BMW CCA Ice Racing - February

[LordBass]

After the 2007 season was cancelled due to poor ice condition, the Boston BMW CCA Ice Racing series is expected to be back this month.

The event is highly recommended for anyone interested in a taste of autocross & rallycross competition. I ran in the single event in 2006 and loved it. Very relaxed group, lots of seat time, low impact on the car, and totally sublime out on Newfound Lake.

Thanks to our sponsors, Bavarian Autosport and Foreign Motors West!

We have ICE!!! We have to do some more measuring to do determine how soon we can run. I'm hoping the 17th is a good shot! The 10th seems to be too tight, but who knows. More news soon!

Stan Jackson Jr.
Boston Chapter BMW CCA
Ice Racing Coordinator

Please direct any questions or comments about this email to BlackIce@inxces.net

For more Event information please go to http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/ultimate-calendar.aspx
Here's a video from 2006. Ruslan's car on homemade studded tires and more than twice as fast as the rest of the field:
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[Skidder]

That subie was flyin... I'll go to this if they have it. I dont have studs so I'm not planning on being competitive I just want to go and have some fun.

[ValuePack]

Pissed! I've been wanting to try this for 5+ years... guess there's no time like the present. I'll be in a FWD car again as of this afternoon, but at least I have two sets of snows hanging around here that'll fit.

[Bu11dogg2]

I just popped 2 snow tires :(

[FreakBurrito]

I just popped 2 snow tires :(


Wha????

[HamSocks]

How competitive is this? I'd like to just go on my all-seasons and dorifto around the track.

[Skidder]

I was reading about it on the BMWCCA web site and I guess its not really a competitive thing, just having fun. But they do have a class for AWD with all-season tires... so we can race each others times, YOU SHOULD COME!

[LordBass]

Classes break down by drive wheels & tyre type:

FWD / RWD / AWD
and
All-seasons/Snows/Studded or Unlimited, something like that

All-seasons are ok, but I recommended having at least bargain basement snows. The 2006 event was 90% glare ice - any car on all-seasons would likely still be on the lake today. I have Blizzak WS-50s. Plenty good.

And yes, fun is the #1 goal. Runs are timed but the group is the most laid back I've run with.

[Robk0000]

I have allseasons!

I might need a push to get started but after that should be exciting to watch

[Jon]

this seems like so much fun, i want to go!

[AllWheelDriveIsAllIllDriv]

i did it once with my roomate and his civic, plus a friends saab which blew a radiator hose so he never actually raced. Its a fun time on the ice for sure. wish I was in town.

[TurboRush]

I'd be interested.

[mdungelman]

This sounds like a good time. Though the ice isn't going to be too good after this rain/snow. But hopefully it'll get cold again soon. Where are the events?

[Skidder]

Newfound Lake.

I hope it gets colder because I'm pretty sure my insurance doesn't cover swim lessons. Theres no way your getting me out on the ice first.

[LordBass]

..and Newfound Lake is a little bit north/west of New Hampton - it's only 3/4 of the way to EBF.

Keep in mind that in the 20+ years that the Jackson's have hosted this series, there has not been a single "swimming" accident.

If the ice is crap, there's no racing.

[pjk91]

lol. i should try. 225/45/17 all-seasons! fwd! no lsd!

[Murphy2012]

When is the event?

[Nate8409]

Friggin right you should. I'll come too with Christmas Sentra!

lol. i should try. 225/45/17 all-seasons! fwd! no lsd!

[Jon]

so what happened? I really wanted to go to this!

[Robk0000]

It is never going to happen, its to warm and the ice is melting. youre better off waiting for it to snow and play in that for a few hours.

[Jon]

too warm?? ice melting?? not yet. It might be warm today, but it's not going to last. Don't worry about losing any ice till march. It's not getting any thinner. It'll cool down again then we can get out on the ice. We've got almost 20 inches at my cottage.

[Robk0000]

alrighty then, i would go but with all season tires, id need a push just to get started.

[FreakBurrito]

Wednesday February 13, 2008
-- Boston Chapter Ice Racing Bulletin for February 13, 2008 --

Sponsored by Foreign Motors West and Bavarian Autosport -- Thank You!


This is a critical Bulletin, and I would appreciate it of you would read it through completely if you have any interest at all in Ice Racing.

The 2008 Ice Racing season has gone from an extremely favorable start -- the lake actually froze over before Christmas (but unfortunately reopened) -- to very difficult. In the last week or so we have received over two feet of snow and some rain as well. The surface of Newfound Lake is currently unuseable, regardless of ice thickness. I plan to inspect other lakes in the area to see if they are any better. We are hopeful that changes will occur that allow us to run somewhere!

Additionally, we have lost the use of the Ledges Condo Clubhouse and lake entrance. PLEASE read this, as I want you all to understand how critical your behavior is to our events. Apparently, someone was walking along West Shore Road with their wife near the start of our 2006 Ice Race. He felt that several cars were driving too fast, and believed that one almost hit his wife. Whether his opinion was reasonable is irrelevant. He followed that vehicle onto the ice in order to talk to the driver. I'm not sure whether a conversation ensued or not, but he claims that the driver gestured to him rudely -- the one-finger sort. "He" turned out to be on the Board of Directors for the Ledges. This is undoubtedly the primary reason why we have lost those facilities.

It is conceivable that those who caused the problem were not part of our group, but there is no way to know at this point. As someone else said to me when I related this story, under those circumstances, the driver should have engaged in conversation and spouted apology after apology, even if he felt the walkers were being unreasonable. We run at the pleasure of the organizations and people that provide access. We MUST keep them happy. I trust that nothing like this will ever, ever occur again, and that it truly was a one-time incident from the past as well.

We are working hard to find alternatives to keep Ice Racing going this year. If you would like to help, I need possible venues. Smaller lakes with some sort of facilities that could be rented. Restaurants, motels, condos, even a large house, etc. on the water. Heat, bathrooms, and running water are pretty important. Ponds are generally too small. A portion of a larger lake, such as a bay that freezes early on Winnipesaukee, is a possibility. Mascoma Lake in the Enfield area is high on my list (access would be up Route 91 or off Route 89 out of Concord), but there are many, many other possibilities.

If you are aware of options, please provide any details that you have. The more info, the better. Giving me the name of a lake is a start, but if you can check for vehicular access, talk to an ice fisherman about the ice condition and thickness, and search for possible facilities, that is much more helpful. I can't see us straying more than about an hour from the Bristol/Plymouth area. Even that is a long way for us to make numerous trips. Finally, unless you have an existing personal relationship, please let me contact any potential facilities.

I appreciate all your interest and offers of help, but at this point in time, new lakes and venues are the only help that we can use. Keep your fingers crossed!


See you on the ice!

Stan Jackson Jr.
Boston Chapter BMW CCA
Ice Racing Coordinator

[mdungelman]

too warm?? ice melting?? not yet. It might be warm today, but it's not going to last. Don't worry about losing any ice till march. It's not getting any thinner. It'll cool down again then we can get out on the ice. We've got almost 20 inches at my cottage.

Yes it is too warm and the ice is melting. On top of that the ice isn't "good ice". Meaning that it has been rainy, snowy, warm, cold, blah blah blah... Last year the conditions were great, 12+ inches of clear black ice out there. This stuff thats out there now is highly sketchy. If you've got 20" at your cottage then you're lucky. Is this a pond, on a lake, in a cove? Conditions in the open lake are very poor for taking a vehicle out.

[Robk0000]

Who done it?

[FreakBurrito]

Dear Boston Chapter Member,
-- Boston Chapter Ice Racing Bulletin for February 19, 2008 --

Sponsored by Foreign Motors West and Bavarian Autosport -- Thank You!


Well, how quickly things can change! The rain over the weekend was actually very helpful. It probably would have been good if we had gotten even remotely close to the 50-52 degrees experienced both north and south of us, but our high on Monday was a lofty 34 -- go figure. Nevertheless, most of the snow on the ice has been watered down or melted down, and we are just waiting for a full re-freeze.

Things won't be as simple as in the past, but we have a plan in place to run this weekend. Online registration will hopefully be opening soon, and I will have to post new directions once the exact location is known. Stay tuned and think cold!


See you on the ice!

Stan Jackson Jr.
Boston Chapter BMW CCA
Ice Racing Coordinator



WOOOOOT!!!

[Jon]

YES!!!!

[Skidder]

Looks like the weather is in our favor (fingers crossed)... who is planning on doing this?

[LordBass]

I've been waiting two years for another ice race session, but this event is only two days out and arrangements are still not confirmed.

I do hope it comes together, and plan to go.

[FreakBurrito]

I just saw the last e-mail. Final decision is Saturday at noon.....

[Skidder]

I registered... I'm optimistic that the event will happen.

[LordBass]

Sunday Feb 24 cancelled:

Dear Boston Chapter Member,

-- Boston Chapter Ice Racing Bulletin for February 23, 2008 --

Sponsored by Bavarian Autosport -- Thank You!



Unfortunately, we will be UNABLE to Ice Race tomorrow, Sunday February 24th. The ice entrance is simply too much of an unknown. It might be fine tomorrow, it might not be frozen solid again until Monday. We can't run with that uncertainty. We attempted to find an alternative solution, but have run out of time.

The good news is that we are addressing the issue and should be able to run without issue on March 2nd!

See you on the ice!

Stan Jackson Jr.
Boston Chapter BMW CCA
Ice Racing Coordinator

[Skidder]

Ya... huge bummer.

Try again next week.

[mdungelman]

I talked with one of my buddies who has dealt with the ice for a long time. Apparently the biggest issue right now is the ice thickness around the edges. I'm gonna try and find a local spot to get on. Maybe Center Harbor. It'd be fun to get out and play around for a bit. I think I might register if they're gonna be racing next weekend.

[Skidder]

So they are on for tomorrow... but I'm undecided if I want to go or not.

Anyone here going?

[Murphy2012]

Where is it going to be

[Skidder]

Newfound lake... probably about a 15 min drive for you.

Heres the official directions:
Route 93 North.
Exit 23 (New Hampton).
Left off the ramp onto Route 104 West towards Bristol.
About 6 miles to Bristol.
(good place to get gas, only one store after this)
At the light in Bristol, go straight through, now on Route 3A North.
Continue on 3A North for about 9 miles.
You will see "Hillside Inn Condominiums" on your left as you are climbing a hill.
You will also see Newfound Lake (and perhaps the course!) behind the white condo/inn building.
Left onto North Shore Road at the top of that hill.
GO SLOW IT IS EXTREMELY EXTREMELY BUMPY, think 10-20mph (doubled adjective intentional)!!
After about one mile you will go up and then down a long steep hill.
Get on the BRAKES and go SLOW down the hill!!
FIRST left turn as you are coming down the hill.
It is marked with an orange cone with a BMW Roundel on it.

(There is a private dirt road 50 feet beyond the driveway – Lake Shore Drive -- too far)
(If you reach the Newfound Marina, you have gone 500 feet too far)


Remember, SLOW and CAUTIOUS in the driveway.
Bear right in the driveway where it splits.
Proceed straight out onto the lake.
Absolutely NO parking on the property.

This will be a ONCE on, ONCE off event. Bring lunch, water, and a full fuel tank! If you leave for lunch or gas, you will be asked not to return. Be smart about WARM clothes, gloves, and shoes. You can always switch shoes to take your runs, but don't stand around all day in sneakers!

[Jon]

oh i really want to go... maybe i'll shoot up for the afternoon.

[Skidder]

Some friends talked me into it... I'll be there.

[TurboRush]

goddamnet... wish I had made an effort to follow this thread.

[Skidder]

Its a shame you guys didn't make it out... it was awesome out there. Such a beautiful day once the afternoon came around. There was a plowed out un-timed section for us to practice in; so while I only got 3 timed runs I took about 15 laps on the test loop. We didn't get tons of timed runs because people wouldn't stop hitting snowbanks... but it was pretty fun watching Audi's crash.

[Robk0000]

We didn't get tons of timed runs because people wouldn't stop hitting snowbanks... but it was pretty fun watching Audi's crash.


Which is why i didnt come, along with ignoring the emails i recieved lol.