Human Powered Ice Races
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17th
Annual World Championship Human Powered Ice Races |
Dave has determined that the ice on Rogers Lake is unusable.
"Officially" the races are off.
But unnofficialy, you are all invited to join him on Lake Nokomis in South Minneapolis
at 10:30 AM Saturday Jan, 26th.
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Ok Folks, Well Minnesota weather has reared it's ugly January head and after frigid temps and several attempts to get down to a usable surface and not much help from the weather, our normal site at Roger's Lake in Mendota Heights is not going to be able to be made usable this year. Because of all the freeze and thaw cycles and the recent very cold weather there is a very poor native ice surface under the snow and what results even from running a very strong snowblower across it is just not going to work even if we could flood over it. Plows don't touch it, they just ride over it. What we have is multiple layers of ice and snow all stuck together. Not something we can make usable. There is one place where the ice is already in pretty good shape and we could all gather and have a little less formal racing event. Lake Nokomis, in Minneapolis just off the main beach, where the pond hockey was run last week has a pretty good surface out past the 2 rinks that are still being maintained. The run up is a good length and the roads between the ponds could be used for racing. What we can't do is get as "Official" as we would like. We would have to make things a little simpler, and just have a group of people gather for a little outdoor recreation, in a group, with ice bikes, at say, 10:30 am, on Saturday the 26th, We would use a modified timing system, so we are not quite so obvious. We could hold all of our usual events, and keep track of results but registration will be only with the timer and there will be no cost for participating. Helmets are still required! If this was to happen, you could park in the lot at Lake Nokomis if you are willing to pay into the paybox, not sure about the cost, but their website states that it ranges from .50/hr to 1.25/hr, the machine will let you know and can take coins or credit/debit cards. The other option is to pull through and drop off equipment near the main beach and then park on the road outside the pay area, only a short walk. There is a porta-potty on site, and the warming house will open up at 12:30pm. We would hope to be done sometime around 1:00pm. We will be operating outside the normal maintained skating area and want to limit our impact on the skaters as much as possible (ie: go around the maintained area). Because of this we may need to move a small amount of snow depending on what the weather brings us Friday night. If we get some bring a shovel. The rest of the course is ridable now,a little rough, but the best we are going to get without out postponing and doing a lot more work. After the races we will pick a place to gather in the area where we can get together to warm up and maybe pass out a few prizes and hash over the results and generally brag about our accomplishments and commiserate about what a poor biking winter we are having. The setup crew will start about 9:30am and if you want to help out feel free to show up, Dress warm, ride carefully, and remember it is only about 90 days till the Ironman!
Dave K. |
Directions Lake Nokomis is North of the Highway 62 Crosstown and about a mile East of I-35W. Cedar Avenue, AKA Hiway 77, crosses the SW corner of the lake. If coming North on Cedar, turn right after the bridge, on E. Nokomis Parkway. We will gather just offshore from the main beach on the NW side of the lake. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1576442 shows a rectangle defining the area where we will meet. Zooming out should allow you to determine how to get there from wherever you are. If you have a slow connection, switch the view from Hybrid to Map. |
Sponsored
by: Minnesota Human Powered Vehicle Association
Rogers Lake in Mendota Heights MN (just south of St Paul)
We will have access to St Thomas Academy's warming house and
toilets.
100 Meter Sprints start @ 10:00am
All other races to follow as soon they can be set up.
Registration on the day of the event only
Entry Fees: Up to
$15.00/Rider (may be less, won't be more) $15 would be if we have
to pay to have the course plowed.
Awards Banquet to follow last Race @ 2pm Details at race
registration
If you aren't sure you are coming, please send the info anyway. It's easier to cross you off the scoring sheets if you don't show up, than add you if you do.
DRAG RACE
The Course: The drag races will be held on the same
surface as the 100-meter time trial.
The length of the course will be 50 meters.
Procedures: Single elimination runs will be held in head
to head competition.
When the starter indicates the vehicles will race to the finish
line.
The first participant across is the winner of that heat, and will
advance to the next round.
5 LAP ICE RACE
The Course: The course will be about 3/8 mile in length in
a roughly circular shape.It will be about 16 feet wide and will
be plowed as well as possible but will not be iced or prepared.
Procedures: Participants will race in a mass start race.
All participants that wish to pull off the course must do so to
the outside of the course and pull completely off the racing
surface.
The winner will be the first person to complete the required
number of laps.
It should be
noted that in 2004, our first year at Rogers Lake, there were
quite a few cracks in the racing surfaces.
PARTICIPANT
CLASSES
Rubber Only Any HPV, bicycle, tricycle or quad that
has only rubber tires in contact with the ice.
Traction Aided Any traction and/or control aids will be
allowed which, in the opinion of the officials, do not constitute
a safety hazard.
Studded tires, sandpaper, perforated sheet metal, carding cloth,
bottle caps, industrial strength ScotchBrite
and various substances glued to tires have all been used, with
varying degrees of success.
Skate blades or similar are often used for steering.
COMPETITION
RULES
Safety: It is our intent to make this event as
safe and fun as possible so all participants must meet these
safety requirements prior to competition or use of any racing
surfaces.
Conduct: Due to the nature of the ice racing surface many vehicles will have studs or blades or other sharp objects to provide traction. It will be the responsibility of each participant to attempt to minimize any danger to themselves or others and not to act in a careless or dangerous manner. Any breach of this may, at the discretion of race officials, be reason for immediate revocation of racing privileges for the remainder of the event without appeal.
Safety Inspection The assigned safety officer will inspect
and certify all participants to meet the following criteria prior
to any competition. All participants will complete and pass a
safety inspection to include:
b. All participants must
have a way to safely bring themselves and or their
vehicle to a stop in an ice environment. < c. All
participants will be required to wear at all times while
on any racing surface an approved bicycle or motorcycle
helmet that is properly fitted. These must have a sticker
in place.
d. Any participant
that uses sharp points (studs) or blades in the drive
system that extend more then 1/4 inch in length from the
surface of the part that touches the ice, and wishes to
participate in any multiple rider events, must provide
protection for others or themselves from falling into or
onto this drive system during competition.
(Studs
longer than about 1/8" will just slow you down, so
this shouldn't be a problem. Mark)
e. All participants will be required to have a signed release waiver before admission to any racing surfaces.
f. All decisions of the safety inspector and race officials are final! There will be no appeals so work with them to make this a safe and fun event.