We're going ice racing, boys!

M

McCarthy

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  1. Talon X
So it's winter up here in Northern Canadaland, and while we're repairing the igloo's, and petting polar bears I happened accross a local ice racing series. Would be fun, I thought, but no way I could race the Talon, right? Got an email back this morning with a list of things they would want, but the answer is yes. Holy S*** boys, we're going racing!

The tough part, they require a DOT winter tire (severe snow rating) which the stock Maxxis obviously don't have. Any suggestions?

Also, I need to be under 68" max height, and am currently at 71". If I crank the preload all the way down (ice is smooth, no suspension travel needed, right?) or install limit straps, that should take care of that, right?
 
M

McCarthy

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  1. Talon X
Set it down low. You don't need much preload. And if you're racing on ice you'll want to be low. Will they let you stud the tires?

Yup, i'll stud them for sure.

I'll crank the suspension way down and still might need limit straps... The safety rule book states the machine can't be taller than it is wide. Mine is an X, so 64"... Machine is 72" tall if I remove the roof. I need to gain 8" of width. However, I measured and can pull 3.5" of preload out of the rear, so 68.5. If I put 2" wheel spacers on I pick up 4" total, so 68.5" tall, and with the spacer 68" wide... What offset wheel would I have to buy to widen the machine? I'd like to be a couple extra inches wide so there's no question on the issue.
 
PaulF

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Preload to height is not 1 to 1. It is more like 1 to 2, 1 inch preload will lower the rear about 2 inches (not sure about the front but it is similar). But be careful not to completely unload the springs to the point they rattle around or you will need limit straps to keep the springs from coming out of their perches.
 
M

McCarthy

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  1. Talon X
Preload to height is not 1 to 1. It is more like 1 to 2, 1 inch preload will lower the rear about 2 inches (not sure about the front but it is similar). But be careful not to completely unload the springs to the point they rattle around or you will need limit straps to keep the springs from coming out of their perches.

OH THAT IS FANTASTIC!!!! So in theory if I can take 3" out of preload i'll lose 6" of height. Totally okay with limit straps if need be.
 
PaulF

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Also, don't pull the suspension down with limit straps, it won't handle worth a s***. Only use limit straps to keep the springs from rattling around.
 
CumminsPusher

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  3. Talon X LV
So it's winter up here in Northern Canadaland, and while we're repairing the igloo's, and petting polar bears I happened accross a local ice racing series. Would be fun, I thought, but no way I could race the Talon, right? Got an email back this morning with a list of things they would want, but the answer is yes. Holy S*** boys, we're going racing!

The tough part, they require a DOT winter tire (severe snow rating) which the stock Maxxis obviously don't have. Any suggestions?

Also, I need to be under 68" max height, and am currently at 71". If I crank the preload all the way down (ice is smooth, no suspension travel needed, right?) or install limit straps, that should take care of that, right?
s*** that sounds fun. Pics!!!
 
Hometeam

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Yup, i'll stud them for sure.

I'll crank the suspension way down and still might need limit straps... The safety rule book states the machine can't be taller than it is wide. Mine is an X, so 64"... Machine is 72" tall if I remove the roof. I need to gain 8" of width. However, I measured and can pull 3.5" of preload out of the rear, so 68.5. If I put 2" wheel spacers on I pick up 4" total, so 68.5" tall, and with the spacer 68" wide... What offset wheel would I have to buy to widen the machine? I'd like to be a couple extra inches wide so there's no question on the issue.

Just some quick measurements I took off of my machine for you too compare. I run system three wheels with a +38 offset, I am roughly 66-66.5 in wide with that setup with 1.5 spacers in the rear. I have a slight downward angle in the axels from dif to wheels. If I lowered it more it would widen the stance some more. It looks like without the roof on I would be around 71" tall. I have 32-in tires on that setup. With going back down to the stock tire size I think you could definitely get your machine to the width and height you need it to. If my math serves me correct if I put the stock tires back on I would have to only change my suspension to account for around 2 to 3 inches yet. I am just using the tire measurements as actual measurements and obviously lots of tires never measure the size they should. My 32s don't measure a true 32. But I hope this gives you an idea of some measurements you can make. Ice racing would be so much fun! It will be awesome to hear how you do!
 
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Farmer

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  1. 700-2
Set it down low. You don't need much preload. And if you're racing on ice you'll want to be low. Will they let you stud the tires?

Yep he's right. We used to race cr250's on iced over tollway ponds. We'd run an inner liner with street tires and crank the suspension way down. Koldkutters were the popular brand of screws back in the 90's and while expensive....the screw guru would sell pre screwed tires to those who had no idea what they were doing. Screw head type and slot direction wins races.
 
Last edited:
M

McCarthy

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2020
267
537
93
Canada
Ownership

  1. Talon X
Just some quick measurements I took off of my machine for you too compare. I run system three wheels with a +38 offset, I am roughly 66-66.5 in wide with that setup with 1.5 spacers in the rear. I have a slight downward angle in the axels from dif to wheels. If I lowered it more it would widen the stance some more. It looks like without the roof on I would be around 71" tall. I have 32-in tires on that setup. With going back down to the stock tire size I think you could definitely get your machine to the width and height you need it to. If my math serves me correct if I put the stock tires back on I would have to only change my suspension to account for around 2 to 3 inches yet. I am just using the tire measurements as actual measurements and obviously lots of tires never measure the size they should. My 32s don't measure a true 32. But I hope this gives you an idea of some measurements you can make. Ice racing would be so much fun! It will be awesome to hear how you do!

Thanks!
 
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Farmer

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So it's winter up here in Northern Canadaland, and while we're repairing the igloo's, and petting polar bears I happened accross a local ice racing series. Would be fun, I thought, but no way I could race the Talon, right? Got an email back this morning with a list of things they would want, but the answer is yes. Holy S*** boys, we're going racing!

The tough part, they require a DOT winter tire (severe snow rating) which the stock Maxxis obviously don't have. Any suggestions?

Also, I need to be under 68" max height, and am currently at 71". If I crank the preload all the way down (ice is smooth, no suspension travel needed, right?) or install limit straps, that should take care of that, right?

When is the 1st race?
Are you going to record it?
Do they have some previous race videos posted where you could get some ideas?
Or hook up with someone that's been doing it?

I forgot to mention in my other post.......obviously go with low pro wheels and tires to help your height/width ratio.
 
M

McCarthy

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Aug 13, 2020
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Canada
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  1. Talon X
When is the 1st race?
Are you going to record it?
Do they have some previous race videos posted where you could get some ideas?
Or hook up with someone that's been doing it?

I forgot to mention in my other post.......obviously go with low pro wheels and tires to help your height/width ratio.

Jan 16 and 17 is the first event.

If I can make the machine compliant to the rules, i'll buy a gopro and record it.
 
M

McCarthy

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  1. Talon X
Does anyone know if this hub size and offset will work?

 
SLOWPOKE693

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  1. Talon R
Why 18" wheels?

FYI... I run GMZ Casino beadlocks on my car in the 15x8 size, with 4" backspacing. With the front arms laid out flat its 77" wide buldge to buldge. Its an R model though

20201003 212314
 
M

McCarthy

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  1. Talon X
Your R model is 4" wider to begin with, and I need a low profile tire to keep me under the height requirements for this specific racing class.
 
SLOWPOKE693

SLOWPOKE693

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  1. Talon R
So you would be 73" wide with the same wheels. GMZ also makes non beadlock 15x8's with zero offset if you don't need the beadlock.

15" Blizzak snow tires for the win

You will be able to get it lower using 15" wheels than using 18" wheels. The low profile tire argument is a moot point. By using 18's you start off with 1.5" more height vs a 15.....
 
M

McCarthy

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2020
267
537
93
Canada
Ownership

  1. Talon X
So you would be 73" wide with the same wheels. GMZ also makes non beadlock 15x8's with zero offset if you don't need the beadlock.

15" Blizzak snow tires for the win

You will be able to get it lower using 15" wheels than using 18" wheels. The low profile tire argument is a moot point. By using 18's you start off with 1.5" more height vs a 15.....

The 18" tire I was going use is 25.3" tall.

Which 15" tire is 1.5" shorter?

The 73" wide with the GMZ wheels super interests me though! Which offset is that with? 4+3?

Thanks!!!!
 
SLOWPOKE693

SLOWPOKE693

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  1. Talon R
The 18" tire I was going use is 25.3" tall.

Which 15" tire is 1.5" shorter?

The 73" wide with the GMZ wheels super interests me though! Which offset is that with? 4+3?

Thanks!!!!

185/60/15's are about 23.5" tall.

My wheels are 4+4, so zero offset. They are 8" wide not 7" like most others.
 
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