CH.Detailing
01-01-2012, 10:58 PM
Well, the New Year is upon us, and although some may bemoan this passage of time as no different from any other, I enjoy taking the time to reflect on the events of the year past. Each year has it`s high and low points, but thankfully it`s the high points that are most memorable. 2011 treated me to a whole host of new experiences and friends, as well as many hard earned life lessons.
My year in cars began out on a frozen Wisconsin lake, shivering my butt off watching some of the local ice races. A lot of people aren`t that familiar with what goes on at an ice race, but it`s essentially an autocross on ice.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5004/5341709376_b97d24150a_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5204/5340938935_b6dbc3602c_b.jpg
It`s a time trial type of event, with a course laid out using pointer cones that changes with each event. There`s not much at stake, aside from an end of season trophy, so the events are very casual and laid back.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5166/5341062413_6e00a8885e_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5248/5341068847_817a6dface_b.jpg
The relaxed atmosphere tends to make drivers not focus on driving as fast as possible, but rather on driving as fun as possible. It definitely lends itself to creating some nice pictures! :)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5166/5341085863_98074eecd8_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5249/5341171109_4075733076_b.jpg
Some drivers take it to the next level by switching over to home made studded winter tires from their summer cast-offs, and what a difference it makes! A proper set of studded tires can pull grip comparable to the best set of R-comp race rubber on tarmac, it`s an exhilarating/terrifying experience to ride shotgun in these cars. :eek:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5011/5423997690_95b7785cae_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5055/5420185529_a67c419ca0_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5258/5420807314_d6e479b3aa_b.jpg
As the season drags on, and the snowbanks grow higher, so do the risks. Getting stuck once in a while is an inevitable part of ice racing, but do it too much and everyone`s patience will quickly wear thin.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5057/5422498294_f91720041a_b.jpg
Not to mention the damage a hard packed bank can inflict from a fast entry or a loose slide! Ouch. :(
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5420798702_d58ec3d92b_b.jpg
Or sometimes the crapbox you`ve been driving the daylights out of finally calls it quits, and one of your hubs frees itself at speed.
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4101/5445963380_350c1fa955_b.jpg
My favorite lake in the area is Lake Winnebago by far. The lake is absolutely massive, covering over 300 square miles, which makes for some very scenic winter racing. Who ever said a lake had to be dry before you raced on it?
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4081/5445293461_f90cd6857c_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5098/5445266869_86d0c56804_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5216/5445549693_95b5cca5b3_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5298/5445791642_bc0fcac509_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5100/5447565436_dc8031bd7c_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5253/5445208047_08e33459cd_b.jpg
I`ll finish off with a shot of my wagon and friend`s GC8 coupe, more to come tomorrow! :cool:
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4139/5446986595_f7a87e63c1_b.jpg
My year in cars began out on a frozen Wisconsin lake, shivering my butt off watching some of the local ice races. A lot of people aren`t that familiar with what goes on at an ice race, but it`s essentially an autocross on ice.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5004/5341709376_b97d24150a_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5204/5340938935_b6dbc3602c_b.jpg
It`s a time trial type of event, with a course laid out using pointer cones that changes with each event. There`s not much at stake, aside from an end of season trophy, so the events are very casual and laid back.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5166/5341062413_6e00a8885e_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5248/5341068847_817a6dface_b.jpg
The relaxed atmosphere tends to make drivers not focus on driving as fast as possible, but rather on driving as fun as possible. It definitely lends itself to creating some nice pictures! :)
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5166/5341085863_98074eecd8_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5249/5341171109_4075733076_b.jpg
Some drivers take it to the next level by switching over to home made studded winter tires from their summer cast-offs, and what a difference it makes! A proper set of studded tires can pull grip comparable to the best set of R-comp race rubber on tarmac, it`s an exhilarating/terrifying experience to ride shotgun in these cars. :eek:
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5011/5423997690_95b7785cae_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5055/5420185529_a67c419ca0_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5258/5420807314_d6e479b3aa_b.jpg
As the season drags on, and the snowbanks grow higher, so do the risks. Getting stuck once in a while is an inevitable part of ice racing, but do it too much and everyone`s patience will quickly wear thin.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5057/5422498294_f91720041a_b.jpg
Not to mention the damage a hard packed bank can inflict from a fast entry or a loose slide! Ouch. :(
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5251/5420798702_d58ec3d92b_b.jpg
Or sometimes the crapbox you`ve been driving the daylights out of finally calls it quits, and one of your hubs frees itself at speed.
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4101/5445963380_350c1fa955_b.jpg
My favorite lake in the area is Lake Winnebago by far. The lake is absolutely massive, covering over 300 square miles, which makes for some very scenic winter racing. Who ever said a lake had to be dry before you raced on it?
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4081/5445293461_f90cd6857c_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5098/5445266869_86d0c56804_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5216/5445549693_95b5cca5b3_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5298/5445791642_bc0fcac509_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5100/5447565436_dc8031bd7c_b.jpg
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5253/5445208047_08e33459cd_b.jpg
I`ll finish off with a shot of my wagon and friend`s GC8 coupe, more to come tomorrow! :cool:
http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4139/5446986595_f7a87e63c1_b.jpg