isn�t just about machines and speed-it�s a commune of like-minded people who respect the salt, welcome the dedicated, and celebrate the sheer passion of motorsport.
A World Like No Other
As the sun rose over the flats, we packed our gear, unsure of what to expect. The first scene that greeted us? A lineup of cars being dusted off with leaf blowers before they hit the salt. Then, we drove out onto the endless white expanse-it felt like entering another world. Think Mad Max meets Burning Man, with the sound of idling engines and the distant roar of record attempts filling the air. We met with the event�s president, who extended a warm welcome and shared his excitement about us capturing the event. But even more than that, he wanted us to soak in the experience-the uniqueness of the salt, the culture, the people.
Chasing Speed with Rob and His Kenworth
One of our main focuses was Rob Waters, a Kenworth driver gunning for 155mph. From the moment we arrived, he was generous with his time, eager to share his story, and passionate about the event. His Kenworth was a beast-built for speed, fine-tuned for performance, and ready to make history.
The conditions were brutal. The heat was intense, and the salt acted like a mirror, burning us in places we didn�t even know could get sunburnt. But everywhere we turned, there was something worth capturing-a cinematic shot waiting to happen, a story begging to be told. People had traveled from all over the globe, drawn by a shared obsession with speed. Some came to race, others just to witness history in the making.
The Community of the Salt
Salt Lake Speed Week is more than an event-it�s a culture. It�s a gathering of people who might be outcasts in the city but are right at home here. The camaraderie is unmatched. By the end of day one, we had filmed some incredible content, captured the energy of the flats, and fully immersed ourselves in this wild, beautiful, salt-covered world. We wrapped the day with beers, a steak cooked over a gas burner, and some much-needed rest.
The Setup Behind the Lens
To do justice to the sheer spectacle of Salt Lake Speed Week, we brought out the big guns. Our setup included a RED Scarlet paired with a Canon 24-70mm, a Sigma 150-600mm, and a Laowa 12mm. This combination allowed us to capture stunning, premium cinema-level footage, perfectly showcasing the scale and speed of the event. However, the extreme conditions presented serious challenges. With temperatures pushing nearly 40 degrees, our RED Scarlet started slowing down as it teetered on the edge of overheating. Despite the struggles, we knew the results would be worth it-and they absolutely were. Every frame captured the raw energy and intensity of the flats, making this one of the most visually impressive projects we�ve ever tackled.
Wrapping It Up at the Tin Shed
The next day, we did it all over again-new interviews, more incredible speed runs, and more time with Rob as he chased his record. The grand finale? A cold beer at the Tin Shed, the heart of the salt community where everyone gathers after a long day of racing.
The experience was unreal. The footage we captured? Even better. This upcoming micro-documentary for ROADBOSS Magazine is shaping up to be the best piece we�ve ever been a part of. Stay tuned-it�s going to be something special.
