UPDATE:
Unfortunately do to some environmental concerns and political red-tape were able to obtain the required permitting from NYS to host the rapids race in Rochester. However, Bite Pro/Am is switching it up to another location with an added feature of a closed circuit of a downstream off-shoot path called “Riders Choice” on the Great Sacandaga River.
NEW LOCATION AND DATE:
Saturday, May 3rd on the upper Sacandaga River in Benson, NY. Those who have ridden this section of whitewater will attest, it’s a great run!
______________________________
As the new year rolls around, so do the event announcements! Here’s the latest from Region 8, The Bite Pro/Am Components Whitewater Vertical Shootout. The one day event will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014, and is something that should not be missed as it’s the first of it’s kind: an IJSBA sanctioned whitewater rapids race.
Sounds crazy, right? Well, there will be more details to come, but here is a quick lowdown:
Presented by BITE Pro/Am Components, Hot Products, Hydro-Turf, WSM, Rad Dudes, Impros, NEWA Racing, WetWerx, CT Watercraft, ESI Powersports, NYNJA and Rony Rawk Racing, the Whitewater Vertical Shootout is IJSBA and NEWA sanctioned and will be a NEWA bonus round. Final standing points, based upon your timed run will count towards overall Region 8 jet ski tour points for the 2014 closed-course race season.
The race will be executed on a controlled environment man-made facility located at Genesee Waterways Center. It is a facility designed for entry level whitewater kayak training and practice. The waterway source of water is constant and consistent. Therefore, no concerns of flow, or lack there of.
The waterway consists of multiple staged drops, 20-foot total elevation and is 600 feet long. We will post the flow rate, depths and overall course required gate placement when 100-percent sure the figures are accurate. Although the concept sounds intimidating, this particular waterway is honestly not as violent as you may imagine. Those who have ridden rapids before will find the descent entertaining rather than dangerously exciting. The drop off sections are no higher than two feet.
Racers will compete for the best descent time in their respective classes. Every racer in each class will get three runs down – your best time is your score. Classes are as follows: Pro/Am, Ski Stock Spec, Ski Open, Sport Spec, Sport Open, X2 800 Spec, X2 Open and Runabout Open (runabout class will be limited to 1200cc two person capacity 2-strokes and Sea-Doo Sparks).
“Descend & Ascend: Run What Ya Brung” Master-class will be open to any of the aforementioned eligible skis. Those who dare will get three runs up and down the waterway. Best time is your score.
The awards ceremony will be held at the host hotel in a banquet room the same evening of the races. Top three racers in each class will receive trophies. All entrants will receive participation decals and a “swag bag” of promotional goodies from our sponsors. Registration is on-site the day-of only, but please feel free to post on forums, message boards, Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere to spread the word that you are attending this groundbreaking event.
The original press release:
Presented by:
Hot Products
Hydro-Turf
WSM
Rad Dudes
Impros
NEWA Racing
WetWerx
CT Watercraft
ESI Powersports
NYNJA
Rony Rawk Racing
Monster Energy Drink
Although the concept sounds intimidating, this particular waterway is honestly not as violent as you may imagine. Those who have ridden rapids before will find the decent entertaining rather than dangerously exciting. The drop off sections are no higher than a foot.
Racers will compete for the best decent time in their respective classes. Every racer in each class will get three runs down – your best time is your score. Class structures are as follows;
Pro/Am
Ski Limited Spec
Sport Spec
X2 800 Spec
Runabout Open
An awards ceremony will be held at a local restaurant the same evening of the races – top three racers in each class will receive trophies.
Registration is ON-SITE only.
There are active threads in many PWC forums for discussion and questions.
Further information: ESI Powersports 518-631-6377
Set your GPS to address ” 4272 Rte 30 Benson, NY. 12134 ” , you will have been driving northbound – continue driving northbound 1,000 yards .. you will then see orange road construction barrels which will be place on the left hand side of Rte 30 – turn left at the barrels onto the riverbank access road.
Address:
4272 Rte 30. (Benson Bridge)
Benson, NY. 12134
There will be signs directing to the staging area.
You may ” trailer camp ” – but NO tents !
Closest hotel is about 5 miles away from the venue, in the small full service town of Northville.
The only other options are about twenty minutes from the venue ;
Super 8
Microtel
Holiday Inn
Any questions, please post them here. Many event coordinators will be at the site Friday and hope to have a welcome race community camp fire social that evening.
Special thanks to Scott Frazier from the IJSBA for his unwavering support !
BITE PRO/AM Facebook Event page.
