A former regular sidecar TT passenger from Foxdale has spent the last four winters ice racing on the fringes of the Arctic Circle.

Tim Dixon admits that, at 60, it’s an unusual time to completely change direction in motorsport, but he is really enjoying a new adrenalin rush racing on frozen lakes with the aid of heavily-spiked tyres.

’I’m loving it. Ice speedway is an amazing sport, but it would be nice to have a couple more to join me from the Isle of Man - it’s a long old haul from here to the north of Sweden or Finland.’

Dixon, a self-employed builder, re-located to the island in 2000.

He originally rode solo in grasstrack and sand racing events near to his former Lincolnshire home.

’I did five years, mostly grasstracking, but then got into sidecar racing on circuits and roads. I think I’ve passengered for 32 different drivers over the years. Sidecars are a bit like that.’

His TT debut came the year he settled in his new island home when he partnered Barry Sloper. He then spent four years with Andy Kinsella, finishing 20th in 2003.

He jumped in with Wal Saunders of Knocksharry for a single year before joining Allan Schofield. It was with him that he gained his best result on the Mountain Course - 11th in 2006 on a Dave Molyneux-built Suzuki outfit.

Dixon raced with Dick Hawes, who lived between the Isle of Man and Holland for some years - but sadly passed away last September in his 70s.

Tim’s last appearance in the TT was with resident Dubliner Alan Langton in 2008, but he has also raced in the Pre-TT Classic at Billown and numerous classic events on the Continent - in particular road courses like Chimay in Belgium with Hawes.

A godfather to Lightweight TT winner Ivan Lintin, Tim has been involved in motorcycle racing of some kind for 35 years.

His first involvement with ice racing came in 1994 when he spectated at an indoor event at a speed skating stadium at Assen in Holland.

His first dabble on ice came in Finland another 11 years later.

’It was at the invite of a friend in Holland, and I drove for three days to get to the venue on a frozen lake just 30 kilometres short of the Arctic Circle.

’The round trip was more than 5,000 kilometres. When I got home to Foxdale, my wife asked if I had got the ice racing thing out of my system? To which I answered - yes, for this year!’

He first raced on ice three years ago and last winter he was joined by friends - Roger Newton of Macclesfield and Rob Irving of Bedfordshire (both also in their 60s). They were the only three riders from the British Isles racing on ice.

’Rob doesn’t appear to be racing this year, so it’s down to two now.’

Dixon is hopeful of contesting three or four OMK Rundbana League events in Sweden over the next six weeks or so or so. He rode one last year.

’Ice racing does tend to be all a bit short notice. Most of the training is on frozen lakes, but the league events take place at big indoor stadiums or frozen speedway tracks. I went over to Sweden before Christmas, and then to a qualifying event in Finland the weekend before last, but that was cancelled as it was too warm!

’It’s not always like that, sometimes we use blow torches and hot air heat guns to get the bikes [and the riders] warmed up.’

The oval tracks vary in length from 200 to 400 metres, with an average field of around 20 riders competing in races of four at a time over four-laps.

Dixon races a two-valve 500cc Jawa - specially adapted for the ice with large metal spikes threaded through the rubber for maximum grip on the ice.

’One particular guy is an expert in fitting the spikes. He drills holes in the tyres and puts large washers either side of the rubber - one on the inside and one on the outside - to strengthen the tyre. A cut-up fire hose lines the inside carcass of the tyre to protect the tube.’

Clearly, ice racing is very dangerous, so riders have to be well padded and protected with body armour - but it is still a risky pastime.

’Unlike speedway, you don’t put your feet out on the corners, you can’t risk it, you have to keep them tucked up out of the way.’

Dixon is sponsored by Simon Reitsma of Friesland [a province in the north of the Netherlands], who Tim started off helping with a few Euros when he was competing - and now the boot is on the other foot.

His big ambition is to race in the final round of the 2020 FIM Ice Speedway World Championships at Heerenveen in the Netherlands on April 4-5.

It’s a fascinating sport, certainly not for the feint-hearted, but Tim is really keen to get a few more locals involved. Anyone keen can get in touch with him on 456005 or email [email protected]

Higher Foxdale’s Tim Dixon had to find something to satisfy his adrenalin fix after retiring from life as a sidecar TT passenger - so now he’s riding on frozen lakes in Finland!