Ice racing build time..

The leaves are falling and I want to go racing on water.. (hard water that is) Ice racing is an enduro where refueling is when drivers are swapped and tires are replaced with ones that haven't had most of the studs pulled out.. Stock {and reliable} with good shocks seems to be the formula. So what is cheap, stock, and reliable? I suspect AWD is a major bonus but the car will take hits during the race.. many hits typically, so it's a bit of a demo-derby so a willingness to toss it away means it must be insanely cheap

I've only done autocross-style ice racing and I've only done 2 events. I am not an expert and barely qualify as an amateur.

I was very impressed with how a FWD Escort w/ studs handled the lake. Where RWD requires you to lift to point the car for that momentum swing, FWD just pulls you where you need to go and you can keep the throttle in as long as the esses are wide enough. While FWD was very powerful in the side-to-side transfer sections, it falls somewhat flat on long sweepers unless you have suicidally high entry speed (in which case, you can carry the back end out and keep speed up). Throttle maintenance was everything and braking was always optional.

If you're racing a car where you're half-or-more-throttle 100% of the time, you need damn good cooling and oil thick enough to withstand the heat. A good radiator'll hopefully be enough to keep your engine inside your bay!

Other than that, pick whatever has a strong transmission and a differential that won't explode because it's confused.

I was passing by Lake George NY a few years ago and caught the vintage ice races. Super, super cool! I would love to do this. Good luck with this and keep us posted!

Under the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club Rules (AMEC) you have several choices. From un studded street legal to all out tube framed modifieds.

So check with the organization you plan to run with. Some clubs do not allow studs. In two wheel drive, FWD is much superior to RWD. Unless you have tons of studs and side panels. Our street legal class has a strict "no contact" rule with severe penalty. Contact in all classes is frowned on. Check it out www.icerace.com

Neons make great stock ice racers. Almost any small FWD car will work. Find the tire rule . Ice racing is a long learning period.

You need nothing special in the car. Be sure the heater works and doesn't have any fluid leaks.

Oh, you will need a helmet. Check with what is allowed.

Have warm clothing for when you are not racing. It gets COLD.

In reply to iceracer:

Do convertibles (Miatas) require a roll bar in AMEC street class?

This has always sounded like so much fun. Seems like a good solution for vehicles too tired to rallycross....