Cars on Ice

[randyzimmer]

I love ice racing but as far as using the smart?
No plans for this at all.
If I were there with the smart -
I'd have to do a lap or two just to try it but
I'm afraid it'd be painful as the TC and stability would
take all control away.
Access would be very hard as the TC stops the car when both tires slip
and access is usually the most challenging part of the whole day.
Having a truck and rope pull it over the ruts and bumps in the cold
would probably leave the undertray behind.

ice racing video:
http://www.randyzimmer.com/video/cnyira/ice2finish.mov

[Neonspinnazz]

People riding quads and snowmobiles die on the Chain o' Lakes each year. I wouldn't even think of going out on the ice with any car, let alone walking on it!
As I was in Wisconsin last winter, we did pass by a lake with 10+ SUVs sitting dead center of the lake, I bet the ice wasn't too happy.

If you want to chance it that much, get a beater from a junkyard, spray paint some numbers on it, and go.

BTW - I highly recommend a lifejacket

[MrVvrroomm]

Yes, I will be taking mine onto the lakes this year.

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by Neonspinnazz

People riding quads and snowmobiles die on the Chain o' Lakes each year. I wouldn't even think of going out on the ice with any car, let alone walking on it!

Chain of lakes has moving water under it, Moving water doesn't Freeze well. Very unpredictable, but if you are on a snowmobile you just keep moving fast and you should get over it.

YouTube - Snowmobile on water in summer

YouTube - Snowmobile on water in summer

4 wheelers are another story. You need to put floatation devices on them

[exipnaki]

Up here people not only drive on ice but for ice fishing tournaments many cars park on it like it is a parking lot. I won't drive on ice except on a snowmobile and only on certain lakes.

[SmartDigger]

Anyone ever watch Ice Road Truckers LOL

[Brabus]

How about you NH and Mass folks without electricity for a few days from the ice storm...ice driving in the dark. ExTreMe Heated seats never felt so good.

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by forestacademy

Chain of lakes has moving water under it, Moving water doesn't Freeze well. Very unpredictable, but if you are on a snowmobile you just keep moving fast and you should get over it.

YouTube - Snowmobile on water in summer

4 wheelers are another story. You need to put floatation devices on them

Exactly, people use snowmobiles on water all the time, but when the snowmobile leaves the ice onto water and then back to ice, that's when they become trapped under ice, it's more of a 50/50 kind of deal at the chain.
-on the lake where I live at on the chain, ice fishing is a BIG THING!
And the ice at this lake has been known to be very stable. I think the ice related death count at this lake is 0.

As far as 4 Wheelers go, I knew someone who added foam fins to the tires and some lifejackets under the body and he used it as a jetski.

BTW - I've seen Ice Road Truckers before, you'd have to pay me 50+ an hour to do that!

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by MrVvrroomm

Yes, I will be taking mine onto the lakes this year.

That's MN. you guys have Rock Hard ice up there!
- If I ever go out on the ice, it'll have to be up in MN or WI

[jimvw57]

I'm sure those Ice Road truckers get much more than $50 an hour.

Most lakes up here are relativly safe but that doesn't mean you should trust them. Some are spring fed and never freeze over completely.

At our anual snowmobile show they park all the cars and trucks on the ice. As well as racing and swap meet areas. Ice has been up to 2 ft thick.