The first thing on the short list from the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) is that the sport will be included in the 2018 Asian Games. The Games offer a lot of prestige and it is an honor for sanctioned PWC racing to be included in this event because Personal Watercraft racing is the first motorsport to be introduced in the Asian Games.
The second item on the IJSBA’s list is restructuring classes of the Ski classes. The IJSBA is planning to make two completely different ways for a PWC athlete to compete in their sanctioned events. The first way to get into events is by using the Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM, in which the focus lies on stock skis and the Lites classes. Lites are huge in the racing industry so that category will stick around. The new Ski Stock Class is all about skis that are only tuned to a riders preference. They will pretty much come from showroom to the water. The Limited Class will slowly disappear and be replaced a Mod Lites division. These skis will have only slight modifications.
The issue of speed control has also been brought to the forefront of racing. This will help achieve track changes, like making more room for skis and less opportunity for possible collisions to be used as the only reason to slow down. The IJSBA is also taking into account the number of riders falling from skis and the more serious injuries that have occurred as a result of higher speeds. This is a tough one because many riders like to go as fast as they can so there has to be compromise.
The third item on the short list is a slight change for Runabouts and Sparks. The suggestion of utilizing aftermarket waterboxes was brought up for discussion in the Limited Class. This change would make it easier to work on the PWC. Another change is to allow a harder bottom on the Runabout 1100 Superstock.
The final item is an update on homologation. The IJSBA is currently awaiting manufacturing data to come in from Kawasaki on the new SX-R, the Yamaha EX Line, and the GP1800 machines. The approval of the boats is expected to occur before the Mark Hahn 300 on February 12. For more than a summary of the IJSBA update, check out this link.
