Ice Racing set-up and driving tips?

[Fidhle007]

Well it seems the BMWCCA Ice Racing will start up here soon and while I'd consider myself an adequate RWD driver in slippery conditions I'm still having some pre-event jitters.

Currently the car sits on coilovers (375/500 GC/Bilstein Sports) set about as high as they'll go with the camber set stock. Tires are Gislaved Nordfrost 3s in 205/55/16, not studded. Removed all sound deadening from the trunk and rear of the cabin (about 70lbs) and then promptly put two 50lb grain bags in the trunk for traction.

My setup questions are these: should I keep the weight in the back (I'm thinking traction will be more of a concern than low weight) and how much negative camber should I run? I'm not sure how much that would really effect things but I'd like to know if anyone has any thoughts.

As far as driving goes, I figure it's going to be a lot like every snowstorm we've gotten thus far but if anyone knows anything cool that will make me faster I'd be glad to hear it!

Thanks!
Brendan

[Teaguer]

Put your girl ...Kate Soggybottoms or whatever in the trunk for mad traction .

Oh and I smell a nice r3v in your not too distant future . :)

[Fidhle007]

Teaguer, how about something useful or fuck off, mmk?

[Teaguer]

[Shoomakan]

Install tractor wheels....


Kidding.. What would really help is a very low psi setting for maximum grip. Oddly enough, a very weird idea came to my head... Fit a tank in the trunk, and attach 2 pipes to it, one over every wheel.. And have it spray a saline liquid over the wheels at all times, that would do wonders... I had the same thing in my old Beetle but with oil. lol

Anyways... most importantly, please be careful. I've raced in the snow before, but never without some unwelcome results.

[Fidhle007]

Well, normally I would never consider racing my IS on snow but in a BMWCCA controlled auto-x-type environment I'm willing to give it a go. I've driven RWD cars in New England all my life so it seems like a fitting thing to do...

[AlarmedBread]

Just go have fun, don't worry so much about setup. The best thing you could do is run studded tires if that is allowed.

[Stu]

I'd think a skinnier tire (185ish) would be of help, and possibly running the rear ride height lower than the front to get the sum'bitch to hook up. Don't listen to me, I don't know jack about racing in the ice

[Fidhle007]

I'd think a skinnier tire (185ish) would be of help, and possibly running the rear ride height lower than the front to get the sum'bitch to hook up. Don't listen to me, I don't know jack about racing in the ice

Well my tires were free (one of the perks of being a tech) so they stay, but I do have my rear end a little lower already so maybe that will be a good thing. I'm mostly wondering about the front camber as that's the easiest thing to adjust...

[kishg]

sounds like fun. wish they did that around here, i'd take the ix out :)

[Fidhle007]

It's not that far away.... The first event should be on the 17th I believe.

[kishg]

It's not that far away.... The first event should be on the 17th I believe.

it's 5hrs away :) white mountain chapter?

[Fidhle007]

Boston Chapter actually, but they hold them in NH.

[Fidhle007]

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/...ing-rules.aspx

Looks like I'm in Class C... Gotta love that registration cost though!

[1991 318is]

Wide tires on 14" rims, low pressure, and soft springs.