Iron Dog 2013 - started today!

[AKrider]

The 2000 mile Iron Dog race just started this morning here in Alaska. There is one Yamaha team for you guys to root for. I've got two buddies racing on different teams in the race riding Ski-doo XRS's and Polaris Switchbacks. I'm pretty interested in seeing how the 4 Cat teams running 1100's are going to do. They aren't top teams or very experienced so I don't expect them to win but it would be great to see a 4-stroke break into the top 5.

This race takes place in a very remote section of Alaska. The racers have to travel as a team for safety reasons because there is nothing out there between check points. They race from Big Lake in Wasilla, 1000 miles to Nome, turn around and ride another 1000 miles to Fairbanks. It's just an amazing event. There are places on the Yukon river where they hold the sleds wide open for up to 30-45 minutes! Polaris, Cat and Doo put a lot of effort into the race offering discounted sleds (free in some cases to the top teams), support, etc. Yamaha doesn't offer anywhere near the same level of support and that is why you don't see many Yamaha entries year after year.

Some people feel the eTech Ski-doo's will have an advantage as fuel milage plays a big factor in race strategy. It will be a good race this year as there are many top teams competing.

http://www.irondograce.org/

 

[AKrider]

Some more links
http://www.ktuu.com/sports/irondog/2013 ... 8954.flash

http://www.ktuu.com/sports/irondog/2013/

 

[WANN4STROKE]

Hope they make it. They got about 5 inches of dry snow last nite and it's still snowing-heard white-out conditions. The Yetna has been a little rough due to the freeze-thaw cycles recently.

Hope they don't have to pull thoise Nytro's up the Happy River Gorge. Not going to be a pretty site after Trail Class went thru Friday.

Plus side is-if they can make it to Puntilla-the Chief mechanic from Anchorage yamaha is there working on Lodges sleds. So if they have a problem he will be a great help-as much as he can be under race rules !

David

 

[AKrider]

I'm glad to see them out there. They finished the race last year and that is a huge accomplishment in itself!

I heard they considered running the race front end last year but the stock body work had to be cut up and custom fitted and they didn't want to chance a problem with snow getting into the engine compartment. Plus it would have been difficult to get replacement front end parts if you wrecked or hit something.

I've still got to watch the start, I've got it on my DVR. Time to go riding!

 

[WANN4STROKE]

Just checked. They've made it to Shell. Few more swamps before Finger and tyhen it's a lane track most of the way to Puntilla.

David

 

[soldi]

Man Id like to race there.. Have to keep my eyes out for some Yamaha friends with connections

 

[Ak Yammy]

Was out on my end of the Dog trail (Tanana river) here in Fairbanks on Tuesday and it was rough!! So bad I broke the shock mount on my front skid arm.
New snow might smooth it out some but I doubt it. Lots of open holes this year also with the warm weather we've had.

 

[AKrider]

Watching the start on my DVR. Team 19 on the Yamaha's are running xtx's, tuner skis, stock front ends.

Looks like one of my buddies is having some kind of problem. They are going slow according to the analytical data.

 

[canadianhunter]

I read the yamaha's did not go to the race front end because they would have had to cut plastic to install and thought they may get snow in the engine compartment if not perfectly sealed.

 

[AKrider]

The first team into Nome is riding Arctic Cat sno-pros using, wai for it.... a procross chassis. I'm sure they will use the $10,000 they won for the halfway prize to stock up on belts, chaincase parts, bent tunnels, etc.

Look for Yamaha to finally getting back into the Iron Dog next year as they will finally have a competitive chassis with the Cat based Viper.

 

[jlemieu1]

Yami's are still in the race ... Go team #19 currently running 20th.

http://www.irondograce.org/race-trackin ... s/?team=18