01/12/07 - You asked for it, so here it is - four wheel drive and turbo power.
Here at Ice Driver, we know from experience that the studded tyres we use on the lake give levels of grip that most drivers will not believe until they've tried it. But that doesn't stop people asking what it's like in a four wheel drive car, though, so here it is.
Thanks to the guys at Scooby Clinic, ( http://www.scoobyclinic.com ) there will be a specially prepared Subaru Impreza Turbo on the lakes with Ice Driver this year.
There are many variants of Impreza so the Scooby Clinic guys gave us the benefit of their expertise. We've settled on a Japanese spec Type RA (Race Altered) model. This Japan only model has a short gearing that runs to just 120 mph for strong acceleration. Coupled with lightweight panels, no sunroof or air conditioning and some Scooby Clinic tweaks like KYB dampers, Eibach springs, a loud de-cat exhaust and a custom remapped ECU and we'll be good to go with more than 300 Bhp. Should give the Ice Driver BMW a run for it's money....
So how does this fit into our driving packages?
We've obviously changed a few things around to fit in the Impreza, so if you haven't checked out the Ice Driver site this week, here's the lineup:
Ice Driver One - stays the same, with a full day becoming a front wheel drive, left foot braking hero.
Ice Driver Two - Has a full day's driving combination of Ford Focus and legendary, rear-engined Porsche 911.
Ice Driver Three - Now gets you one and a half days of driving, with the Subaru Impreza completing the experience of the Porsche and the Focus.
Ice Driver Rear Wheel Drive Package - Created for those of you out there who only drive rear wheel drive and think that front wheel drive is just plain wrong. We know who you are and we've created this for you with our scary BMW M Powered handful.
Bespoke Packages - So you've got some ideas of your own of what you'd like to do? No problem, send us an email, give us a call and we'll create a one-off just for you.
If you've already booked with Ice Driver, don't worry, your packages still stands, or give us a call if you'd like to make any mods!
08/11/07 - Why no latest news?
Because it's been summer time! But now, the hour has gone backwards, it's oficially autumn and time to put the convertible away for the winter..... And time for Ice Driver 2008. We'll have more latest news appearing next week with some eciting new developments, but meanwhile, drop us a line to enquire about availability and get a course booked soon.
01/03/07 - Ice Driver International!
Just realised it's been nearly a fornight since we added anything to the latest news pages, but an email yesterday from one of our recent guests made me realise what a broad range of guests we've had this year.
The picture above was kindly sent by James Kaplan and of him and his lovely wife Nita (hope the spelling is right) expressing thier admiration of the Porsche. James and Nita hail from California and while it would be really cool to say they crossed the pond just to get here, it wouldn't be strictly true. James' work bases him in the UK right now so the journey wasn't quite that long!
However, this year so far we've had guests from England, Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, the USA and Sweden.
15/02/07 - Now that's what I call a drill......
We are often asked how we know the ice is OK to drive on. Because we only drive on the frozen lakes and not on forest tracks or roads, this is important for us. Take a look here at our latest safety test of one of our lakes as we get the Black & Decker out!
14/02/07 - Ice Driver 4 - it just got even better
For the die hard rear wheel drive experts out there, we've created Ice Driver 4. Two whole days of driving our BMW M3 Compact and Porsche 911 on competition spec ice rally tyres here in Sweden. Nurburgring? Kids stuff.....
12/02/07 - new group deals for motor clubs.
Following on from several requests for track day groups, motor clubs and other enthusiastic petrol heads, we're pleased to announce a Group Deals section. If you are the poor harrassed organiser in your club, web forum or track day group, take a look at our page on group deals. We don't mind whether you're Porsche addicts, classic car clubs, TVR blokes or a Japanese Tuner crew, drop us a line and come to Ice Driver for the best bar stool bragging rights this year. Nurburgring? Been there, done that........Getting a Porsche 911 sideways on a frozen lake? Now you're talking...
12/02/07 - You can leave your hat on!
Tonight in a rare quiet moment here, the Ice Driver team braved the elements and tried a hot tub beside the frozen lake. Traditionally fired with Birch logs, the water temp was 39 degrees Celcius, but the air temp was a balmy minus 18! Never known to back away from a challenge, we thought it only fair that the facility was given a thorough test on behalf of our guests. And yes, we kept our hats on......
11/02/07 - Media section now live.
Our media pages with downloadable images is now online. Web resolution images can be downloaded and used in the terms of the license. Print resolution images are available upon request. Click here for details >>>
08/02/07 - Ice Driver Wallpapers are now online
Far better than a roll of wood-chip and emulsion, Ice Driver wallpapers are a great thing to wake up your PC to. Go to our downloads page and choose your screen resolution to save.
07/02/07 - Wow it was cold last night!
Standing around outside was not for the faint hearted last night as the outside air temp plummeted to -29! Inside the hotel behind the triple glazing, we sat waiting for a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis, but it was not to be. Still, we'll keep looking.
05/02/07 - The Ice Driver season is on!
Our first group for 2007 has just left Ice Driver. The guys spent the day being heroes behind the wheel of the Ice Driver cars before a really spirited series of demo rides with chief instructor Andy McKenna behind the wheel of our M3 powered BMW.
After a hard day's driving, they chilled out in the open air hot tub and a great sauna before dong their very best to empty the bar of supplies of the excellent locally brewed Hell Beer. we left them to it at 2.30 am with shades of "Swing loooow, sweeeet chaaariiioooot" ringing out from the bar......
Well done lads, you even made it for a photo call next morning!
19/01/07 - Ice Driver and the Environment
It was our intention in '07 to run the entire Ice Driver fleet on Bio ethanol, Sweden's preferred environmentally friendly fuel. However, our current location does not have supplies nearby, but will have in '08. Ford are making big advances in Sweden with Ethanol, many of their range and SAAB, a Ford owned brand, run on Ethanol straight from the showroom. Our travel plans for clients place recommendations on the excellent Swedish electrified rail network, one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel as well as being a punctual and efficient network.
15/01/07 - New graphics for the Ice Driver fleet.
All of our cars are getting new graphics for this season designed and applied by Phil at Allied Graphics. The BMW was first and the others will be getting the treatment this week. More pictures will be appearing as we shoot them.
07/01/07 - Just back from final Sweden logistics trip
Just back from the final trip before we go live. The FIS Downhill Ski Championships at Are will make the ski trains busy, so book early. Our upper lake now has good ice, with the lower altitude lake also freezing fast, so it's looking like we'll have a good choice this winter! All the SkiDoo shots on the website were shot on Sunday whilst riding on the upper lake. Shooting SkiDoos while hanging off the back of another one at 50kph and no gloves is not funny..... If it wasn't for the palm strap on the 1DS, I'd have lost my grip.
