Me and my friends visited a small town in Sweden, Gargnäs. I hope you enjoy my story, even if you are not into motorsports or snowmobiles. I have posted plenty pictures about the event also in the google maps.
My childhood friend Pasi Niska took my ice oval racer in his garage, since he is a lot better mechanic than I am, and his garage is about 40C warmer than my garage(-25C against 15C). Carburetors were overhauled, a new fuel line, primer fitted, fuel on/off valve in a different spot and so on ,lubrication for the track. Without Pasi I should stick to walking on snowmobile tracks, that is how important he is in keeping my herd running.
When the weather allowed, my friends Pekka Pahtaja and Tero Kauppi made me a new track to test. It was a bit last minute, since I was going to minor surgery the following morning. Shake down was a success. XCR was working fine. It was way past day light when we started testing, but with the lights, it was fine enough. Knowing that I would have stitches on my shoulder the following weekend, I asked if a childhood friend and fellow villager would like to race with my snowmobile. Of course! Two stroke oil is flowing strong in the veins of our villagers. Arto Schroderus is also an XCR guy himself and has done a few vintage snow cross starts. Arto was too busy to test the snowmobile, he had only seen the sled once, and never ridden an ice oval racer, or any snowmobile with studs.
Mika organized a place to sleep, and also all the dining. Marcus told us that he could rent one of his snowmobiles, Yamaha GPX leafer. A bit calling around and my old friend Pasi Karjalainen was interested. He has been doing all hill climbs with Summit, but never tried ice oval. Marcus also said to Mika that he should race a leafer too, race in two classes. He could rent Mika a Ski Doo Blizzard. When Mika told me, I said, Yes, absolutely. We didn’t have a trailer for 4 sleds, so Marcus borrowed his trailer. Ljusvattnet snöskoter skrot/Team Finland was ready.
Mika drove to border with his GLS in the back of VW. We came from north and met in Haparanda. A short pitstop with Swedish hot dogs and off we went. We decided that we would visit Marcus, load the XCR in his trailer with it’s old garage brothers and continue to Gargnäs. Mika drove straight to our cottage, so at least one of us would be there by midnight.
Well, Marcus is such a nice guy, that we could have spent the night talking about sleds. Knowing we would meet him on Sunday and talk some more, we tried to keep our pitstop shortish. Clock was already 23, and 166km of mountain roads still to beat. It was about 02 when I parked the car at the cottage. 9 hour trip went without bigger complications. Some Swedish EPA-tractors we saw on our way, but those were about the only traffic we saw on those last 100miles of snowy deserted roads.
Mika didn’t want to worry us, so he didn’t tell us that his car had check engine light burning the last 200km and power missing. Mika needed second gear for the hills that we conquered steady speed with a big trailer.
Our stuff out from the car, inside the cottage, and then catch some shut-eye.
In the morning Pasi told me that he had some trouble catching sleep, but after I started snoring, it was like a calming lullaby.
One could see the race track from our cottage window. So at least Mika had done his homework, no need to drive another 500km to the track. Our Austrian cottage host had really good breakfast served at the main building and we were well fed until the evening meal. When we were walking to the breakfast, there was this one older guy walking two dogs. He greeted us and we talked a little. It was really nice to feel welcome from the start.
After the breakfast we took our trailer to the track. The same guy was there with tractor, sweeping the track. His overall was in bright yellow emergency colors, so he was easily recognized. Straights were about 15m wide and corners a few meters wider. Quite different than the track I had been testing on at my home village. Well I was the only of our group that had done any testing this winter, and I wasn’t even driving.
Two out of three of our racers, didn’t have any ice oval experience. Well, this time my intention as the crew chief wasn’t hire a Finn to win. It was to give my old friends new experience, and also have myself one more adventure.
Quite soon after us, Leif and his crew came from Gällivare. It was 200+ miles drive for them. Leif had a state of the art Ski Doo SnoPro -82 with him. I was soon to learn that he is an excellent fabricator himself. There was done no cutting corners, making that sled. It was BEAUTIFUL. I could have studied that sled for hours, like the rest of the weekend and still wouldn’t have noticed all the hours and details that went in it. It wasn’t only beautiful, it was both fast and working in the corners. Next there came one nice young guy with -79 Trail Cat, original 340cc. One of the first mass-produced ifs sleds. Sled was more tuned to snow cross, high, but he came to race. The force was strong in this young enthusiast. He had also built Mercedes OM606 superturbo engine (superturbo is a term we use for diesels with more than 100hp/liter, his was about 200hp/litre).
We unloaded our snowmobiles, checked that they were safe to operate. We inspected the track by walking, looking for cracks to avoid and such. All the snowmobiles started without too much work. Guys had some practice tracks under their belt and soon picked up more speed. Driving got easier for all, not just our ice oval veteran (that was younger than our other team members). I bought some chemical hand warmer bags before trip and those came handy, 10hours of warmth inside gloves.
While applying some silicone on the slides, Mika noticed that inner side slide was really worn on the XCR. Suggested that we should minimize driving and not to wear it down before the finals. Our friendly dog walking tractor guy came checking our sleds and to chat with us. I asked if he knew a plastic slide for the XCR, because it was really worn. Maybe he would have one at his garage, couldn’t be 100% certain, but probably, he will check.
We had plenty testing and the sun was going down, we started packing our stuff. While we were packing our stuff, Robin, the tractor guy, came and said that he would have the slide and we can borrow his garage for the repairs. That was really nice hospitality from him, and a big deal for us, not needing to do it outside in the cold. For a normal track, one could do it like in the snow, but with a studded track, one needs to be a lot more careful. It is one uncareful moment, scratch and stitches.
The garage was found quite near-by. There were many really nice ice oval sleds in the garage. I was a bit gob smacked. Robin told us that his sons are in to the sport, and looks like the sons were also in to welding, since there were homemade exhaust pipes. Actually the worn slide was similar to that Mika had been using, so we got a spare part. When he had the suspension out, Mika also loosened the front belt. Getting the ski pressure to more reasonable level and getting more grip from the track. The sled was a bit nervous to drive before. When the adjusted suspension went back inside the track and position, it was noted that Robin wasn’t first time hammering these vintage sleds. The bolts found their places under the snowmobile, just by hand, no eye contact needed.
XCR found it spot again in the trailer. We thanked Robin for the loan of the garage and all the help. Drove back to cottage, guys get rid of all the shields and paddings. A bit better clothes on and we head out to dinner at the main building. Smashed Potatoes and reindeer stew, no, it wasn’t Rudolph, kids will get presents also the next Christmas. Fellow racer Leif was also eating with his family and crew. Well the dinner got a bit longish, until midnight. Food was excellent as always.
Time just flew by, Leif was telling us stories about his drag racing and drag racing machines. His mechanic Per filled in with details. Leif told us how it is to drive his twin tracker. I was especially interested in his REV, with 670 engine, since the Rotax 670s are a bit of my thing. Leif showed me pictures, how his homemade twin pipes filled the front of REV. Because it was Leif’s 670, it was 670 with something else, bigger carbs from Crankshop, a lot bigger pistons and so on. Leif told about how he makes combustion chambers in the heads and why they work better. The speed of explosion, where the spark plug are. About the first RAVE engine, with different spark plug position.
There was plenty of knowledge to share. Compression, clutching, Leif being 50+, he is still a young guy to have so much knowledge. I learned a lot, I mean A LOT. It was the hands on experience talking, not someone just reading from a book. Leif’s mechanic was teasing, saying that Leif should get the title this year. It would be his last chance. Mika has also a SnoPro, and Leif is lucky that it isn’t race ready, yet. Next year there will be no advantage from the sled. Race will be lost before the start. Well, seeing how well Leif did race the following day, race will be on, until the chequered flag drops.
Early next morning I woke up because of a pulling muscle in my calf. Would have shouted a few finnish words that people know in harbor towns around the globe, but that would have woken the others, so I remained silent. When the others woke up, Pasi told that using the IcePower gel wasn’t such a good idea last night. Since the gel found some broken skin, and burned for hours. He had been sitting with a cold wet towel on his neck for two hours in the middle of the night.
Breakfast was again excellent. It was fine for the host that we had a late check-out, after the race. So we didn’t need to pack all our stuff and clean the cottage yet. Just picked up what we needed at the track.
The local police waived us cheerfully when he was passing by our cottage with his Volvo. Soon we were going the same way. Paid the totally fair fee for attending and parked our caravan to the pit lane. Marcus had driven also to Gargnäs with our trailer, he also brought some spare parts for our sleds, for final tuning. Marcus was the commentator of the event. Day before he had been commentator at a drag race event. Like I said before all-around nice guy!
Because I was almost no use with my shoulder, I could do some paparazzi work, take pictures of all the nice sleds around. Driver meeting, short rule remainder, time table and we were all ready for a quick practice session. We needed to line up the track properly for the XCR, switch the brakes on the Blizzard, nothing major, could have been worse. Guys had some practice laps, all was working. Leif came walking to us, asking for start cables, their car hadn’t started, luckily they were also staying near the track and we did have cables and also a spare battery. Pasi loaned those and soon also Leif’s crew was on the track.
All drivers could drive in three heats in their classes. Heats would give points. Points would get to A final straight. One runner up position was available from the B final. Pasi and Mika were driving at the leafers, GPX and Blizzard. Arto in the stock F500 and Mika also with the mighty Big Dogs, in the IFS with his trusty 3300 GLS.
Scent of race fuel was floating at the pit and something to protect your hearing would have been nice. About half of the sleds were with open twin pipes. Robin, the tractor guy, was taking care of his sons sleds, talked with everyone and just being himself, he was in the core, spirits were up all around. These events need someone to be the soul, for me, it looked like it was the down to earth tractor guy, in his bright yellow emergency colors.
The organization behind the event was a well-oiled machine. It just worked, without being on anyone’s face. No unnecessary waiting, the next start was always waiting at the line, when earlier one came back to the pits. Everyone got their chance to have their engines running, waited a little to get all to the starting line. Four lap rounds, cooling off lap and back to pits.
All day I had been admiring one old RXL Polaris, from the beginning of the 80s. From a distance one couldn’t tell it was an ice oval sled. It just looked nice, the color, stance, nothing that looked out of place. It was to my taste.
Robin started the RXL, moved it a little, wearing a fur cap. Ok, it must Robin’s son’s sled.
I was quite stunned when I noticed that the sled was competing with the big dogs, IFS. More stunned when the start happened and RXL jumped straight to the lead. Hole shot! It was the class of the old full born factory racers. Those SnoPros weren’t sleepers. They weren’t only the part, they also looked like it. RXL earned my respect on a totally different level.
The next time I saw Robin moving the RXL he had a white helmet on. Maybe someone had said to him that better to always wear a helmet when moving his son’s race beasts at the pits?
Many classes, three rounds for each driver, 21 starts at the preliminaries. Those starts just really flew by! I was checking that everything and everyone was fine with my own team. Congratulating racers after good heats and performances. Giving thumbs up when going to the line and when coming to the pits. Then there was a break. There was fresh grilled burgers and soup available at the yard, and waffles inside. Waffles, jam and whipped cream was my choice.
Pasi had an amazinf start and hit a hole shot at the start of B finals. He was leading for the first two laps with the-75 Yamaha GPX. Pasi was closing the door every time on the corners. One can only do just so much, if the other guy has a lot stronger machine. It was raw muscle that took the win from Pasi and nothing to complain about Pasi’s driving. For a newbie, great riding, absolutely.
After the race I just needed to go and ask the winner, how much power did his Yamaha have. 94hp. Two straight pipes screaming tunes from the side. In the A finals the same sled came second, close second. Winner was SS 440, the SRV looking machine. I am bad with knowing leafers. After the A final, guys were happy, no sore grapes to share. Those Yamahas were quick and powerful, Mika was in the A finals with Blizzard. Blizzard handled fine, but 30% of the power missing, it is just a bit too much.
Mika’s GLS was at the big dogs IFS B final. It was a battle between Lynxes. Mika lost from the starting line, looked for overtaking spot for two laps and went for it. That overtake gave Mika a spot at the A finals.
Mika had to drive 3 straight rounds in a row. B final with Lynx 3300 GLS. A final with Blizzard and A final for GLS. When Mika was driving to the A finals, I noticed that dog walking, track making, garage loaning and all around nice guy with emergency colors was HIMSELF at the A finals with the RXL. WOW!
Sadly this time there was no hole shot for the RXL. It was Mattias Andersson vs Leif Ärlebränd. Leif leading. Mattias was leaving no room for error. He was gunning for it 100%. RXL kept with the SnoPros. I had actually seen se RXL in his garage, but it wasn’t with the hood on. Didn’t understand until then it was the same snowmobile Robin told that it was missing some power, around 10hp. Still it kept with the guys! From the first lap, one could see this was no Sunday picnic race.
Mattias’ SnoPro had inner ski high on air at the corner closest to the pits, more than 10 inches. At the last lap Mattias thought now or never, and got pass Leif. This race was great! No easy win! Mika’s GLS (and or Mika’s fingers) couldn’t wrestle and win the challenge at the A finals. There is a new suspension for the GLS, so Lynx will come back stronger. Mika’s fingers were freezing. 18 laps in a row. No feel at all. He was pushing gas with his palm on the finals.
The last A final was for the F500s. Three Polaris and Lynx 440 Racing. The 6500rpm clutch and non-working VES was a huge disadvantage for Arto and 440XCR. More disadvantage for the start, than being first time on an ice oval race. Studs just didn’t find any traction, it was about the opposite of a hole shot. XC500 and 440 Racing were having a nice duel for the win. Nice overtake gave the win for the XC500. Inner ski up in the air overtake, secured the bronze for Arto and XCR440.
Winning XC 500 was from Robin’s garage. It gave room the day before, so we could fix the XCR.
Final was over. No useless bullshit, or waiting, everyone straight to the final ceremonies. Prizes in hand. Thanks for the racers and also the organizers. Job well done!
We packed our loaners in Marcus’ trailer and XCR in our own trailer. Sorted our tools and other stuff. Handshakes for all fellow racers and friends. Drove to the cottage. Quick packing and cleaning the place. We reach in time to get lunch at the main building. Snitchel steaks, roasted potatoes, salad and parsley butter. Dessert was Toblerone mousse. We really were taken care of, food was always 10/10 and only 30m from our cottage.
We could drive back home a bit shorter route, only 497km. Mika sent also message when he had arrived at his destination.
10/10 trip. Thanks for everyone!
Gargnäs is quite small village. They have also Burkarcup event in the beginning of January. It is a village with veins filled with racefuel and one can use 2-stroke oil as aftershave.
But if you visit Gargnäs and you see Batman, don’t be surprised. Because we already saw Robin and he is a lot more amazing guy than in the comics.
