There are some lines from cinema that become so ubiquitous that they come instantly to mind when specific subjects are even remotely mentioned.
One such line, without a doubt, is Lt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s iconic “I feel the need… the need for speed!,” and there are very few places that quote is more apropos and apt than in a discussion about the annual PWC HydroDrag races.
As announced at the end of February, the 2025 HydroDrags, will take place on April 5-6 at the Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park – Sunset Cove Amphitheater.
Fuel Tech, which stood as the title sponsor of last year’s season of record-breaking performances, is once again the title sponsor for the annual HydroDrags.
With world record speeds reached at several of the most recent HydroDrag events, there has already been plenty of hype and excitement for the April opening of the 2025 HydroDrag season, but an announcement yesterday by HydroDrag’s leadman, Billy Tew, is sure to expand the draw and multiply the excitement.
In a post to social media, Tew announced a new class for the 2025 races, stating, “Turbo No Nitrous Drag Class: With less than Two Weeks away we are allowing Anysize turbo and Manifolds because skis are set up already. No Nitrous, No Split/gutted Hulls, must retain Oem Tank. SPEED Ally Turbo No Nitrous will be only allowed Any turbo up to a 68mm Front Housing. Manifolds allowed. No split /Gutted Hulls,No Nitrous, must retain Oem Fuel tank. You may use Seadoo power plant in Yamaha Hull or Yamaha Powerplant in Seadoo Hull. We will reevaluate after this first race any changes that will be made.”
The Watercraft Journal caught up with Tew just hours after the announcement, asking if the new class was expected to bring new racers into the highly-competitive HydroDrag arena.
“Well, I opened up a new class with a turbo no nitrous so it opened up many new racers coming for the last event and it’s only gonna get bigger. We’re looking to bring those recreational guys in. They don’t have the big money for the drag set ups,” Tew said.
With the new class opening up HydroDrag racing and making it more accessible, WCJ asked Tew what steps anyone looking to join this sector of PWC racing needed to take. He said that racers age 14 and up can race with a waiver, and be part of five categories, including Pro-Stock ,Pro -Spec, Superstock, Unlimited, and the newest class turbo no nitrous. He recommended that both new racers, and returning racers, be sure to check out the HydrDrags website for more information on rules and regulations for each class, as well as information on the April race as well as the Nov. 22-23 event.
According to website: If you crave an exhilarating, fast-paced racing adventure, Jet Ski hydrodrag racing is the perfect choice. This thrilling activity involves competing Jet Ski watercrafts in a high-speed sprint to the finish line, with speeds hitting up to 142 mph! What makes Jet Ski hydrodrag racing particularly appealing is its inclusivity. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or a newcomer, there’s a category suited to your skill level. With classes ranging from novice to professional, everyone can find their place in the excitement.
The event features the World’s fastest PWC Drag Racers, that come from all over the USA and beyond! This event has produced World Speed Records in every Class, including Jose Luis with 142mph beating his 135mph personal best in the Unlimited Class. The Stock and Spec Classes and our newest class Turbo No Nitrous are featured on Saturday, and the Superstock and Unlimited Classes and Speed Allyare featured on Sunday. There will be food available on site, and other industry vendors. VIP Parking will e available on site for $20 for the weekend or there is plenty of free parking around the Venue .
“With world record speeds over 142 miles an hour on a PWC is an experience that you don’t wanna miss out on,” Tew added.
And speaking of world records, here’s a rundown of the skyrocketing top speeds since WCJ began covering the HdyroDrags more than a decade ago.
2014
While there was no shortage of trash talk and money being exchanged between drag racers, the big talk was who was going to beat the standing record of 106mph in the Speed Alley. The record has stood for a good while now and quite frankly, folks were getting antsy for a new champion.
Aboard a CRT-built “GPRXP”, Miami, Florida’s Maikel Gonzalez not only broke the record, but outright shattered it with two back-to-back world-dominating passes. Titled “Blue Zone,” Maikel’s GPRXP was anticipated to surpass the standing record, but not like this…
In his first pass in the RIVA Racing Speed Alley Hydro Unlimited class, Maikel tipped the GPS’ and radar gun at 108 miles per hour! If leaping past the standing record was a fluke, Maikel made his second – and most amazing – attempt, firing off an astounding 112 miles per hour.
2016
It’s hard to argue with photographic (and video) evidence; and although the pass was made during an exhibition run after this weekend’s Hydro-Turf Surf & Turf HydroDrags in Polk City, Florida came to a close, Rey Sanchez’s incredible 114 mile per hour run aboard his heavily-modified Yamaha SVHO-powered GPR – named “Boosted Demon” – is easily the coolest thing you’ll see all day.
2017
It was a record-breaking event raising top speeds even higher and breaking the barrier of 120MPH! Congratulations to “The Golden Girl” Angelica Gonzalez for taking home three first places and to her excellent team at Jim’s Performance and family members who are always supporting her; Uva Perez showing the world the unbelievable speeds of 123.2MPH (and we believe he has more in it); Hector Alvarez for breaking the supercharger world record by 106.1MPH – outstanding job! Thank you all the staff members for the excellent work out there, and see you all in November.
2020
It was the shot heard around the world; the fastest personal watercraft record had been broken. Not just broken, but wholly smashed and ground into fine dust. A heavily tuned, but surprisingly stock (at least pertaining to the hull and deck) Yamaha GP1800R built by Brian Kirchberger and piloted by Jose Hernandez had hit 135 miles per hour. The Watercraft Journal had an opportunity to sit down with Fizzle Factory’s James Blanch, who played a major role in this project’s development, to get an inside look at how this world record-holding machine came to be.
2023
Just in case you ad taken a break from all social media for the last couple of weeks, Jose Luis from BK Built absolutely decimated his own standing world record of 135mph set over three years ago with a blistering new all-time top speed of 142 miles per hour aboard a 1,400-plus horsepower turbocharged Yamaha GP1800R SVHO.
Achieved early Saturday morning, October 14th during the most recent HydroDrags at Lions Park in Lake Alfred, Florida; Luis and the BK Built team absolutely shook the crowd with the record-breaking pass. Instantly, rival teams protested the speed run citing a malfunctioning GPS. Only recently did event officials overturn the initial decision to not count Luis’ run.
2024
The HydroDrags ‘24, presented by FuelTech, may have ended nearly a month ago, but talk of the event – with its slew of world records and jaw-dropping 141 MPH run – with no nitrous – is still turning up the excitement in the world of Watersports.
The 141 MPH run, sans-nitrous, was accomplished by Cuco Performance, riding in place of Jose Hernandez on his Yamaha GP1800R Jet Ski managed by FuelTech’s FT550 ECU. In addition Cuco Performance’s record-setting run, FuelTech also played a part in performances that took 1st-3rd in Pro Stock, Pro Speck, Unlimited, and Super Stock classes.
