Pokey Tire Ice Racing 2026

Pokey Tire Ice Racing 2026 was held on German Lake at the Beaver Dam Resort in Cleveland, MN on January 31st. I went last year and had a lot of fun, so I was planning to return, this time with a different vehicle. January has been difficult here in Minnesota, especially in and around Minneapolis. I've lived in this state longer than any other, and the last month has been a roller coaster mix of heartbreaking, infuriating, and inspirational. It was nice to get outside and enjoy just a little bit of fun in a way that felt very Minnesotan (though I know other nearby states have fun on frozen lakes too). I brought my 1970s SnowCo Tri-Scat.

I never had the Tri-Scat on ice before, and I didn't want to stud my only set of tires so I bought a set of tire chains. I waited until the day before the event to try to attach them. They were a huge pain put on due to the knobby tires. I ended up removing the tires to attach the chains but it still wasn't easy. They were also too long - I had to take an angle grinder to them to remove enough links to get a snug fit. Once done, I loaded it on a trailer fully untested with nothing but hope and a gas can. Thankfully, they were awesome - plenty of grip to go and just enough slip to goof around and spin out when I wanted to.

Beau was there with his hot rod.

He seemed to have a blast all day long.

So many cool vehicles...

Multiple tracks were set up on the ice. There wasn't any competition-style racing. It was all just a big laid-back free-for-all. People were just out having fun whether on the drag strip, ovals, or other tracks. Nearly all the photos I took were from the comfort of my Tri-Scat. I'd just ride around, take some photos, ride somewhere else, take some more, do a run down the drag strip, take more photos. So fun!