Large metal spikes protrude from the tires as the motorcycles line up to race on the frozen Clairmont Lake. 

Racers will reach speeds of about 150 km/h on the 7.2-kilometere track, which is about 12 metres wide and was created only days earlier.

“It's pretty high speed and obviously dangerous,” says Dwayne Hausler, Wapiti Off-road Association vice president.

Motorbikes and ATVs will race in a two-moto format, with each race lasting about 45 minutes.

The races have been going since the 1990s, and today is no different at the Studs on Ice race. 

“It's usually a dead engine start, and then we'll do as many laps as you can in that 45 minutes, and the person with the most laps obviously wins.”

The track itself is full of turns and straightaways and, because it's made by plowing away the snow on the ice surface, it changes every year.

Racers come from all over, including southern Alberta, for the unique races.

“It's a niche sport,” said Hausler, noting that there is a lot of preparation. Racers need to specially order tires from Quebec and modify their bikes for winter conditions; there are safety considerations as well due to factors such as having a 3.5-centimetre metal studs protruding from their tire.

Kirk Kostenuk grew up hearing the motors roar on Clairmont Lake and started driving his motorbike on the ice three years ago. 

The feeling he gets makes it all worthwhile; he says hitting the high speed feels great on the ice. 

He rides fast and leans into the corners of the track to such a low point it looks as if the bike should fall over. 

“You have more traction on it (ice),” he says. 

After 45 minutes of high-speed racing, Kostenuk notes how much his hands shake. Other riders can be seen stretching their hands after their stint as well. 

Kostenuk made it across the finish line, while other bikes had to be pushed across (they were running out of fuel).

After the race, many drivers gather around to talk, giving each other tips to help them get the most out of their next race.

What these drivers do is unique to this style of racing.

Talk about setting up air filters and radiators are shared; some riders describe the behaviour of their motorbikes during the last 45 minutes on the ice.  

During the race, the drivers make their laps and accumulate points. The one with the most points after the six races this year will be declared the winner. 

“We used to do six different weekends, but it was taking up everyone's entire winter, so we decided to compact it all into doubleheaders instead,” said Hausler.

This year's six races are Jan. 11, 12, 18, and 19 on Clairmont Lake and then on Feb. 15 and 16 on Charlie Lake near Fort St. John, B.C.

Later in March, the racers will return to Clairmont Lake for the Numb Bum, a 24-hour endurance race. 

The Numb Bum has racers driving for 24 hours around the track in teams, driving a total of about 1,600 kilometres.

 “We'll make another 10 kilometres of track, so we'll have 17 to 20 kilometres and whoever makes the most laps and can survive the cold and mechanical breakdowns wins,” said Hausler.

The races are free to attend. A parking lot will be made on site.

Despite unseasonably warm temperatures, Hausler says he’s not worried as Clairmont Lake has about 45 centimetres of ice. 

Although admission is free, Hausler asks that people buy a membership for $20 if they enjoy the event and want to support the Wapiti Off Road association.