There's a chill in the air, and for some of us that means Ice Racing season is right around the corner! The Boston Chapter of the BMW-CCA has posted the the tentative schedule for this winter. Check out http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/2004/ice-racing.asp for more info.

BMW Club Ice Races are basically auto-cross events on a frozen lake. The club's been doing this for 20+ years, and haven't lost a car yet. I didn't make any events last year, but I've got a new set of Arctic Alpins in the garage waiting to go on the MINI, and I can't wait!

This is a HIGHLY recommended event for anybody that really wants to learn how to drive on snow and ice - there's nothing to hit in the middle of a lake if you go spinnig out of control, and if you can complete the course quickly, then you can really control your car.

I think a MINIs-on-ice contingent would be a wonderful thing. Anybody interested?
The normal event location is about 2.5 hours from Boston (Newfound Lake, Bristol-Hebron, NH).

-noam

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'03 MCS BRG/W, 3 option pkgs

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../giw.thumb.jpg

Sign me up! I'll just be back from the pulley party in The Sea of Tranquility. Randy was swept aboard the last shuttle from Mir where it would seem my MINI was assembled.

Ice is TWICE as nice with friends. I'll bring a few.

These are my Ice Sleds which will replace the Pirrellis. I hesitate to remove them cause I know I will not be able to Motor in the Style to which I have become accustomed.

So help me decide. These are steel wheelies I have painted the caps and rims to mimic the 17 SLites wearing my Pirrellis.

What dou you think White on black or white on white?

Can anyone edit this image to show reults of using body color ,Electric Blue

 

>>https://www.northamericanmotoring.co.../giw.thumb.jpg
>>
>>Sign me up! I'll just be back from the pulley party in The Sea of Tranquility. Randy was swept aboard the last shuttle from Mir where it would seem my MINI was assembled.
>>
>>Ice is TWICE as nice with friends. I'll bring a few.
>>
>>These are my Ice Sleds which will replace the Pirrellis. I hesitate to remove them cause I know I will not be able to Motor in the Style to which I have become accustomed.
>>
>>So help me decide. These are steel wheelies I have painted the caps and rims to mimic the 17 SLites wearing my Pirrellis.
>>
>>What dou you think White on black or white on white?
>>
>>Can anyone edit this image to show reults of using body color ,Electric Blue

 

nice. was contemplating the same with my billion hole MINI steelies.

very clever. Bit go black beneath the hubcab. Be sure and spray a little gray for brakedust - don't want anyone catching on...

As for driving to NH to spin on ice - I'd love to. Do we have to join BMWCCA first or is it BMWBC (boston chapter?) I am not a big fan of organizations, but their opportunities do rock.

_________________

 

You say you are 2.5 hours from Boston. I'm 3hours south of Boston. Make me happy and tell me you guys head south.

Looks like it's a 5hour MOTOR. Cool!

What do you think of my chances on these steelies and Blizzacks. Do you think I could mount the SLITES with the 17 Pirellis?

Would be a slip slidin' run but would familiarize myself quickly the effects of DSC

 

You say black like these? What if I did body color?
Electric Blue.
Cap or Wheel

 

OK. Gotta say this, and no offense. I really don't like plastic wheel covers.

Aside from that. The white on black as you've shown is far better IMHO.

I would NOT go painting them body color. But orange would look sweet against that EB...

 

No offense taken. That's the power of paint. If you don't like one, Spray away. I agree on plastic. I might just go with the wheels naked.

Check out the oictures on the KNOW Your MINI thread and you can see pictures. Also MINIHUME posted a picture of Triippy wheels and the silver caps.

Looks like trippy is geographicly predisposed to Ice is Nice.

Let's look for him over here. Minihume is from Hawaii so he'll be a no show unless he wants to borrow my car when he's local.

Minihume let's motor. Let's do the ice. My ride is your ride.

 

>>OK. Gotta say this, and no offense. I really don't like plastic wheel covers.
>>
>>Aside from that. The white on black as you've shown is far better IMHO.
>>
>>I would NOT go painting them body color. But orange would look sweet against that EB...

I agree on plastic for my main season BUT as a winter solution, if only 'till they go rattlin' off with the first pothole, ggod enough.

It would be easy enought to spray the orange, Dare me?

Oh hell. I'll try the electric blue wheels and paint the car orange. Give me a few days and I'll be back at ya'.

 

Ok, well that just sounds like fun, however I need to install the bumber-car body kit first. No practice on the ice when you live in Florida.

 

>>As for driving to NH to spin on ice - I'd love to. Do we have to join BMWCCA first or is it BMWBC (boston chapter?) I am not a big fan of organizations, but their opportunities do rock.

It's a Boston Chapter event (which is part of the national BMW CCA - there's no seperate membership for the Boston Chapter). You don't have to be a member to play, you just pay more per event as a non-member. It's a question about how many event syou want to do and whether or not the membership fee offsets the discounts...

-noam

 

Is any instruction provided at this event?
Is it essential to have winter tires?
Will the ice crack and swallow my MINI?

 

>>Is any instruction provided at this event?

You can usually find an experienced person to ride with you (I've done some right-seat time on the lake in the past myself)...

>>Is it essential to have winter tires?

No, your car (and its times) will be classed with those who are running a similar setup (street tires, snow tires, ice tires, studded tires). I think it's the best learning experience to run what you normally use on the street.

>>Will the ice crack and swallow my MINI?

20+ years with no incidents. The event organizers live on the lake shore and do constant monitoring of both ice thickness and ice quality. We don't run without at least 10 inches of solid ice. That's why there are so many tentative dates in order to get 5 events.

 

This is great fun and I highly recommend it. I did three events last year and wish I'd done more. Check it out:
BMW CCA 2003 photos
The fifth car down is me!

Ian, as Noam said, you don't need winter tires - you get classified appropriately with what ever tires you have. Even with my snow tires, there's tons of sliding and you can very clearly feel the affects of the DSC (if you leave it on). The secret is to know when to use it and when not to use it. It's a great, safe, fun learning experience (though sometimes, a COLD one).

I hope to see a bunch of MINIs on the ice this year.

Carl

 

Here's the pic. Very nice.

 

Okay sign me up and keep us in the loop as to when and where.

 

> Here's the pic. Very nice.

Thanks, DiD.

Carl

 

I am pre-registered and ready to go. Not gonna make it this weekend as the Pats game is on at 3, and the following Sunday is the Big Dig run, so maybe after that one I will be there!

I've got snows on my car, and it looks as if its more lax than summer events and I don't need a helmet or anything, right? Just show up and drive?

 

>>
>>I've got snows on my car, and it looks as if its more lax than summer events and I don't need a helmet or anything, right? Just show up and drive?

Yup, just show up and drive. REMEMBER TO CHECK THE HOTLINE BEFORE HEADING UP NORTH - Mother Nature isn't always kind to us, so be sure to check to see if any event is a go. It's a long drive if there's no event...

 

I'm registered too.
Seems to be a bit more action on this subject over at mini2 in the NE Regional Forum.
http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45288