NEQ

2012 Winter Driving School II

Algonquin Lake, Wells NY

February 25, 2012

Event Information

Despite the late start and ever changing weather this winter, we are pleased to announce that through AMEC, our event partners, we are planning an event on Algonquin Lake in Wells NY on Saturday February 25.  As always with a winter event on a frozen lake flexibility is the key. The forecast and conditions are promising but weather conditions, especially this year, are ever changing. We will be keeping you informed of any schedule changes. Confirmed and Waitlisted participants will be notified by e-mail of last minute changes no later than 8:00 PM on Thursday February 23.

(This event replaces the proposed event to be held on Waneta Lake near Watkins Glen NY on February 18.  Waneta Lake is not completely frozen and our friends from the Central NY Ice Racers are not encouraged that they will be able to hold events in the western regions of the state at all this year.)

In order to maximize the experience for all participants, attendance will be limited to the number of students we can support with our instructor base.  There will be a waitlist in case of cancelations or increased instructor attendance. The cost is $100 for the day in your own car with an instructor provided. Lunch as well as coffee and pastry at registration are included.

The event will open on MotorsportReg.com  at noon on Thursday February 16.  If you have indicated your wish to move to future events from canceled events earlier this year you will be transferred to this event.  If you are one of these people and cannot attend please go into MSR and cancel.  If you do not intend to attend and don’t cancel you will be charged for the event as a no show. Pre-registered participants will be emailed their status before the event opens.

Lodging: The best bet for lodging is in the Johnstown Gloversville area. These towns are located about 30 miles south of Wells on Rt. 30A (N. Comrie Avenue).  There are several accommodations in the Johnstown – Gloversville area; Holiday Inn 308 N Comrie Ave, Johnstown, NY‎ - (518) 762-4686‎, Microtel 136 Comrie Ave, Johnstown, NY‎ - (518) 762-5425‎, Super 8 Motel, 301 N Comrie Avenue, Johnstown, NY‎ - (518) 736-1800‎.  Google “Gloversville NY lodging” for more.  This area is close proximity to both Algonquin Lake and Caroga Lake our most likely alternate location.

Venue:  This event will be held on Algonquin Lake, Wells NY with areas for car control exercises including a skid pad area, and slalom area as well as a 1.0 – 1.5 mile road course on the ice. Facilities will be very basic. Plan to spend the day outside. The only place to get warm other than lunch will be your car.  Toilet facilities will be whatever nature provides.

Registration and lunch will be at Alpine Inn located just south of the village of Wells on Rt 30. Registration opens at 8:15 AM at the Inn.

Schedule:

8:15 AM           Registration and Drivers Meeting at The Alpine Inn.

9;00 to 12:00   Exercises (we will break up into groups for the skid pad, slalom and possibly mini- road course working on Scandinavian Flick turns and power slides)

12:00 to 1:30   Lunch

1:30 to 4:30     Run groups on the full track

What to bring:  You will be outside all day so dress accordingly. Layers and wind blocking outer ware is recommended.  Foot ware is a tough choice shoes or boots need to be warm but also you need to be able to feel and manipulate peddles. If your boots are too bulky you will get tangled in the pedals and perhaps create a situation that ends up in a snow bank.  Consider two pair of boots one warm pair of pack boots and one pair of smaller insulated boots for driving.

Helmets are not required for this event.   

Your Car:  Unlike track events you will be able to leave thinks in the trunk of your car.  Come with a full tank for gas since it is likely that your car will be running most of the day especially if it is very cold.  Be sure your fluids are topped off and your lights and wipers are in good working order. We are on a frozen lake so fluid leaks are not great for the environment. If you have any chronic garage floor staining leaks or drips this may be a good time to take care of those.  You may want to drop your tires down a couple of pounds to increase traction. Of course snow tires are highly recommended but if you don’t have them you will go out and buy a set after this event even if you have all wheel drive.   Snow tends to build up on wheels causing imbalance so an old snow brush or wheel brush to clear out the wheels is a good idea.

Finally: This venue promises to be a great opportunity to improve your car control skills at relatively low speeds and drive on a frozen road course.  This is our third year of this type of  winter event and we are looking forward to another great time on the ice.  Our partners at AMEC work hard to provide us with a great venue. Visit their web site www.icerace.com to see what they do and if you see them during the day thank them for their help in putting this event together.

Back seat passengers can ride with the participants but no "back seat drivers" are allowed! Passengers pay $15.00 for the opportunity to ride for the day.  Invite your spouse, teenager or a friend!

You will: Be amazed at what you can do with a car on the ice.  Learn about car control dynamics and low friction handling techniques; Have more fun that you thought you ever could in a moving car!

Stay tuned for more information.  The last email will be sent Thursday evening with any last minute changes.