Third generation Ice Racer Jimmy Olson says he was born to build and drive. With a custom built engine and studded tires, Jimmy takes the wheel and hits the ice for a heart-pounding ride around the track.
Transcript
The minute I put my helmet on, strap in, and it’s time to hit the gas pedal, there’s some sort of switch that just goes off and it’s like total serene, total peace, I’m in my own zone, and I’m ready to fly.
I’m a third-generation ice racer. I grew up with my dad and my grandpa in the shop. Racing is definitely in my blood.
I’ve loved it, not just for the fact I think I’ve been around it, but I do think I was born to be here to drive and build stuff.
I take everything that I build to heart. It’s a piece of me. The different tones and sounds of engines. It’s curiosity to me. I love it.
Probably the biggest thing to any race car is the engine; next to the driver.
There’s this huge sense of accomplishment when I build something.
Working on a vehicle, especially my own, is extremely therapeutic. It’s like total peace. There’s no other experience. Nothing else like it.
I truly love building something, seeing it come to shape, come to life, you give it your own personal touch and you take that to the track. And then in turn see what your driving capably can do.
The town of Georgetown relies on us to give them a number reading. In the morning before anybody goes out somebody will walk out, physically drill that lake, to see where we’re at.
It’s common to have clubs or organizations such as the Daytona 500 with NASCAR, NHRA and drag racing. Our Gang, that’s our club. Our Gang.
Generations after generations have played a huge part in keeping the club going. I hope that it continues to grow and our kids, and the next kids, and the next kids complete the cycle.
Competition’s always been fierce at Georgetown, but there’s always been competition that pushes me to the next level.
When I go to a race my main objective is to win. I know that I’m going to go there with a chance that I might get beat and that’s fine. But that’s what makes that risk all that much more important.
You’re definitely not going to get rich off of ice racing. You’re going to get rich in friends, in passion, and experience, but not in money.
You spend countless hours building this Jeep, to go have seconds of fun. But when you do, it completely pays for itself. You forget how many hours, how sore your fingers, how sore your hands are, how tired you are, when you go hit that gas, spend time with your family, you put a smile on the face of someone you give a ride to, it’s breathtaking.
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