Historic Ice Racing returns to upstate New York for 2007!

[Mike Kamm]

Last winter, the Adirondack Motor Enthusiat Club (http://www.icerace.com/) brought you the very first Historic Ice Racing event in the US. The entire story with photos is all documented on the inagural Historic Ice Racing (http://www.grmotorsports.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=10076&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0&sid=5fabcf1de1c05fcdd9a483f4312b51b3) thread.

We are a year round motorsports club and have recently celebrated our 53rd year of operation this past summer. What we are best known for however is our winter ice racing series on the frozen lakes of the southern Adirondack mountains just north of Albany, NY. We have been ice racing our automobiles on the lakes of upstate New York's Capital district for the past 42 years.

Although it wasn't our initial intention for this to be an annual event, the feedback from the racers from our inagural Historic Ice Racing event this past February was so positive and persistent, that we feel compelled to do it again this winter.

So it's official:

We're doing it again for 2007!

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Once again we have decided to host a new exhibition class called the "Historic Class" to showcase some of those classic Saab, Volvo, Datsun, Citroen, Chevy, Ford, VW, MG, Subaru, Mini, Fiat, Porche, etc. ice racing cars like the one's from our past. The new Historic class will be run on the Saturday of the biggest ice racing event of the season, the two day Lake George Winter Carnival weekend on February 24th and 25th. There will be an abbreviated schedule for all regular classes to ensure plenty of seat time for your Historic class ice racer. Once again it will look like 1969 out there all over again!

Much to our surprise, our historic ice race driver's enthusiasm has not waned in the off season. In fact over the summer, I have been contacted by several people who have aquired, or are restoring cars specifically for this event. Evidently there were quite a few people that had the sit back, wait and see approach for our inagural event, which was the first of it's kind in the US. Some came to spectate and "test the waters" so to speak. Now after witnessing our inagural event they are ready to join the fray after seeing how much good clean fun they missed. Exhibition ice driving/racing is an absolutely unique driving experience and combining it with the spectacle of classic sports and compact cars is simply something a true enthusiast needs to take part in at least once in their lifetime! But I must warn, you, it's hard to go ice racing just once. Trust me on this one. :wink:

If there's one message to get across here, it would be to get the old iron out of storage and ready to run now, before the dead of winter sets in. Several great cars did not make it out last winter because the owners procrastinated. It's time to get them out and ready!

More details to follow shortly.

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Michael Kamm
Historic Ice Race Coordinator
European Rallycross Coordinator

[Mike Kamm]

2007 A.M.E.C. Historic Event Rules

The rules for this year's Historic Ice races will be the same as last year's inaugural event. Once again there will be three Historic Class divisions. Those will be based on the tires used. They are a rubber to ice class, a street stud class, and a screw tire class. In other words, all drivers are welcome to choose from any winter tire new or old, studded or not, and can also choose to use the home built "screw tires" A.M.E.C. used years ago before we switched to the purpose built Menard ice racing tire we run today. Menard Ice racing tires will not be legal to use for the Historic class. This is not intended to be a seriously competitive race. It is intended to be an exhibition for fun, although I'm sure there will be some careful, but spirited drives put in by some. Yes, there will be a big disparity between the different cars and tires used, but that's why we will grid the faster classes in front. Refer to the "Gridding" subtitle below.

Three Classes

Rubber to Ice Class:

This one is self explanatory. Any winter tire new or old is legal. Period correct tires are preferred, but if you want to use the new Bridgestone REVO 1's go for it! Tractionizing IS allowed. This is the old days folks. :D

Street Stud Class:

This class utilizes street studded winter tires. The number of street studs is limited to 30 per linear foot of tread surface. The old Maxi-Trac studs ARE allowed for this race. Any length stud may be used, keeping in mind that excessive stud projection will cause premature loss of stud.

Screw Tire Class

This class uses the old home built "screw" tires of old. Up to #12 sheet metal screws may be substituted for studs. They must be driven through the tire from the inside and may project no more than 3/16ths of an inch. The number of screws will be limited to 28 per linear foot of tread. Over length screws must be ground down to the proper length. There is a "How To" article on these tires HERE (http://com4.runboard.com/bamecmessageboard.f1.t42).

Car Eligibility:

This event is open to pre-'75 vintage cars. Some '75 to '79 cars may be accepted, including all round headlight Japanese cars to '79. Simply contact me at: mkamm@icerace.com with your request. This race is not limited to former ice racing cars only. Street driven and vintage race cars are welcomed with open arms.
Course Layout:

A.M.E.C. races are run on frozen road courses, approximately 1.5 miles in length.

Gridding:

We will grid the faster screw tire class first, followed by the street stud and rubber to ice classes for safety. We do the same for our weekly street legal no-contact classes. We have found that having the faster cars come up through the pack from the rear is counterproductive to the no contact rule.

Daily agenda and race format:

Friday, February 23rd:
We will once again offer a complimentary driver's school and test 'n tune event on Friday afternoon after the track is plowed. Friday's track time will be for Historic Class drivers only. Sorry, no regular weekly ice racing class cars will be allowed.

Saturday, February 24th:
There will be a 10 minute morning warm up session for all cars, followed by three 20 minute heat races, during Saturday's program. All three classes race in the same heats. Just like 40 years ago, standing starts will be employed.

Dinner and Awards:
A.M.E.C. will be presenting trophies for the top three finishers for all three Historic classes on Saturday night, A.M.E.C. will be having a dinner and awards presentation. Location TBA.

Anyone considering participating or having any questions is asked to please contact Mike Kamm at: mkamm@icerace.com or phone (518) 674-0520.

I also have a Historic Class email list that I use for updates. To join the list simply email me at the address above.

[Mike Kamm]

Host Hotel information:

The host hotel for this event will the Holiday Inn Turf- Lake George [right in the village, less than a minute from the lake] http://www.lakegeorgeturf.com/.
Hotel Reservations:1-888-HOLIDAY (888-465-4329)
Hotel Front Desk: (518) 668-5781

This is where the action will be before and after the races. It is right next door to the Mount Prospect Diner [where morning race registration will be], and where the racers and their families will be dining, including the special Saturday night awards banquet. There is a special low rate for Historic class ice racers, but to take advantage of it, you must reserve your room by February 9th to get the lower rate. Make sure you mention that you are with the A.M.E.C. ice racing club when you are making your reservation, or simply ask for Sharon.

[Mike Kamm]

For a recap of this outstanding event please see the sister thread in the ice racing forum HERE (http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=9995&highlight=historic).

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