Ice racing is a big deal in Canada, and usually dominated by the likes of Lada's factory team. In a fit of motorsport enthusiasm, Mazda decided to take control of the series, and constructed the Ice Racer. Click on the images above to see full size pictures.

The car almost didn't make it. Some higher executives in the factory thought the time and effort should be spent on other things, like figuring out how to formulate more shades of blue for the "regular" Miatas. Thankfully, the enthusiasts prevailed and the Ice Racer was born. Originally slated to be limited to 50 cars, one extra was added for Richard Dekker of Edmonton.

It's a limited homogolation special equipped with a turbocharged V6, full time 4 wheel drive, and radically adjustable suspension. Only 51 were made, and they all share the Safety Orange paint job for easy retrieval from snowbanks. There is no top, giving the Miata Ice Racer a guaranteed victory in the little contested Roadster category.

The engine is modified to deal with ice racing's peculiar demands. Thanks to the sub-freezing temperatures in the sport, Mazda was able to do away with the radiator and oil cooler, lightening the car by 52.1 kilograms. The engine is also fitted with a warm air induction system to help deal with the cold. A turbocharger is fitted to help heat the intake air - it runs at very low boost because of the density of air at the usual cold temperatures. Hotter cams round out the package, and give 268 horsepower in -20 degrees Celsius. Due to these modifications, however, the engine overheats whenever the temperature rises above freezing. Because of this, dry-pavement testing session has never been possible.

The suspension has a full 9 inches of adjustability. On a smooth, well prepared track, the car is run in the lowest position to lessen drag and take advantage of ground effects. This is the ice racing equivalent of a superspeedway. On a "natural" track, however, the car is run at its highest setting to avoid snowdrifts and other course debris such as ice fishermen. The tires are heavily studded with half inch bolts. The tranmission is a 5 speed, driving a full time 4 wheel drive through three Torsen differentials.

Thanks to this all out effort, Mazda has been able to wrest the ice racing crown from the Lada team, winning the championships at the 1995 Ice Racing Break-Ups.

Performance is stunning, to say the least. 0-100 kmh in 6.3 seconds on glare ice! If you ever get a chance to experience one of these creatures, do not pass up the opportunity.