American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 250 May 2020 | Page 32

Russians?
Mad as a Box of frogs!
When it comes to EXTREME motorcycle racing, it doesn't
come very much more OUT THERE than the Baikal Mile Ice
Speed Festival in Russia (February 25 to March 1). Around
2,700 miles east of Moscow and 400 miles north of
Ulaanbaatar (the capital of Mongolia), this is the story of one
man's journey to race a "somewhat" modified Scout Bobber
on specially prepared 1/8-mile and 1-mile ice tracks in a
second annual festival of madness that only the Russians
could come up with…
ntended as the toughest of pre-season shakedown tests for
its 2020 Sultans of Sprint comeback, Indian Motorcycle and
Workhorse Speed Shop took on the very definition of
extreme proving grounds in February with 'Appaloosa', a
highly modified Scout Bobber sprint racer at an event that
saw a variety of specially prepared vehicles alongside stunt
riding, drifting, drag racing, flat track and freestyle
motocross, all facing up to the Lake Baikal challenge.
'Appaloosa' was originally built by Brice Hennebert (Belgium) for the 2019 Sultans
of Sprint tarmac series, with 500 cc Grand Prix legend Randy Mamola at the
controls. With the original build taking over 700 hours, there was little time for
testing before the first round in 2019, and so going into the 2020 series, Brice
wanted a shakedown test first.
During his time researching events for a shakedown, Brice came across images
and videos of a crazy speed festival, the Baikal Mile, run on the frozen surface of
Lake Baikal in south central Siberia, the oldest and deepest lake in the world.
"I couldn't believe how amazing this event looked," says Brice. "For a start, the
lake is huge. Over 600 km (370 miles) long, 80 km (50 miles) wide, with more
than 20% of the world's freshwater. It was just so different from anything I am
used to - anything anyone is used to - thousands of miles away, with extreme
temperatures, and all these people building crazy machines, from mad one-wheel
contraptions to luxury vehicles on tank tracks. The speed festival sees them all
come together to share the fun of pushing themselves and their creations to the
limit. I just had to be a part of it, and it was amazing to get the go-ahead when I
put the idea to Indian Motorcycle."
With the go-ahead and continued support from top level partners Akrapovi ,
Beringer Brakes, Dunlop Europe, Evok3 Performance, Motorex, Öhlins and tuning
advice from Flybike, 'Appaloosa' was modified for the extreme Siberian conditions
on a tight schedule as it needed to be shipped by the beginning of February to
make the long journey to Lake Baikal.
For Brice and two of his best friends, Sébastien Lorentz and Dorsan, the first leg
of the journey involved two flights from Belgium to reach Moscow, an overnight
in the Russian capital, followed by an overnight flight further east to Ulan Ude,
before joining other competitors for a 5-hour coach journey to the event's base
in Maksimikha, Republic of Buryatia.
Arriving at the event hotel, there was no time to rest with competitor registrations
and briefings before 'Appaloosa' had to be unpacked from its special flight cases
and re-assembled ready for technical inspection in the morning.
The team's paddock garage for the week was a canvas and cloth tent with a wood-
burning stove inside. With temperatures often dipping well below -25C (-13F), the
stove was essential to keep 'Appaloosa' and the team warm enough to work and
operate. Sharing the tent with the Workhorse team were two Russian vehicles and
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AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE DEALER - MAY 2020
their teams, a tiny home-built bike with a lawnmower engine and a classic Ural.
Brice commented: "They didn't speak any English, we didn't speak any Russian,
but as with all car and motorcycle enthusiasts, it was a really friendly atmosphere.
Through hand gestures and pointing, we were able to communicate, help each
other out and lend each other tools. That's what I love about events like this, we're
all here for the same reason."
Technical inspections completed, 'Appaloosa' and Sébastien Lorentz were given
the all-clear to try their first test run on the 1/8 mile course, a final qualification
step for the organizers to be sure the rider is in control and safe, before being
allowed to run at speed on the Baikal ice.
"The first run was good, I was just looking to test the traction of the studded tire
that Dorsan had built, to see how stable the bike was, and of course, to make sure
I could stop," said Sébastien Lorentz. "Appaloosa pulled really well, and the front
tire was not being pulled by the uneven surface. With good control, traction and
stability, it gave me the confidence to go harder in the next run."
With another quicker run on the 1/8 mile, Brice and Seb agreed it was time to test
on the one-mile course. Although a standard race distance for speed runs, there
is a specific reason for this distance at the Baikal Mile festival - Lake Baikal is the
deepest lake in the world with a maximum depth of one mile.
The first run on the full mile revealed surprises that the team were not expecting,
particularly that the ice was much bumpier than the short 1/8 mile. The front and
rear suspension compressed enough to bring the tire studs into contact with the
fins of the rear tail unit and a front fairing cross member, requiring some
modifications to the bodywork to allow for clearance. Limiting the top speed of
the bike was an unknown electrical issue at higher speeds in the top gears.
"We knew we'd be facing issues we couldn't really predict as we have no
experience of racing on ice," commented Brice. "I've spoken to teams here who
have run perfectly at Bonneville and then the first time they came to Baikal, their
machines just wouldn't work properly due to the extreme conditions."
"With just that one run, we have learnt so much about ice speed racing. With that
experience and the helpful advice and suggestions from the teams around us, we'll
make some changes before tackling the mile again. On the electrical issue, I'll
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