Another Stunted Season, But We Had Fun

Fred Beck placed second in class C with his 2002. (all photos by Dave O'Mara)

New this year is a bobhouse which was used to keep the timing equipment warm.

Lise Mendham, first time ice racer, in husband Ted's Nissan Sentra pro rally car.

The weather was sunny and not too cold.

Steve Bernstein won class C (rear drive, snow tires) in his 528e.

Peter Weber sliding sideways in his 325iX.

Brad Weber drives a 325iX to win class X (four wheel drive).

Mike Klepikov getting some instruction from Stan Jackson.

Despite rumors that have prompted the arrival of a sympathy card here at the Jackson residence (thanks to the Mendhams), Ice Time Trials have not passed away! El Niño has not been kind to those who enjoy winter, even this far north. However, we were able to run our first and only event of the 1998 season on Sunday, February 22nd.

The day was beautiful for an event, sunny and not too cold. Due to ice thickness and condition, we were unable to operate at our normal location in front of the Ledges Condominiums. A relatively new winter access, near Wellington State Park, became our launching point instead. The course had been laid out the day before by chairman Stan Jackson, and we had obtained a trusty port-a-potty, loaded in the back of the plow vehicle, as in years ago.

1998 was Steve Jackson's first year in charge of the timing equipment, as well as Stan Jackson Jr.'s first real season as the registrar. Augmenting the new personnel was a new piece of equipment, a timing bobhouse (sans Scott Kominik's flag), which you might have noticed in one of the photos. This small building was originally designed for ice-fishing, and dozens of them dot Newfound Lake in the winter. The new bobhouse will keep our timing staff warm and out of the winter wind while being located right next to the course, instead of 1000 feet of delicate cable away. Purchased and customized last season, the new setup was quickly recognized as a big improvement.

Unfortunately, a lot of you gave up on us too early this year, and we had about twenty participants and a handful of spectators arrive on Sunday. We were anticipating a wet, slushy event, as those had been the conditions for the last several days.

The night before the event, the three inches of slush on top of the ice mostly froze, but not solidly. As we drove the course in practice Sunday morning, we broke up that top surface, creating potholes that were a bit harsh on the vehicles. We made a couple of attempts to move or alter the course, to no avail. Most of our entries accepted the refunds we felt obligated to offer.

The other diehard nine chose to weather the tough conditions, so we obliged by holding a regular event and operating the timing equipment. The conditions were less than ideal, but they were also extremely rare. Nevertheless, the camaraderie and friendly competition made it a classic Ice Time Trials event.

As it was a somewhat less than formal event, the participants were not requested to run in order, leading the exuberant Mike Klepikov to complete eight runs before he finally decided that he too had had enough. Meanwhile, the radios we were using for the first time turned out to be most effective at this event for distracting any participant who accepted a radio or radio-toting passenger. The bobhouse also played a part, as Scott Kominik discovered that he could lock Steve and Stan, or anyone else, inside.

At the end of the day, most of the participants had not taken all of the six runs we had decided to officially allow. Of the day's runs, each driver's best two were averaged for his or her time of the day. It is this average that decided the winners. Needless to say, because we ran only one event this year, these also determined the season standings.

In class C (rear drive with snow tires), Steve Bernstein took first place by 25 hundredths of a second in his 528e, just edging ahead of Fred Beck and his 2002. Boyke Siahaan aborted his mission after two runs, taking third place.

Meanwhile, Ted Mendham took first place in the only front drive class, class G (snow tires). Driving his Pro Rally prepared Nissan Sentra, Ted also scored the Fastest Time of the Day for a non-BMW. Dennis Sirois took second, with two rookies, Mike Klepikov and Lisa Mendham not far behind.

In the ever-exciting four wheel drive class X, Brad Weber grabbed first place (and Fastest Time of the Day for a BMW) out of Dad Peter Weber's grasp by just over a second. (But in all fairness, Peter took one less run in their 325iX.)

Although ice conditions can vary from smooth-as-a-baby's bottom to fast as a dirt track, the conditions we had for this event were very unusual. If we had known what the course was going to be like, it would have been a very close call whether or not to cancel. But having done the best we could with what we had, we are looking forward to a more exciting season next year. Despite two straight years of difficult ice conditions, do not expect a third. Be sure not to miss any action--no matter what the weather has been, check the chapter hotline (781) 894-8766 right through the middle of March.

To see more great shots of this event, see the Boston Chapter web site. All photos were taken by Dave O'Mara, and enlargements can be obtained (contact Stan Jr. at jackson@boston-bmwcca.org).

Stan is working on a list of those who are on-line and interested in receiving Ice Time Trial updates in the future. He will also likely contact those on the list to get feedback regarding possible alterations to next year's format. Send him an e-mail at jackson@boston-bmwcca.org if you want to get involved or just get notified. [The Boston Chapter Bulletin is the best way to keep informed of Ice Racing events. - Webmaster]

Finally, we would like to extend a big "thank you" to all those who did stay abreast of the ice conditions and managed to attend our one event for 1998. In particular, we salute those brave souls who participated in the event. Seeing people having fun is what makes the effort at these events worthwhile.

April 1998 BIMMER

Behind the Wheel: Join - Attend - Enjoy! by Mike Webb

Under the Hood: Content, Content, Content by Greg Scott

The Road Ahead: Driving Events Coming Up by Neil Schneider

Crushing The Cones: Season Starts May 3rd! by Fred Beck and John Mansfield

April 1998 New Members by Barry Tarr

Dent Wizard: These Guys Are Amazing by Dana Russian

Dent Wizard Tech Session by Will Farnsworth

First Quarter General Meeting by Neil Schneider

1998 Ice Time Trials: Another Stunted Season, But We Had Fun by Sarah Wynne Jackson and Stan Jackson Jr.

1998 Ice Time Trials Photo Gallery by Dave O'Mara

Bimmers Across The Border II by Joe Marko

Bimmers Across The Border Photo Gallery by Doug Ingram

What Does "BMW" Mean To You? by Betty Lou McClanahan

Boston Chapter Board Meeting Minutes: February 1998 by Espen Frank

Boston Chapter Mailing List by Mike Webb

More Boston Bimmer articles by Sarah Wynne Jackson

Boston Chapter Ice Racing: Winter Racing? November/December 2004 Boston Bimmer

Ice Racing 101 April 2004 Boston Bimmer

Preparing for Ice Racing March 2004 Boston Bimmer

2003 Ice Racing: Ice Racing is Like Track Racing, Only Slipperier March 2003 Boston Bimmer

2003 Ice Racing: Become A Complete Expert Driver! January/February 2003 Boston Bimmer

More Boston Bimmer articles by Stan Jackson Jr.

Boston Chapter Ice Racing: What A Winter! June 2003 Boston Bimmer

2002 Ice Racing: What Happened To Winter? May 2002 Boston Bimmer

2002 Boston Chapter Ice Racing: Stinson Lake April 2002 Boston Bimmer

Boston Chapter Ice Racing: Racing In (A) 2002 January/February 2002 Bimmer

Boston Chapter Ice Racing: Ice Racing 2001: Slippin' And Slidin' Again May 2001 Bimmer

There are 9 more Boston Bimmer articles by Stan Jackson Jr.