HISTORY
Ice Racing started in Ontario more than forty years ago, and it continues
to thrive as an inexpensive, fun part of the Ontario motorsport scene.
The events were originally held on frozen lakes and rivers - and some
still are - but in the late seventies, the Ontario championships moved
to more permanent facilities at the fairgrounds in Minden, Ontario.
The track is laid out, then repeatedly coated with water until a thick
layer of ice is built up between the snowbanks that delineate the
course. The ice race season starts in mid January and runs until early
March, usually consisting of six two-day events.
ICE RACE COMPETITION CARS
For competition purposes ice racing cars are divided into four basic
classes, all with engines up to 3000cc:
| Class
1 |
Rear-Wheel
Drive Short-Wheelbase |
| Class
2 |
Front
Engine, Front-Drive/Short-Wheelbase up to 3 litres |
| Class
3 |
Front
Engine, Front-Drive/Long-Wheelbase up to 3 litres |
| Class
4 |
4WD
up to 3 litres |
These
four are also known as rubber-to-ice classes because
they are restricted to unstudded tires. Other than an approved helmet,
no other specialized safety equipment is required - the manufacturer’s
original three-point safety harness is acceptable. In order to increase
competitor participation and to further reduce the costs, there
is also a ‘second driver’ series for each of the rubber-to-ice
classes. This allows two drivers to compete for the entire season
by sharing one race car.
For drivers who want to go faster there are metal-to-ice
classes. Essentially these classes conform to the above
classes regarding engine location, displacement and driven wheels,
but the regular tires are replaced with studded tires. Menard brand
studded tires are specified, providing close competition while helping
maintain Minden's ice surface.
The driving skills required in metal-to-ice racing are quite different
from those needed in the rubber-to-ice classes, because the additional
traction provides tremendous improvements in acceleration, turning,
and braking. With the increase in speed comes a need for additional
safety equipment in the form of a roll bar and a four-point harness.
It is also in these classes that horsepower becomes a significant
factor in the success of the car.
BUYING YOUR ICE RACER
As noted above, any car with an engine capacity of less than 3.0
litres is eligible to compete for a Class Championship. It doesn’t
matter whether the car is a sedan, coupe, station wagon or small
pick-up, equipped with an automatic or standard transmission, front
wheel, rear wheel or all wheel drive, just as long as it is mechanically
sound - and within your budget.
A competitor can spend as little as three or four hundred dollars
on a car, or as much as five thousand or more. Most ice race cars
are older models which no longer meet highway safety standards,
but are still mechanically sound.
PREPARATION, MODIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENTS
For the rubber-to-ice classes, the minimum car preparation would
involve the removal of headlights, tail lights and any exterior
plastic trim that could break in a collision. Bumpers must be modified
so that they cannot 'hook up' with another car and cause a crash..
This is usually accomplished by bridging the area between the bumper
and the fender with sheet metal or a strip of tire tread. The brakes,
steering and safety equipment must be in proper working order.
The only safety equipment that a rubber-to-ice driver is required
to buy is a helmet that meets the standards outlined in the CASC
Ontario Ice Racing Rules. These rules also provide information
on roll bar construction, seat belt anchor points and other modifications
necessary to compete in the metal-to-ice classes.
If you wish to improve the car there are many simple things you
can do. The most common is to remove as much weight as possible
from the car, particularly in the area of the non-driven wheels.
This usually involves the removal of the rear seats, all upholstery
panels, and anything else that is not necessary in a racing car!
Weight can be added in the area of the driving wheels to improve
traction. The amount of weight necessary might be small in the case
of a front wheel drive car, or as much as four hundred pounds for
a rear wheel drive car.
Probably the most important element of ice racing is tires. There
is a fine balance between the weight carried over the tire, the
power being transferred, and the co-efficient of friction of the
contact patch. The co-efficient of friction is a combination of
the tire’s rubber compound, the tread design, the surface
area of the tire, inflation pressures, and the surface condition
and temperature of the ice. As the condition of the ice can change
from lap to lap, it’s a challenge to get maximum power down
while maintaining traction.
In rubber-to-ice classes, the tire surface can be improved by tractionizing,
a process which mechanically chews up the surface of the tire to
improve its grip. Many clubs own a tractionizing machine, or you
can get it done trackside for a small charge per tire. To stay competitive,
the average driver spends between five hundred and a thousand dollars
a year on tires, repairs and maintenance and improvements.
ICE
RACING IN NORTHERN ONTARIO
The Thunder Bay Autosport Club, also affiliated to CASC
Ontario, organizes ice races in the Thunder Bay region. Races are
counted toward TBAC's club championship, and are not currently scored
for the regional championship. Visit www.iceracingthunderbay.com
for more info.
MAGNUM
FINE PRINTING
The
Magnum Ice Racing Series is presented by Magnum
Fine Printing of Markham, Ontario. Magnum provides business communication
services with expertise in corporate identity pieces. Visit www.magnumprinting.com
for the full array of services and for more information.
GETTING
INVOLVED
In order to participate in ice racing in Ontario, you must be a
member of a CASC Ontario affiliated club.
Contact them - they’ll be glad to hear from you. Ask about
their club’s philosophy, experience, number of active racing
members, and try to attend one of their meetings. Once you’ve
identified the club you’d like to join, do so - it will prove
to be your biggest source of information and ongoing help as you
get started.
|
CURRENT
CONDITIONS: MINDEN
|
