Driving a performance vehicle on ice as part of a race driver's winter or off-season training provides several key benefits, particularly in terms of sensory skill refinement and fine motor learning; as well as simply being an unusual and mentally restorative (aka fun!) exercise for athletes in an otherwise quiet part of the year.
When looking for an interesting way to introduce new driver Filip Engdahl to our UK audience with some promotional work in his home market, we decided ice driving would be the perfect pre-season activity to blow away the winter cobwebs and hone key motor skills specific to a motorsport athlete ahead of the new season.
With Filip being from the relatively temperate city of Malmö in the South of Sweden, we ventured 900 km north to Södra Lötsjön, near the Swedish ski resort of Sälen to meet the team at Ice Drive Sweden. Open during January and February every year, the facility is a unique way for race drivers to conduct focused work on the fine motor skills that impact car control and feel in low grip conditions, either in isolation or as part of more structured coaching aims.
The venue offers something for everyone, whatever your level of car-handling, with an in-house team of instructors and fleet of vehicles incorporating road-going BMWs and Mazdas, right up to fire-spitting 4WD rally cars and (new for this season) the Audi R8 V10.
In this instance we were mostly interested in using the day as an exercise in getting Filip back behind the wheel after a long off-season, and really working on some of the key skills he’ll need for the forthcoming season. We chose the BMW 130i Clubsport car as the main tool for the day, with a manual gearbox and 265hp on the rear wheels making it a perfect ice driving machine. The addition of uprated suspension, a roll cage and racing seats from the road-going variant helped mentally solidify the racing link and trigger muscle memory for Filip at this point in his off-season having not been in a race car since the end of last year.
But what exactly are the benefits? Ice driving exposes race drivers to unpredictable and challenging conditions, requiring them to adapt quickly to changes in grip, speed, and traction. This builds cognitive flexibility, or the ability to adjust mental strategies in response to evolving circumstances.
On ice, small changes in steering, throttle, and braking can result in significant outcomes. This low risk environment (relatively, compared to circuit racing) allows drivers to focus intently on minute details, refining their concentration skills. Fine motor skills, such as steering, throttle control, and braking, require precise and delicate movements, and ice driving forces the driver to adjust and perfect small adjustments for maximum control; while also training that sense of race driver ‘feel’ (aka proprioception) you get through body contact with the seat.
Furthermore, on slippery ice the coordination between a driver’s visual inputs and motor outputs is tested. Ice training encourages the development of visual-motor integration, which is the process of coordinating what the driver sees with the motor commands they send to the vehicle’s control systems (steering, braking, etc.). Improving this coordination on ice makes it easier for the driver to respond to visual cues, like changes in road conditions or the behaviour of other drivers, with precise and timely responses.
Picking up cues on changes in surface traction forces the driver to make split-second decisions based on tactile feedback, visual cues (e.g., ice patches or snow drifts), and auditory information (e.g., tire sounds and engine noise). Training in such conditions improves the driver’s ability to integrate and process these sensory inputs efficiently, and enhances the driver’s ability to perceive the vehicle's behaviour more quickly; a skill critical in race environments where fractions of a second can make a significant difference.
Finally, the element of this being an interesting and fun exercise that is mentally very different to the winter routine of gym and simulator-based training should not be overlooked. Off-season training on ice can serve as a restorative period for skill development, in allowing the driver to work on refining core skills without the intense physical strain or stress of regular race conditions. Training on less predictable surfaces provides unique cognitive and sensory challenges that keep the mind sharp and the body in condition without the fatigue that typically accompanies a full race schedule. This type of deliberate practice also allows the driver to focus on technical aspects of driving, fostering subtle long-term improvement in technique.
In summary, ice driving offers a unique training opportunity that develops both the fine motor skills and neurological foundations required for high-level racing. By practicing adaptability, sensory integration, decision-making, and visual-motor coordination, drivers can significantly improve their overall performance one the competitive season resumes; particularly in situations requiring precise control such as wet weather races.
Thank you to the team at Ice Drive Sweden, who are open from 25th January - 28th February for the 2026 season, which you can find all the information about via their website.
All photos by Sprite Photography
Comments