Luge Road Racing

by Chad Ison

Luge road racing began as an underground sport in the early 70's when California skateboarders began sitting on their decks and racing each otherthey called it "butt-boarding." Eight years later racers built head-first, fiberglass-enclosed vehicles and raced against each other on Signal Hill in California. In 1980, lugers created the "Signal Hill Rules," forbidding enclosed cockpits, truck widths greater than a foot, and wheels in excess of five inches. Later that year, the first organized luge race took place on the legendary Glendora Mountain Road. Luger Darren Lott was featured on the cover of Skateboarder Magazine, and inside the magazine was a second photo of Darren receiving a ticket. Shortly after that, Los Angeles enacted an ordinance forbidding any skateboard on a hill steeper than a three percent grade and from going faster than 10 miles per hour. The purpose of this ordinance was to put an end to this outlaw sport called "road luging."

In 1984, Bob Pereyra was featured in a television show that exposed and hopefully legitimized road luging for the first time. Seeking to shake the sport's outlaw image, Pereyra founded RAIL (Roadracers Association for International Luge). Years later, the X Games brought the sport of street luge into the limelight when it made its debut at the 1995 Extreme Games. With an increase in public interest and television publicity, the sport would not stop growing.

Today street luging has grown from a few participants across the globe into hundreds of members; including ones from Germany, Brazil, and the fifty states. No longer is street luge supported by a loose-knit underground of riders on shabby garage-built sleds trying not to get ticketed by the police. Street luge has grown into a bonafide sport with governing bodies, technological advances and professional riders.

Along with the increase in popularity has come a growth in organization, and because of this, the sport has experienced some growing pains. Past conflicts between various governing bodies has drawn some divisions within the luging community. There are currently four main organizations that govern the sport of street luge: EDI (Extreme Downhill International), RAIL (Roadracers Association for International Luge), IGSA (International Gravity Sports Association) and NSLA (National Street Luge Association). All are headed by current street luge elite and are racing hard to claim the No. 1 spot among the sport's participants.

What goes into this fast-paced sport? With a deck, wheels, and trucks, a street luge is really just a super-modified skateboard. The young sport has numerous models and designs from different parts of the world. Some luges are homemade and others are created from commercial production lines.

What's needed in building a luge? To begin with, an eight-foot-long rail of aluminum mounted on specially made wheels to prevent melting. The aluminum rail rests just one and a half inches off the road. There are basically two types of luges; a sled-type luge that has a body pan custom fitted to the racer, and a rail luge that is a three inch wide aluminum piece fitted with a head rest, foot pegs and a seat.

Every luge pilot should be involved in the construction of their own craft, which is built around their specific weight and shape. If you aren't equipped with a machine shop, you'll probably need the services of a good machinist. If you find the right one, they'll be the best "design consultant" for your project. Rarely will a good machinist build something that won't work or is poorly designed! They may even help you find the right materials at a good price.

To build a rail luge, you begin with a three inch wide aluminum channel (60-61 T-6) for the frame. The other components, like the gussets and pan, are made from aluminum armor plating, like military airplanes are made from. In the frame, there are two transitions that drop the center of your body close to the ground. Gussets are added to the side for extra support and in the rear for a head rest.

The body pan has handles attached, and foot pegs and nerf bars added to the bottom to deflect hay bales, other luges, etc. The headrest should provide a comfortable place for your HELMETED head. The helmet you'll use will increase the size of your skull considerably. When you ride, you may find that you rarely use the head rest except for longer, speed gathering downhill straight sections. When riding corners, you'll tend to "sit-up" somewhat to negotiate the turn.

Finally, trucks (the axles) that include a flywheel are mounted to help store momentum. Trucks must be lean-activated, like those on a skateboard. There should be bumper pads on each end of the luge. They should be enough to cushion the impact if the streetluge gets away from you.

The seat of the luge is usually made from aluminum sheet stock which is molded for a custom fit. You'll be lying on it and the ride can be bumpy, so most luges have some sort of padding. Also, make sure there is a place to rest your back and there is ample padding at the crotch area. You can locate hand-holds along the side of the seat. Hand-holds should not restrict movement in the seat, and they should NOT be located between the legs.

If you do not have the resources to build a sled to your specifications, you can purchase luge kits or pre-made luges from luge stores. The cost can run anywhere from $600 to $2,000 - depending on the materials and accessories.

There are no straps and no brakes. The most common way to stop was made famous by Fred Flintstone: simply drop your feet onto the pavement and hang on. When going 60-70 mph, it can take between 30-40 yards to stop completely. When turning, allow your body to move naturally. Shifting weight will move the luge, the key is not to overcompensate.

Nothing corners like a luge - no car, motorcycle, or vehicle can catch it going downhill on a curvy road. The main difference between sled-style luges and rails, is the attachement of the belly or seat pan to the rail. The rail type luge has a constant rail that runs the entire length of the luge, the pan is attached to the top of the rail. A sled luge has a pan that connects the front and rear boom, allowing the pilot to sit lower to the ground. The most important factor in choosing which type of luge is best for you is personal preference.

Now, don a full-body leather suit (the type motorcycle riders wear), over the ankle boots or tennis shoes (with special shoe rubber added and custom fitted to your soles for that Flintstone braking system), leather gloves, and a D.O.T. or SNELL approved full-face helmet, and hit the pavement.

Safety is the key issue with street luging. Lugers have a bad rap as renegades and law breakers for their highway antics. The problem is there are few places to ride without sharing the road with motor vehicles. This could be the major drawback of street luging. It is usually best to have a chase vehicle follow you downhill and carry you back uphill for your next run. Some pilots utilize two-way radios or walkie-talkies to signal when the road is clear for a safe run. The most important thing is to ride safe.

Traveling down a road on a luge is a lot different from watching it being done. John Fry, luge roadracer from Louisville, KY says that it may seem perilous and unsafe when you are watching it. However, when you are the one controlling the luge, it feels much safer and you realize the amount of control you have. "There is a high hallucination factor," he says. "Pebbles and their shadows look huge, dips in the road appear as puddles, and corners can sneak up really fast, but passing cars don't seem to be a problem as long as they stay in their own lane."

The best advice for anyone looking to get involved in the sport of land luge, is to purchase "The Street Luge Survival Guide," a book written by Darren Lott. It's the best $14.95 you'll spend in this sport whether for competition or recreation. It can be purchased on line. Or ask your local library to get a copy.

For more information on Luge road racing, or how to get started in this fast paced sport, contact Extremz Magazine, 3507 Dogwood Circle, LaGrange, KY 40031 or log on to our web-site at: Extremz.com and click on the luge site for other informative web-sites on street luging.