2011 In Review

[CH.Detailing]

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.





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.





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!





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.







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.



Not to mention the damage a hard packed bank can inflict from a fast entry or a loose slide! Ouch.



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.




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?














I`ll finish off with a shot of my wagon and friend`s GC8 coupe, more to come tomorrow!

[DealerDetailer]

Now that looks like a H**L of a time!

[mwtaco]

so cool. looks like a blast.

[Dr Oldz]

Very Cool. Looks like a ton of fun!

[CH.Detailing]

Here`s a video from one of my runs. Watching it now, I`m quite surprised I didn`t slam into a snowbank!

WARNING: You`re gonna want to turn off the sound on this one. Unless you`re a big fan of deafening wind noise.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRISBq6T4Iw&list=UUctcCAwuLhKiVhbQzpejrnA& index=11&feature=plcp]102 5814 - YouTube[/ame]

[Fast Eddie]

Very cool pics and video, looks like super fun. Being in California, the closest I think I`ll get to racing on a frozen lake is on a video game...or watching on youtube.

[ZimRandy]

Awesome pictures. I tried ice racing once and remember my first lap wasn`t pretty. I was off the track more than I was on it!

What a rush.

Randy

[blk5.0]

I love the snow and that looks fun

[BobbyG]

Now that`s what I call having some fun!

I was looking at the home made studs and can`t imagine how long completing 4 tires would take then how the hell to you keep them from leaking? Maybe adding a bottle of slime to each might do the trick but necessity is always the mother of invention.

AND the C5 Corvette on the ice!!

[BIOLINK]

Looks like a good time. Subarufest for sure.

[Todd@RUPES]

Great video Corey. It looked like a combination of pushing and being very loose, sometimes as the same time. Very cool and thanks for sharing.

[CH.Detailing]

Now that`s what I call having some fun!

I was looking at the home made studs and can`t imagine how long completing 4 tires would take then how the hell to you keep them from leaking? Maybe adding a bottle of slime to each might do the trick but necessity is always the mother of invention.

AND the C5 Corvette on the ice!!

Definitely a ton of fun!

I started making a set of studded tires, but got impatient and threw them in the trash. From speaking to those who have actually finished making a set, I understand it can take about 12-15 hours to complete an entire set, depending on if you have a powered nut driver or just hand tools. Urethane windshield sealant seems to be a popular choice to stop leaks, they might lose 3-4 lbs over an entire season. There is another type of tire called the Velcro Tire, which is roughly 600 drywall screws set from the inside out. Those tires lose about 10 lbs per run!

Great video Corey. It looked like a combination of pushing and being very loose, sometimes as the same time. Very cool and thanks for sharing.

Thanks Tommy! It is definitely a struggle to nail a good line, as available grip is incredibly variable. Sometimes there is snow on a corner, which is good for me because I don`t run studs, or there may just be bare ice, and there are also 1"-2" ruts in the ice that form from the studded cars running the same lines repeatedly. Some people take a risk and use the ruts to slingshot them through a corner, which is essentially loading all of your lateral force onto the bead of the tire and hoping it holds! Not my cup of tea to unseat a tire out on a lake 3 hours from home!

[CH.Detailing]

Very cool pics and video, looks like super fun. Being in California, the closest I think I`ll get to racing on a frozen lake is on a video game...or watching on youtube.

Hey now, California has PLENTY of other automotive distractions I`m not very likely to see around my neck of the woods!

[PA DETAILER]

wow. now that looks like FUN. thanks for sharing.

[wendell jarvis]

very cool