I need info on the I-500 sled Inspections and Gear

[JoeRainville]

Paul,

You can wear an orange tek-vest on the outside of your jacket. However, you do not need to dress that warm. I only had on an under armor turtle neck, a sweatshirt, my safe-jac and a thin Cat Snocross top. Even at -20 I was find on the track.

I did wimp out and wear a full face helmet thought, but it has to be 75% blaze orange. You can do that with a helmet cover, duct tape or paint.

-Rainville

[Danzig]

Great Joe

This is getting better !!

[JDT]

As USSC has already said that they will do Vintage again next year I would anticipate more attention being paid to what is stock and gray modifications.

They may even go with two class, ie Stock and Improved for example.

The rules get very refined with the modern sleds and there are several classes.

As interest was high for the first running I bet it will get more attention next year.

[Danzig]

so how many beans did you spend for this trip ?

i gotta ask...

[JoeRainville]

Paul,

I spent over $1,400 on Diesel alone, and $200 on gas for Kudla's Cat and my Deere. Budget $80 to $100 a night for a hotel room too, plus $95.00 to register. Then there was propane and last minute parts too. Buddy up with one of the guys to share expenses and it won't be too bad. My new 31 foot trailer is avaible to any of the Deere guys for overnight storage and heated repairs until it's full.

-Joe

[Danzig]

I almost pulled a no-no.

I thought this race was in Red Lake, Min., not in Thief River Falls, Min...

Time will tell. I may sleep in my heated trailer...LOL

Dave Neahring from Team Nelson offered a place for me to stay this year...just couldnt see through the foggy haze yet,,,

I am starting to see sun shine though.

[sledpuller88]

Paul,

The only orange you need is on your helmet and bib with number on the back. See the middle pic of me in the ditch. And you need to upgrade from leathers. Leathers will kill you - too heavy, and if you get sweaty, you will freeze since they don't breathe.

I wouldn't go with full face helmet. How many pro riders do you see with one? Goggles offer unmatched visibility and flexibility. If you have issues of any kind, you can change goggles at the fuel stop. I wore clear for all 3 legs. After the 1st leg I had a lot of slush on my goggles (and sled), but fortunately my gloves have a scraper bar and I was able to clear them.

Buy some black duct tape, and tape up your face, especially nose, and majority of vent holes in the goggles. Leave a tear off on the duct tape so if you do start fogging you can pull it off with gloved hands. My set up is a balaclava, plus a No-Fog mask and then good Smith goggles that fit the helmet. Tape off the vent hole in the chin guard of the helmet. DOUBLE PANE GOGGLES.

Brian Hitt
#347

[horntwister]

can power jet carbs be blocked off and run like regular carbs?

[JoeRainville]

h-t,

The rules say you need to use the stock carb bodies. But several guys used regular float bowls and removed the power jet circuit. I believe this is legal and acceptable under the rules.

-Rainville

[Danzig]

h-t,

The rules say you need to use the stock carb bodies. But several guys used regular float bowls and removed the power jet circuit. I believe this is legal and acceptable under the rules.

-Rainville

Any gain to this ?

[AirborneX4Special]

One less thing to go wrong perhaps?

[JoeRainville]

Guys,

Removing the power jets makes the carb's easier to tune and re-jet for various conditions. However, with a stone stock motor, except for Wisco Pro-lite pistons, I choose to stay with the power jet since I did not have time to develope new fuel curves. And luckily for me, my carb guy (Grumpy Hiens) had the proper selection of jets and the fine tune manual to bring my sled into proper calibration.

So the choice is yours. It's much easier to tune a single main jet carb, but you would need to take the time to do it right the first time.

I hope this helps,
-Rainville

[Danzig]

How did your right thumb hold up ?

What are you guys doing to over come thumb fatigue ?


I was just out for over 2 hours and my thumb is talking to me.

[AirborneX4Special]

As I recall, the proper pre - race regimen included squeezing a tennis ball or proper equivalent with thumb and fingers on both hands. The brake or left hand side was of less importance but nonetheless needed to be prepared.

[JDT]

Paul your going to go blind if you keep doing that.