The personal watercraft industry’s longest continual race (which also might have the longest continual title), 11th Annual Hot Products IJSBA Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 is now officially taking entries for its February 28th, 2015 race date. Presented by Yamaha, the “Mark Hahn 300” as it’s commonly referred, welcomes racers from across the globe to compete in a truly unique format, as competitors race down the shore of Lake Havasu City’s Crazy Horse Resort, in a “LeMans’ style” start to their skis in the water.
Climbing aboard as fast as possible, racers streak around a 10-mile lap around much of Lake Havasu, even crossing over the state line into California, before racing back for another lap. Living up to its namesake, racers will need to perform several pit stops throughout the 300-mile endurance race (or 5-hour duration, which ever comes first), removing their watercraft completely out of the water, up the beach to refuel before launching back in again. Although riders are allowed to “ironman” the event, teams of 3 persons for standup skis, and 2 persons for runabouts are permitted.
Although it might sound easily done on paper, the execution of a successful Mark Hahn 300 race depends much on the strength, training and endurance of the racer, the reliability of the ski, the execution of a successful (and spill-free) pit stop, and of course, the weather. In its 11 years, the Mark Hahn Memorial has witnessed a full array of weather, from whipping winds and stinging rain, to glassy calm waters and cloudless blue skies. It’s almost a complete toss up, and racers best be prepared to battle with either (or anything in between).
Below we’ve included two official documents, the official release announcing the return of Hot Products as a title sponsor, and the official race entry information with many of the pertinent rules necessary to be eligible to compete. Entry forms can be downloaded HERE:
11th Annual Hot Products IJSBA Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 Presented by YAMAHA
Set for February 28, 2015 in Lake Havasu, Arizona
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CA – July 22, 2014: The date for The Eleventh Annual “World’s Longest Continuous PWC Race” was announced today by the event promoter Jim Russell, DSM Events owner, and Executive producer Mike Follmer. The 2015 Hot Products IJSBA Mark Hahn Memorial Presented by Yamaha Havasu 300 mile National Team Endurance Race is all set to launch on February 28, 2015 from Crazy Horse Campground in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The event will once again be sanctioned by the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA), and it is expected to draw a record number teams from around the globe as well as all of the top PWC racers from the US. The Teams will be competing against each other while trying to break the 300 mile record of 4 hours 31 minutes 24 seconds set by the 2014 Mark Hahn Memorial Overall winner Craig Warner Monster Energy Team Kawasaki.
The race is being held again in the memory of endurance racer Mark Hahn who was instrumental in providing the momentum to keep endurance racing going strong and growing across the country before his untimely death during a PWC race in 2004. The “Team” format features two riders for runabout (sit down) boat teams and up to three riders for a stand-up craft. Solo riders are also welcome to “Ironman” the race on either style of boat, a real test of endurance and stamina reserved for only the true endurance zealots. The 2011 event was the second PWC event to use transponders in the United States and it was well received and helped to increase the professionalism of this national event. Transponders will be used in the 2015 event as well.
“The race is returning to Crazy Horse Campground’s Main Beach site for this very important event”, said Jim Russell, “and the 10 mile course we have approval from the Coast Guard will pit all the teams against the wind, rough water and long runs that this event has become synonymous with.” In addition to all the weather and water conditions all the teams have to contend with, they will also be required to make fuel stops, without spilling fuel, and make rider changes several times during the race, while modifying their race strategies as the race progresses. There will be six different classes competing on the race course simultaneously, with all the racers competing for the overall title. At the conclusion of the race, each class winning team will be crowned the IJSBA National Team Endurance Champion for their respective class. A first-class awards program with sit down dinner will once again be held at the Aquatic center Rods and Recs room.
After the gigantic success and worldwide recognition received in live Internet and press of the 2014 Mark Hahn Memorial, it is expected that a record number of US and International entries will come out for the 11th annual event. Mike Follmer said, “We’re gearing up to make the 2015 event outshine what we did for the 10th annual event in 2014 by getting more giveaways and even nicer trophies for the massive awards banquet at the Aquatic center that will far surpass what we did in 2014. We have on the water still photography and internet magazine coverage to chronicle the event for the riders. The awards banquet will feature a sit down dinner for over 300 plus people and over 60 award trophies to be presented to overall and class winners with a host of special awards that will again surprise their worthy recipients.”
We are very fortunate to have Hot Products USA return as the title sponsor and our presenting sponsor Yamaha for the 2015 event as well as many other great sponsors that have helped support this exciting event. All of the pre-race attention and planning for the 2015 IJSBA Hot Products Mark Hahn Memorial Presented by Yamaha will guarantee that it will far surpass the previous years which have been heralded by many as the “Best PWC Offshore race of the year”! Get your teams together and your entry in early to make sure you don’t miss out on this great experience.
Entry forms and entry information sheets will be released soon for the February 28th event. Entry forms, race information, updates will be posted on the Mark Hahn web site at: www.pwcfun.com/markhahn300.asp, www.pwctoday.com, and www.pwcoffshore.com.
Mark Hahn Memorial Race Entry Information
This race is an IJSBA Sanctioned event and as such, ALL riders MUST be IJSBA Racing Members and you will need to enter the class that your IJSBA card shows VERY IMPORTANT. If your card says PRO then you must run the Pro/Am class. If you are not now but want to become an IJSBA Racing Member go online at www.ijsba.com. You may also do this at registration on Friday. Please consult the event rules for more information.
The Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 Team Race is a stand-alone event to honor our fallen friend Mark Hahn. It is not part of the annual point races and therefore there will be (six) classes only, as listed on the entry form. There is a transponder rental fee of $30.00 that will be paid at registration to E TimeIt. All transponders need to be returned after the race – if they are not returned you will be charged $250.00.
Get your team set and your entry in early to avoid the $50.00 late fee which will be levied if your paid entry is not received by DSM by February 15.. No entries will be accepted on race day. DSM will accept VISA, MASTERCARD or a check for the early entry fee to make payment very easy. If anyone has a problem with this entry system or wants to make special arrangements, please contact Jim Russell at DSM immediately at (928) 764-2210, in an effort to limit the confusion on race day and insure that the race gets started exactly on time.
All entrants MUST have eight inch (8”) black number(s) on a white background to be scored. Numbers will NOT be available at the race site on race day, nor may you enter on race day. Each entry includes two (2) dinner bands, which are REQUIRED to gain entrance to the awards ceremony and dinner. Additional dinner bands can be purchased on the entry form or at the door. Tech and sign in will be on Friday Feb 27 at Havasu Powersports between 1.00 and 7 PM, located at 1040 Lake Havasu Blvd phone (928) 453-1610. All times are Arizona.
Awards will be for First through Tenth in the Overall order and First through Third in each Class. The awards are really special for this event.
The Awards Ceremony will be held at the Aquatic Center. Doors will open at 6:30 PM, with the ceremony beginning at 7:30 PM. NO ONE WILL GET IN WITHOUT A DINNER BAND.
[…] races, as well as one of the most honored events to have risen out of the past two decades – the Mark Hahn Memorial Havasu 300 – is partnering with possibly one of the most grueling offshore endurance events we’ve […]