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ICE TIME TRIALS

ICE TIME TRIALS
by Matt BenDaniel

Location:       Newfound Lake, near Bristol, New Hampshire. 
                Two hours North of Boston.
Directions:     Take 93n, exit 23, left on 104w, past Bris-
                tol take the right fork, at the flashing 
                yellow go left onto Westshore Road (from 
                now on the lake will be on your right), 
                turn right at the tree with signs on it, 
                turn right at Ledges Condominiums.
Times:          Registration is 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. on Sundays 
                1/22, 2/5, 2/12 & 3/5. Usually ends by 3:00 p.m.
                Call hotline 617-894-8766 for latest info.
Sanctioned by:  The Boston Chapter of the BMW Car Club of 
                America, licensed by New Hampshire Depart-
                ment of Safety.

Common Questions and Answers:

Q: What is the event format?
A: First you get some practice laps. Then you get timed 
laps, during which usually only one car is allowed on the 
course at a time. You'll get about three separate timed 
runs. Your times are compared against similar cars'. Each of 
the top finishers gets a BMW drinking glass or somesuch.
Typically about forty cars show up. Afterward, we usually 
go for pizza.

Q: Will the event run if the weather's bad?
A: Probably not. Call BMW CCA hotline at 617-894-8766 before 
each event. If the weather's been too warm, we postpone the 
event until the ice is thick enough.

Q: Couldn't my car fall through the ice into the lake?
A: This has never happened in the fifteen years the club has 
been running these events. The event is run by experienced 
personnel who have reliable ways to gauge the strength of 
the ice. I think a solid 18 inches thick is minimum, which 
is very strong. On your way to the event, you will pass by 
an entire "town" out on the ice, complete with huts and 
parking lots.

Q: Are there any risks to my car?
A: Not much really. Going off-course lands you in a soft, 
low snow bank. The major risk is to your ego, if you go off 
in the same location more than twice. You'll have to endure 
good-natured ribbing as the course workers help push your 
car back onto the course. Low air dams on sports cars might 
get roughed up a little. Ice driving is gentle on your en-
gine, brakes and tires. 

Q: What is the course like?
A: It's basically an oval with some extra curves. Of course, 
it can get very slippery (that's the point) and/or wet.

Q: How fast can I go?
A: If you're skilled, and under certain conditions, you can 
achieve over 40 mph. "Your mileage may vary."

Q: Why would I want to drive on the ice?
A: It's fun. And it's great practice for driving in diffi-
cult Winter conditions. You will become more confident in 
Winter driving.

Q: How do I need to prepare?
A: Wear warm clothes. On cold days it gets very cold out 
there. On warm days it gets very wet. A significant portion 
of your time is spent standing around watching the other 
drivers take their runs. I recommend warm layered clothes, 
gloves/mittens, your warmest/most-waterproof footwear, a hat 
and sunglasses. Earmuffs can be rewarding. You might want to
bring warm drinks and food, as I know of no place to get
drinks/food near the site. By the way, the "facilities"
consist of an unheated "porta-potty". 

Q: What kind of car is best for ice time trialing?
A: Just about any car will do. In fact, you'll get the maxi-
mum benefit if you use your everyday car, since that's the 
car you're driving on icy roads this Winter.

Q: Don't I need snow tires?
A. Any tires will do. Even worn Summer tires, which frankly 
I wouldn't feel safe running on Massachusetts roads in the 
Winter.

Q: I have no ambitions of being a racing driver. Is this go-
ing to be intimidating for me?
A: It's a very relaxed atmosphere. Other clubs run highly 
competitive wheel-to-wheel ice racing, so that sort of per-
son goes to those events and considers ours to be too tame. 
Just about everyone at our events would be more than happy 
to share with you what they know about cars and driving.

Q: I do want to be a racing driver. What will I get out of 
this?
A: Handling on ice simulates high-speed oversteer/
understeer. Perfect ice driving means being at the 
limit of adhesion 100% of the time.

Q: How are the cars classed?
A: There are nine classes based upon the type of tire 
(Summer, all-season, mud+snow, and studded) and driveline 
(rear wheel drive vs. fwd/4wd). 

Q: Do I have a chance of winning my class?
A: Sure. Anyone will be able to successfully get around the 
course. But ice driving is a skill like anything else. Win-
ning technique involves being smooth with steering, gas and 
brakes, and it's very rewarding to build up these skills.

Q: Does it cost anything?
A: About $20 per driver. This goes toward the permit from 
New Hampshire, gas for the plow, and $1000 has been donated 
annually from ice time trials proceeds to the Lahey Clinic 
and the Bristol Community Center.

Q: Will I be asked to help out with the event?
A: Probably. We take turns standing around the course so we 
can help push wayward cars back onto the course. We also 
need people to time the cars. No individual associated with 
the event is paid anything. The event chairperson plows the 
course for us.

Q: Can multiple drivers drive the same car?
A: Yes. I think we actually had over ten people drive one 
car at an event last year. More than three drivers in a car 
does make logistics a little tougher.