CH.Detailing
What's a detail?
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!
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!
assout:
