A frozen world of speed and thrills

All About Bikes visited Östersund on a chilly Sunday in January to witness a round of the Allsvenskan ice racing series. There, we had the chance to meet Annica Karlsson, a rider with a deep passion for a sport that is truly unlike anything else.

Annica has been riding ice racing bikes since 2004, though it wasn’t until three years ago that she got her licence and began competing. “It was actually by chance that I ended up in the Swedish Championship,” she recalls. One team found itself short of a rider, and after a bit of persuasion, Annica stepped in. “After that, it just snowballed, and before I knew it, I was on my way to the Netherlands to race in the Roelof Thijs Cup, a competition held alongside the World Championships.”

A Swedish legacy in motorsports
Ice racing, a motorsport with Swedish roots, was pioneered in the 1930s by Sweden’s first professional speedway rider, Torsten Sjöberg. By fitting his motorcycle tyres with long steel spikes, Sjöberg introduced a new technique: leaning into the corners instead of sliding, creating what became known as the “diving style.” His innovation marked the birth of ice racing as a distinct motorsport.
During its heyday, ice racing events in Sweden drew massive crowds. In 1948, a record-breaking 16,541 spectators packed Stockholm’s stadium to watch a domestic elite-level competition.

By the 1960s, Swedish riders began performing demonstration races in the Soviet Union, where the sport was still developing. At the time, Soviet riders used shorter spikes and two-stroke motorcycles, leaving them outclassed by the Swedes. However, the Soviet motorcycling federation quickly adopted the Swedish long-spike design and four-stroke engines. Before long, they were not only catching up but overtaking Sweden in dominance. By the late 1960s, ice racing had achieved World Championship status, with Russian riders consistently at the top. Today, ice racing is enjoyed across Europe in countries with suitable icy tracks.

Passion for Ice Racing
Annica competes for her home club in Strömsund, the same track where she first rode an ice racing bike. For her, the sport is more than just a way to stay active year-round. “In the summer, I ride a regular motorcycle, but ice racing is something I do in the winter to keep riding all year. Plus, it’s so much fun!” she says with a big smile.

As the only active female competitor in the sport, Annica humorously describes herself as both the best and worst woman in the world. “I’m the best female rider in the world – but also the worst, depending on the day,” she laughs with a twinkle in her eye.

Annica fondly recalls racing against other women, particularly one memorable match against Elenor Dyvinger-Gjersvold, who has since retired to become a brilliant team leader for Strömsund.

“After the first heat, when we came into the paddock, we were both so happy and full of adrenaline from such a close race. We were jumping around, hugging, and giggling like kids. Neither of us even knew who had won, but we both knew it couldn’t get more fun than that,” Annica shares.

She still considers that match one of the five most enjoyable races she has ever competed in. “We were so evenly matched. I don’t think a single lap went by without us overtaking each other. It was constant action, a battle all the way to the finish line in every heat. Naturally, she beat me in the final deciding heat, and I proudly took second place.”

Elenor Dyvinger-Gjersvold is one of only two other Swedish women to have competed in ice racing, the other being Helena Nordberg, now Christensen.

The Risks of Ice Racing
But ice racing isn’t without its dangers. Just a day before our meeting, Annica had crashed during a heat and accidentally run over herself. “I had a close encounter with the spikes,” she says, showing off some fresh scars that bear witness to the sport’s intensity.

Despite the challenges, it’s clear that Annica loves the sport and its sense of community. The Östersund competition attracted both riders and spectators who braved the cold to experience ice racing at its best – freezing temperatures, blue skies, and still air. The event featured fifteen riders from Sweden and neighbouring countries.

The Mechanics of Ice Racing

Motorcycles

• Engines are 500cc single-cylinder four-strokes, primarily from Jawa.
• According to regulations, only two-valve engines are permitted, making them lower-revving than speedway bikes.
• Engines run on methanol, so in the paddock between heats, bikes are kept warm with covers and heaters to prevent the oil from thickening. Methanol also performs best when cold during refuelling.
• You cannot buy a factory-assembled ice racing bike. Riders purchase the frame and engine separately and assemble the bike themselves.

Tyres and Spikes

• The spikes are 28 mm long, with approximately 120 spikes on the front tyre and 180 on the rear.
• Spikes are arranged from the centre to the left side of the tyre for optimal grip in left-hand turns.
• Fitting the spikes, or “spiking,” is a craft that riders often do themselves.

Weight

• The minimum weight for an ice racing bike is 110 kg (excluding fuel).

Differences from Speedway Bikes

• Ice racing bikes have two gears (the first is only used at the start), whereas speedway bikes have no gears, only a clutch.
• Ice racing bikes have rear suspension and advanced front forks for better handling.
• They lack brakes and have no footpeg on the left side.
• Ice racing bikes maintain speed through corners, equivalent to a speedway bike’s top speed on straightaways.

Safety Gear

• Leather or Kevlar suits, often reinforced with bulletproof material.
• Full-face helmets.
• Gloves with plastic reinforcements to protect against spikes.
• Knee protection: the left knee has extra padding to rest against the ice in corners.
• Reinforced boots, especially on the left side.
• Deadman’s switch: a cord attached to the rider’s right wrist cuts the engine in case of a fall.

Tracks

• Ice tracks are 230–400 metres long and at least 11 metres wide on straights and curves. Spectators are only allowed in well-protected areas.

Popular tracks in Sweden

• Örnsköldsvik
• Strömsund
• Östersund
• Bollnäs
• Gävle