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HomeFeaturesBuilding an Iron Dog: Brian Dick's 2013 Arctic Cat Alaskan Race Sled

Building an Iron Dog: Brian Dick’s 2013 Arctic Cat Alaskan Race Sled

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

In the 2013 edition of the Alaska Iron Dog race, Team Arctic’s Brian Dick and Eric Quam paired as a potent team capable of winning the rugged event.

Running a pair of Arctic Cat Sno Pro 600 race sleds with a host of modifications, the duo were running in second place heading into the last few hundred miles of the event, with a shot at the win, when two component failures ended their bid.

What does it take to build a potential race-winning sled for Iron Dog?

“It was a joint effort to build the sleds,” says Brian. “The sleds were shipped stock, off the assembly line, to Eric in Alaska, where he and Brad Helwig essentially tore them down and reassembled according to plan.

“I built some of the custom components here, then Joe Lesmeister and I joined Eric and Brad for a week of additional work, about a month before the race. We also had a lot of help from Jack Klayum and my dad Paul.”

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

A significant change on the 2013 sled compared with the previous year was the addition of oil injection on the Sno Pro 600 engine, to save time at the checkpoints by eliminating the hassle of premixing fuel.

According to Brian, “This took a lot of extra work because the race engine isn’t designed with an oil pump. Being the wizard that he is, Eric machined some stuff on an oil pump to get the ratio that we wanted. We designed a reservoir (See the aluminum tank behind the muffler -Ed.) that fit around the recoil and worked well.”

To run on the 87-octane fuel provided by the race, the 600 race engine was de-tuned with lower compression heads and double-ring pistons.

Jetted for -40º F, Antifreeze coolant to -50º F.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Adequate storage is a key ingredient to a successful Iron Dog program. A modified seat cover incorporates a zippered rear storage pouch large enough to contain a tool kit, oil measuring cup and a few spare parts like brake & throttle levers.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

The cockpit of each sled incorporates additional storage via Arctic Cat accessory bags. The end of the brake lever was chopped off to clear the stacked windshields. The stock speedo/gauge was pulled to provide room for a custom-bracket for the needed GPS. Gauntlets on the handlebars for added warmth.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Small windshield bag for tools, extra gloves, extra NoFog mask and saw. Handlebar bag for spare goggles and a piece of fuel hose (used as a straw to enable drinking while wearing a helmet at checkpoints).

Moved hot grip switch to the handlebars (so it can be adjusted while riding)

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Ample snow and bitter cold conditions means snow dust can be a problem. High-impact plastic is placed under the running board holes prevents some of the snow from swirling up from the track and posing problems with goggles, gear and visibility.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

The suspension is stock, but with every nut and bolt given a drop of red Loc-Tite and torqued to spec.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Additional custom, high-impact plastic was added in the form of a skid-plate on the bellypan.

Mesh bra for intake screens on the hood.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

An extra-tall windshield aids in the comfort factor, a necessary focus of any successful team. Each sled has two windshields (placed together). That way if one rider busts his up, the other rider has a spare.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Custom aluminum fuel tanks were fabricated and affixed like saddlebags to the rear running boards. Total fuel capacity = 17.5 gallons.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Bag mounted on the clutch-side of the bellypan for tools and parts. Bag mounted on the chaincase side of the bellypan for parts and safety gear.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

As a just-in-case piece of prevention, remote-reservoir, coil-over FOX Shox replace the stock EVOL Float shocks. In the event of a seal getting nicked and the nitrogen charge leaks, the coil-over units would still keep the sled level and rideable.

Because of the more common high-speed/light-chop running that characterizes the Iron Dog, the ski shocks were calibrated lighter than what Brian runs in USXC cross-country races. Conversely, the rear suspension was calibrated heavier because of the added weight of the gear-laden machines.

Rear bag on the tunnel (not shown) for the sleeping bag and extra clothes that teams are required to carry.

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Stock Arctic Cat skis (Dick and Quam wanted less aggressive handling than what the stock C&A Pro skis offer).

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

WOODYS Studded track (2 per bar).

Extra capacity rear cooler (for low snow conditions, not shown).

 

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

Additional Lightforce high-output headlight (not mounted in this photo) above the stock headlights for added nighttime visibility.

Brian and Eric explain that success in the Iron Dog goes beyond sled preparation and the ability to race fast:

“We implemented a very strategic spare parts plan to ensure that we had the essentials in our support plane, which was piloted by one of the best in the business, Pat Reilly.”

Sponsors that will support these two again for 2014:

*Christian Brothers Racing

*Fox Racing Shox

*Woody’s

*Speedwerx

*Ericco Tool & Mfg

*ArcticWear Clothing

*Anchorage Suzuki Arctic Cat

*Rain Proof Roofing

*Dick Distributing

 

Update to Brian and Eric’s plans for 2014:

After returning this past weekend from a two-week trip to Alaska, during which Brian and Eric evaluated the new XF7000 137-in. as well as the new ZR6000, the duo have decided to race the new ZR6000 RR models this season.

Here’s what Brian says about the recent trip:

“I just got back from Alaska, where the testing went well. Eric rode with us for a few days.  We had two XF7000 137-in. models and two ZR6000El Tigres.  

“After running some comparisons, then discussing all angles and options, our decision is to go with the ZR6000 RRs.  We were both very happy with the way the engines ran, fuel consumption was much better than the carbureted engines we ran last year. The cold start was amazing, just two pulls every time, despite four extremel;y cold mornings (-31 F, -38 F, and -40 F, -40 F.

“Both sleds had positive attributes, but the ZR6000 felt much closer to what we ran last year, and we both felt more comfortable on it pounding through the bigger holes.”

Arctic Cat racer Brian Dick’s 2013 Sno Pro 600 Iron Dog race sled. Photo by ArcticInsider.com

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26 COMMENTS

  1. Great article John ! Keep them coming. I love the detail and prep on these race sleds. It will be great to see how the new ZR 6000 RR does this year. All the results end up helping the consumer sleds in the end.

  2. Casey,
    I can’t answer your question exactly, but I am going to suspect the xf was chosen because of the added weight of the 4stroke engine, the longer track out back provides better balance to that machine. The zr7000 while excellent, probably doesn’t quite have the balance they are looking for. If the 6000 gets even 2mpg better while running hard compared to the race sled used last year, then it really does become a no brainer to run that one.

  3. Kind of off topic but, I would love to see Cat start offering block off panels for the open running boards again. I was able to get them for my 2009 CFR and I would love to get them for my 2012 F800. Riding in deep snow after a storm last season I ended up looking like a rolling snow drift. Maybe in thin conditions more might end up in the tunnel and heat exchanger and keep the temp light off. Just a thought.

  4. Casey: the main factor in Brian’s decision was the difference between the two models in deep holes. It’s there that the lighter ZR6000 is just easier to ride. Plus it’s so similar to the machine he races throughout the season. He would be happy with either machine, however, which is a luxury to have.

  5. No TCL delete. Not needed. The Yamacat does not use it because of the location and style of exhaust it has Would be a train wreck with the exhaust moving with everything else inside the tunnel. Only reason it does not have said TCL. That and the way the motor mounts are designed on that engine.

  6. If Arctic cat would of paid attention(sooner) to consumers with all their broken jackshafts on the procross’, Dick and Quam could of gotten top 2. I think it turned out that the “wrong mixture” was being made for these shafts.

  7. What handlebar guantlets are those? They look nice and non-restrictive…. If the are an AC accessory could you please provide an Arctic part#?

    Thanks,
    -John

  8. I’m sure all procross riders would like to see that zippered storage compartment in back of the seat on all consumer sleds. Use some of your pull and Make it happen Brian Dick!!!

  9. the sled looks awesome and would be fun too ride hear in the norton sound.good luck and have fun this year guy’s,fly fast and run like the wind and jump like a CAT.Happy Holiday’s and take care.

  10. Your sailboat sondus heavenly. I had never heard what you named it the Idledreamer. Your blog is interesting to read. You should write a book about your adventures in Alaska. I tell my students about our adventures in Colorado and Alaska. They like the stories, but they are pretty tame because you took it easy on me and happened long ago now. You go to some really interesting places.

  11. Brian Tracy has been a MASSIVE influence on my life in terms of arppoach to personal goal setting. He is one of the most respected gurus in the personal development industry and I remember when I first came across his teachings, I could NOT stay away from YouTube watching his stuff. Seriously cool guy who will get you results!! http://juxajxlg.com [url=http://yxgcsm.com]yxgcsm[/url] [link=http://ztbtqddjadn.com]ztbtqddjadn[/link]

  12. I’m fascinated by this idea, and would love to do it but my hanbusd would never back me. He’s a gamer, so his xBox and computer games are vital to him the dvds too. Will keep trying Love your blog by the way! http://dnfbwcjid.com [url=http://ntcuozzuo.com]ntcuozzuo[/url] [link=http://ndoufgr.com]ndoufgr[/link]

  13. hey I have a 2014 sno pro zr 600 r and I cant seem to find anything in the manual about what position to have the timing switch at I wanna run 91 or 93 pump gas do u know what setting I should put it on ? also what setting for 50/50 with pump and 110 octane thannks

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