Racing motorcycles on a frozen lake or river is undoubtedly the most counter-intuitive form of motorcycle racing imaginable, as it’s challenging to even walk across a frozen lake without slipping and taking a fall.

Riding a motorcycle on ice seems impossible, but after you add a few-hundred razor-sharp traction screws to the front and rear tires, you’ll experience traction levels as good as the best dirt or even asphalt tracks. Unbelievable, but true. 

Ice racing is the secret training weapon for flat track racers living in northern states, allowing them to stay fit and fast all year round. Riding off-road or flat track bikes modified with studded tires, special protective fenders and (sometimes) lowered suspension, ice racers compete on plowed courses that are either oval-style, like a flat track, or grand-prix style with right and left turns of all shapes and sizes.  

The most popular states for ice racing are Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin Northern Indiana and New York. The best ice racers in the country compete at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championships, which offer classes for riders from 4 years old to 50-plus, competing on bikes, sidecar rigs and ATVs. In addition to racing for AMA National No. 1 plates at the AMA Ice Race Grand Championship, AMA members compete in local ice racing events every winter, too.