Iron Dog

I'm going to keep an eye on this between rides this holiday weekend. It looks like they have streaming and tracking all set up here- http://www.irondograce.org/
Being a Southern Californian, I have no clue about snow machines (is that the right name ?), but looking at the specs on Kevin's new sled piqued my interest. Hopefully some of you cold weather folks can fill in some details for me.
Am I correct in assuming that the set up on the rigs for this race is similar to what you would to to a bike for the Dakar? Or would the comparison be more like the Baja 1000?
Does your beer get all shaken up like it does in a fanny pack on a bike?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by will on February 17, 2013 at 3:50pm

How many miles would you ride on a typical afternoon ride?

Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on February 17, 2013 at 3:56pm

Around where I live not too far.. there's groomed trails but not much action 60 -100 miles (we've got a loop we do that follows the trails into the river valley where we ride the ice where we can). Up in northern Minnesota it's an all day event. I've had days where where I've gone 250 plus. Fun riding in the forests. If we had gotten the sled earlier we probably would have done some of the frozen lake speed runs around the area.

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on February 17, 2013 at 4:01pm

for this event? or normal riding? flat landers I'm guessing 200m for the day. We have mountain riding here,if you go with a skilled group how doesn't get stuck all the time 70-80 m.
Amy and I did a whole lap of Yellowstone one day. Amy and I can claim we also exceed'd 100mph for miles and miles in the park.Last year you could ride in the park on your own sled and without a guide

Permalink Reply by will on February 17, 2013 at 4:14pm

They said 300 and something for the top guys today, how often do they stop for fuel? Capacity?

edit;
13.1. Only checkpoints are designated gas stops. Iron Dog® provides fuel at
designated checkpoints and the express checkpoint at North Pole only.
13.2. Racers will be permitted to receive outside help for fuel and engine oil at
checkpoints, express checkpoints and between the checkpoints of Ruby and
Tanana only.
13.2.1. NO OTHER ASSISTANCE OF ANY KIND INCLUDING PHYSICAL
CONTACT WITH THE PIT CREW WILL BE PERMITTED.

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on February 17, 2013 at 3:45pm

check out the winners history
http://www.irondograce.org/race-tracking/race-results-archive/
these guys are consistantly competative
Scott Davis's first win was in 85 on a Yamaha. (they where a POS in that time period)
Mark Carr
Marc McKenna
Dusty VanMeter
Chris Olds
Palin

Permalink Reply by Kevin Meyer on February 17, 2013 at 4:32pm

Yamaha was junk in the 80's but I'm more biased cause the neighboring farm growing up was an Arctic Cat dealer.

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on February 17, 2013 at 4:45pm

@Kevin, As a kid,I was my Gr.Uncle's development rider on Vikings. I'm old.
I still have Polaris's

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on February 17, 2013 at 3:50pm

pic's from the event, Yes ,orange helmets are a snowmobile racing 'standard'

http://www.irondograce.org/photo-gallery/

Permalink Reply by will on February 17, 2013 at 5:04pm

The tracking is awesome on this.Time for a ride for me and the boy's, thanks for the help getting my head wrapped around this Mike and Kevin.

Permalink Reply by will on February 18, 2013 at 9:04pm

One feature I really like with these trackers is checking the history box to see the different lines used.

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on February 18, 2013 at 9:23pm

check out race analytics (the graph icon)

Permalink Reply by Mike Kenyon on February 20, 2013 at 12:38am

@Will, are you still following this? it's Pro 02,11,17 teams leading at 877m. 8 and 10 are going it alone with out their wingman (I don't think thats 'legal')