F
Field Ethos
Guest
By Mike Schoby
Everything about the F.A.T. International Ice Race screams opulence and bougieness—Field Ethos’ love language.
How do I describe it? Let’s just start with the basic premise: ship cars from around the world to ogle and display, burn high-octane fuel while racing around a man-made ice track constructed over an elite private golf course in the middle of Montana’s Big Sky country. Sounds intriguing even before factoring in the rest of the party.
Catered iced tables of oysters, snow crab claws, shrimp, and other exotic seafood not pulled from the Madison River. Private helicopter transportation to and from the event. Pouring the flat remnants of champagne over a snow berm before grabbing a fresh bottle off a silver platter. Multiple DJs mix beats throughout the day. All while spectators wear coats that a thousand ermines died to complete. Held in conjunction with a resort community occupied by some of the world’s wealthiest people. Divine decadence.
Welcome to the F.A.T. International Ice Races at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, where fans, celebrities, artists, and real racers collide … literally. No shit, I nearly ran into Richard Petty coming out of the VIP tent. Everything about the event’s spirit of excess is maximized when the intent is not only to race but also to party with cars in the dead of the Rocky Mountain winter.
Started in 1952, the race was revived by Ferdi Porsche (great-grandson of Ferdinand Porsche) in 2019, as the F.A.T. International Race. The original ice racing event started on Lake Zell near the town of Zell am See, Austria. It was part motorcycle, part car, part skijoring—I am sure no alcohol was consumed by those being dragged on skis behind a Porsche around a frozen lake. Sounds like our kind of good time. The first 1952 race was dedicated to Ferdinand Porsche, who passed away the year prior and was laid to rest in the town.
Racing aficionados will likely recognize the name—a tip of the cap to F.A.T. Logistics, the legendary road transport company linked to Porsche. The company also sponsored Porsche race cars in the ‘80s and ‘90s, including the famous 1994 overall winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The racing series went dormant in 1974 after an unlucky snowplow driver went through the ice and unfortunately died. After a 45-year hiatus, Ferdi Porsche felt it was time to bring back the excitement and spectacle for the next generation.
Since the name has “international” right in it, Ferdi decided to bring the European party-with-cars event to the United States. The first year was in Aspen, and since we all know the French are assholes, it is now held in Big Sky, Montana.
Cars raced for time in different classes—everything from vintage, air-cooled Porsches to super-modern Porsches, 4WD race trucks, and dune buggies. The mix of vehicles was as eclectic as the attendees. The overall race winner was a custom 1,000 hp Ford Bronco nicknamed “El Bandito,” but fans had their favorites, including a 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB, a VW Baja Bug with a roof rack and elk antlers strapped on top, and a Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato. There were also some ultra-rare, super-sophisticated, one-off prototypes as well as vintage celebrity cars in attendance.
As impressive as the race and the cars were, there was plenty of visual stimulation in people watching off the track. Imagine a mixologist’s dream cocktail of Harry and Loyd after their infamous Aspen shopping trip, mixed with a Yellowstone vibe, shaken with a Euro nightclub.
The two-day event was over too soon, and the last morning started with an unannounced fly-by of Jared Isaacman’s (current director of NASA and friend of Field Ethos) private MiG fighter jets. The crowd looked up; some in shock, some in awe—all unsure if it was part of the show or a timely escalation with Iran.
And this would be exactly the type of event Iran would target: Americans enjoying themselves, partying, drinking morning mimosas, flaunting their largess, swaddled in real fur coats, and not a hijab in sight in the middle of the most scenic place on earth.
It’s something only Allah could hate.
The post Big Sky Gets F.A.T. appeared first on Field Ethos.
Continue reading...
Everything about the F.A.T. International Ice Race screams opulence and bougieness—Field Ethos’ love language.
How do I describe it? Let’s just start with the basic premise: ship cars from around the world to ogle and display, burn high-octane fuel while racing around a man-made ice track constructed over an elite private golf course in the middle of Montana’s Big Sky country. Sounds intriguing even before factoring in the rest of the party.
Catered iced tables of oysters, snow crab claws, shrimp, and other exotic seafood not pulled from the Madison River. Private helicopter transportation to and from the event. Pouring the flat remnants of champagne over a snow berm before grabbing a fresh bottle off a silver platter. Multiple DJs mix beats throughout the day. All while spectators wear coats that a thousand ermines died to complete. Held in conjunction with a resort community occupied by some of the world’s wealthiest people. Divine decadence.
The Greatest Show on Ice
Welcome to the F.A.T. International Ice Races at Moonlight Basin in Big Sky, Montana, where fans, celebrities, artists, and real racers collide … literally. No shit, I nearly ran into Richard Petty coming out of the VIP tent. Everything about the event’s spirit of excess is maximized when the intent is not only to race but also to party with cars in the dead of the Rocky Mountain winter.
Started in 1952, the race was revived by Ferdi Porsche (great-grandson of Ferdinand Porsche) in 2019, as the F.A.T. International Race. The original ice racing event started on Lake Zell near the town of Zell am See, Austria. It was part motorcycle, part car, part skijoring—I am sure no alcohol was consumed by those being dragged on skis behind a Porsche around a frozen lake. Sounds like our kind of good time. The first 1952 race was dedicated to Ferdinand Porsche, who passed away the year prior and was laid to rest in the town.
Racing aficionados will likely recognize the name—a tip of the cap to F.A.T. Logistics, the legendary road transport company linked to Porsche. The company also sponsored Porsche race cars in the ‘80s and ‘90s, including the famous 1994 overall winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The racing series went dormant in 1974 after an unlucky snowplow driver went through the ice and unfortunately died. After a 45-year hiatus, Ferdi Porsche felt it was time to bring back the excitement and spectacle for the next generation.
Since the name has “international” right in it, Ferdi decided to bring the European party-with-cars event to the United States. The first year was in Aspen, and since we all know the French are assholes, it is now held in Big Sky, Montana.
Ogling & Opulence on the Rocks
Cars raced for time in different classes—everything from vintage, air-cooled Porsches to super-modern Porsches, 4WD race trucks, and dune buggies. The mix of vehicles was as eclectic as the attendees. The overall race winner was a custom 1,000 hp Ford Bronco nicknamed “El Bandito,” but fans had their favorites, including a 1960 Ferrari 250 SWB, a VW Baja Bug with a roof rack and elk antlers strapped on top, and a Lamborghini Huracán Sterrato. There were also some ultra-rare, super-sophisticated, one-off prototypes as well as vintage celebrity cars in attendance.
As impressive as the race and the cars were, there was plenty of visual stimulation in people watching off the track. Imagine a mixologist’s dream cocktail of Harry and Loyd after their infamous Aspen shopping trip, mixed with a Yellowstone vibe, shaken with a Euro nightclub.
The two-day event was over too soon, and the last morning started with an unannounced fly-by of Jared Isaacman’s (current director of NASA and friend of Field Ethos) private MiG fighter jets. The crowd looked up; some in shock, some in awe—all unsure if it was part of the show or a timely escalation with Iran.
And this would be exactly the type of event Iran would target: Americans enjoying themselves, partying, drinking morning mimosas, flaunting their largess, swaddled in real fur coats, and not a hijab in sight in the middle of the most scenic place on earth.
It’s something only Allah could hate.
The post Big Sky Gets F.A.T. appeared first on Field Ethos.
Continue reading...
