chapter 373

1/25/2014

Ice Racing

cold is the new hot

It's cool. Literally. At 25 degrees in the sun it might seem warm but the wind was a killer for me, an hour was all I could only take. This was off Browns Beach our new free public access to Saratoga Lake. Thanks to Global Foundries, micro chips and you cell phonies.

Jake Constantine #13 above, took second place in the Open Expert Div 1 moto 1 with Justin Dickenson #23 B coming in third. First place went to Lowell M Carson #26B  (Go Pro Video, I'm at far side of turn one).

The Electric City Riders group seemed to be sanctioning the races under ENYSC. This rider group was sanctioned by the ANA in 1942. They race on dirt in the summer and John Spitzie Splittberger's Roamer club used to race against them in those early days when he started his Harley Davidson dealership (and later took my Triumph in on trade for a new Sportster).

The 2 wheelers were the most exciting with the gravity defying antics.  Adam Carpinello #58 and Jeff Clark #173 also competed in this open expert class. Robert Radley # 347 wore a cam winning 2013 NYS Championship race. OMG very very cool if you can stand it.

In the championship round of the Open Expert class  Lowell M Carson #26B wins wearing GoPro video beating Jake Constantine (I'm on the far side of this turn one, video from 2 years prior almost carbon copy).

Approaching the turn they have to put the foot down for balance to not lay the bike down. Tom Rotondaro #21 did not finish but Marty Christopher #111 took third in the old-timers 50+ Div 1 moto 1. Marty volunteers for our Auto Museum where I captured him on a 1914 Indian video.

The 4 wheelers were powerful too. Metal studded tires all around. Thought the ice spray indicated 4WD but it's just sliding action, no front driveshaft. Without telephoto I'd be lost. The #11 with Kyle McAuliffe apparently went on to beat the #19 and win the TT Quad B Div 1 moto 2 according to the web site.

Part of the crowd before the race watching the race course surface prep (retirement job for Warren Fay?). A lot of youngsters and oldsters involved.

Always feeling a need to document the event this is wide shot from the beach before walking out. You could go with boots but I used my spiked ice shoe strap-ons. Christie did her crew races at the far end of the lake.

Many ways to enjoy winter. This guy uses his $10,000 4wheeler to get to a good spot to catch that 9 inch perch. Little quieter and less crowded. Guess it's not about getting a free fish dinner.

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