They did well enough with that first hybrid to win a few bucks, and they were hooked. Bergquist soon built another hybrid racer, a CBR600R-engined quad, also in less than a week's time. He recruited his son, Daniel, to ride with him and began winning enough money to pay for the hobby.
The crown jewel of the stable is the GSX-R1000-powered quad, which family friend, Tyler Brobston, was riding in St. Paul.
Like the bulk of the ice racers, the Bergquist crew is at the track mainly to have a good time. Daniel is going to school for engineering and says he races just for fun. When asked whether the 600 or the 1000 is better on the track, he shrugged and said it depends on the track. He added that which rider finishes up front isn't all that important.
"Between the two of us, it doesn't matter who wins 'cause it's the same budget. No matter who finishes where, as long as we both finish well, it's the same money," Daniel said. "My teammate, Tyler Brobston, is the brother I never had. It's a family affair."
The talk of the Unlimited Outlaw Quad class is the 200-horsepower No. 11 GSX-R1000-engined Honda piloted by Tyler Brobston. The point leader runs a modified Yamaha Banshee-horsepower helps on the small rinks, but it isn't everything.
The money at stake is modest. First place generally pays $500 and second $350. A team of four can net $1000 on a good weekend, enough to cover gas and food if the crew lives modestly.
"You can actually make a few bucks," Don said. "We have a minivan and we all split gas money, which works out, and we have a ball."
Even at the pro level, the racers have to rely on other sources of income to pay the mortgage, which might be part of the series' charm. In the end, if you stuff the guy next to you into the wall, you know he'll have to miss work on Monday.