Ice Racing set-up and driving tips?

[gearheadE30]

I'd love to come up there, but that is a long way away :( too bad we don't do ice racing in Indy. My suggestions are use a higher tire pressure. I know that other people say lower is better, but it has to be probly 35 or so to keep the tread from deforming. You want to keep the tread blocks as solid as possible so that the edges of the blocks can grip as much as possible. Front camber doesn't matter too much because you arent "steering" per se, you are sliding. Your springs are a little too stiff unless the ice is smooth, but it should be fine. Set the ride height as high as you can; ice racers get traction because of weight transfer. If ou have adjustable swaybars, set them to full soft. It's your first time, so don't get too serious about it ;)

[Fidhle007]

Don't worry about setup at all. Maybe bring your ballast along just to try it, but ice racing is 95% tires and throttle control.
And its not really a super-competitive thing- just have fun and stay warm.

Cool deal, that seemed like the case, glad to hear it! Will you be out there at all?

[Brew]

Don't worry about setup at all. Maybe bring your ballast along just to try it, but ice racing is 95% tires and throttle control.
And its not really a super-competitive thing- just have fun and stay warm.

[Fidhle007]

Ok people, the tires are staying. My adjustments available are front camber and ride height all around although I'd rather not mess with the latter as it's pretty much where I want it for the winter. The low pressure thing only has so much truth to it, I run my tires at 30 psi and that's the lowest I will go because the sidewalls are so soft. I think I'm going to have to trust my instincts on this one as it seems the majority of people are from warmer climes on this board. Those of you with track experience I appreciate the insight though! Keep it coming!

[gry demon325]

Wide tries in snow ?!

Have you never seen rally, you need Skinny tires, not wide tires.

+1...

Never raced on ice before, but I would assume you would want a similar alignment to what you would run at the track...2.5-3.0 degrees of negative camber...

[Jean]

Wide tries in snow ?!

Have you never seen rally, you need Skinny tires, not wide tires.

[1991 318is]

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

[Fidhle007]

http://www.boston-bmwcca.org/events/2006/ice-racing-rules.aspx

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

[Fidhle007]

Boston Chapter actually, but they hold them in NH.

[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]

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

[kishg]

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

[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...

[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

[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.