An ice racer is equipped with a fuel tank that holds ten gallons, which will last about 95 miles. The drivers must stop to refuel twice in the race.

In NASCAR races, pit stops for fuel are crucial and the same is true in ice racing. John has added a NASCAR fuel filler to the fuel tank so that a pitstop for fuel takes less than 15 seconds, which is 40 seconds quicker than the sleds without the racing filler.

The NASCAR fuel filler is also safer than using an ordinary jerry can. The flow of fuel doesn't start until the fuel nozzle is fully inserted into the fuel tank so there is no spillage. Click for a photo of the fuel bottle

At the Burns Lake race, special absorbent mats under each snowmobile in the pit area soak up any fuel or oil that may be spilled. That keeps fuel and oil out of the lake water when the ice melts in the spring.

A weak point for an ice racer is the suspension. The engine, clutch and drive belts can take the punishment from flat-out racing but the high-g corners and the rough ice surface are hard on shocks, springs and suspensions. Special racing parts are added to strengthen the ski assembly up front and the track assembly out back, and to lower the centre of gravity of the sled.