Completing a process that began at the start of December 2024, IJSBA has announced the approved rule changes that will be in effect for the 2025 season.
At the same time, IJSBA Executive Director Scott Frazier noted that, in addition to voting on proposed rule changes, the IJSBA Board of Directors, at the Jan. 15 meeting, approved several internal policies, including placing a priority on keeping World Finals at Lake Havasu City as well as revamping affiliate programs in Europe, expanding communication efforts with US regional organizers, and an emphasis on sustainable economic models for the future.
Included in the Jan. 16 posting of the adopted rule changes was an invite for individuals to submit questions or comments regarding the final rule changes, and a note that the announced rule changes would be added to the online rule book today, Jan 22 – seven days after the initial post.
Following are voting results for each of the proposed rule changes, as reported by Frazier:
PROMOTER PARTICIPATION EXCLUSION
Proposed Rule: IJSBA will modify the promoter participation exclusion. This will allow promoters, and their children, to participate in IJSBA Sanctioned events. IJSBA will require that there is a backup race director for the entire event if it is the promoter participating and that this designated race director will be the active director anytime a promoter or a promoter’s family is in a heat and this substitute director will take over if the promoter becomes incapacitated or unavailable to continue to the race management for the event. The race director decisions for any heat/class/etc. where the promoter participates are appealable to IJSBA for review.
Result: Passed – IJSBA will prepare a draft policy with USA Regional Promoters which will be published after advisory comments from the organizer.
AFTERMARKET HULL PROVISIONS
Proposed Rule: IJSBA will work with the homologated hull manufacturers to (allow? sic) changes to allowances in aftermarket hull provisions. This includes approaching such topics such as lengths, lengths of pumps, handling features on the upper deck, etc.
Results: IJSBA will convene the participants in the aftermarket hull homologation program to begin identifying features on the upper deck which are intended to affect handling and explore joint resolutions for potential regulation.
INTAKE GRATE – FREESTYLE
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA redefine any parameters of the intake grate for use in Freestyle competition:
Result: IJSBA shall emphasize that an intake grate is required for Freestyle competition.
RESTRICTOR PLATE (JR CLASS 1500CC-BASED SKI)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA remove the requirement for a restrictor plate for 1500cc based Ski in Junior classes?
Result: Did not pass – Restrictor plates will remain a requirement for Junior Classes where a 1500 CC displacement is permitted.
SWAPPING OF OEM CAMSHAFTS
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA clarify, restrict, or expand any provisions for swapping of OEM camshafts between OEM units?
Result: While keeping in place IJSBA’s general rule for allowing interchanging camshafts between the same models of different horsepower ratings, IJSBA will explore the possibility of publishing a compatibility chart.
ADDITIONAL TUBING AND VENTILATION
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA clarify whether additional tubing and ventilation is allowed or not, in addition to the OEM ventilation tubes?
Result: IJSBA will emphasize that the goal is no additional ventilation where ventilation is restricted and examine rule languages to ensure this goal is being met.
AFTERMARKET IMPELLERS
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA restrict aftermarket impellers to single type impellers instead of allowing for dual type impellers?
Result: Did not pass
FORMULA NATURALLY ASPIRATED RULES
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA publish the Formula Naturally Aspirated rules as a specific class set of rules?
Result: Passed – This will be published for peer review in seven days.
SKI GP BOOST LIMITS
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA remove boost limits in Ski GP?
Result: Mixed outcome – Boost limits shall stay in place. All displacements up to 1100cc will be allowed a boost range for 2025 from 12 psi to 14 psi with 2025 opening at 12 psi with the initial range being 12 psi with a one pound tolerance. Mechanical boost regulation will stay in place while electronic boost regulators are studied. IJSBA will publish any changes 30 days prior to World Finals.
ELECTRONIC/MECHANICAL BOOST CONTRO
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA allow electronic boost control as an alternative to mechanical boost control?
Result: Electronic boost control may be implemented once researched and found to be a fit for IJSBA’s goals of boost regulation.
RUNABOUT 1100 CLASS
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA change Runabout 1100 Open to Runabout 1100 GP?
Result: Did not pass
EXPERT SKI CLASS
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA eliminate Expert Ski GP and replace the category with Expert Ski Modified instead of running both classes?
Result: Did not pass
TIMING GEARS (STOCK/MODIFIED RULES)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA clarify Stock and Modified rules to specifically allow for timing gears to be installed on camshafts?
Result: Passed – Camshafts which are not slotted for timing change may add a gear to allow for easier timing change.
AFTERMARKET FUEL TANKS (SKI MODIFIED CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA allow aftermarket fuel tanks in Ski Modified class?
Result: Highly scrutinized aftermarket fuel tanks, which have received USCG approval, and are openly available on the market for sale may be submitted to IJSBA for approval. Fuel tanks from homologated OEM watercraft are preferred.
AFTERMARKET PUMPS (SKI MODIFIED CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA allow for any aftermarket pump to be used in Ski Modified?
Result: There will be no change to this rule. IJSBA has not had any propulsion pump submitted for approval other than the Solas model. Pump manufacturers are welcome to submit pumps for approval.
MODIFICATIONS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SKI
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA change Rules VSK 2.2 to allow modifications to the bottom of the ski, as long as it stays within the original length (front to back) and width (left to right)?
Result: Did not pass
TRADITIONAL SPONSONS/TUBBIES (VINTAGE SKI CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA change the wording of Vintage Ski Rule SK 2.4 to allow for one set of traditional sponsons and one set of tubbies indicating left and right of each system?
Result: Passed – Additional sponson rule will be published.
SIGNALS PERTAINING TO CDI AND FUEL INJECTIONS (VINTAGE SKI CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA change wording in Vintage Ski Rules VSK 4.3 and VSK 5.2. VSK 4.3 to eliminate conflicts for signals pertaining to CDI and fuel injections?
Result: IJSBA could not identify language conflicts preventing aftermarket fuel injections from being used in Vintage Ski.
TITANIUM ALLOWED (VINTAGE SKI CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA change wording in Vintage Ski Rule VSK 6.1. to allow for titanium?
Result: Passed
LENGTH OF PUMP AND NOZZLE ASSEMBLY (VINTAGE SKI CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA clarify Vintage Ski Rule VSK 6.1 is regarding ‘the overall length of a complete pump and nozzle assembly. This is to account for the fact 750 pumps don’t have a shoe as part of the assembly while the 550 does. The rule clarification is for the allowance of additional length compared to the stock length of the “complete pump assembly.
Result: Passed
AFTERMARKET HOOD (XPL HULL LIMITED CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA allow Sea-Doo 1998 XP (a.k.a. XPL Hull) watercraft to utilize an aftermarket hood in Limited Classes where Two Stroke Runabout are allowed?
Result: Did not pass
BOOST PRESSURE CHECKING DEVICE (SKI/SPORT GP CLASSES)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA mandate what brand and models of the device to use for checking boost pressure so everyone will have the same reading in Ski GP, and Sport GP classes?
Result: Postponed – This will be revisited once electronic boost solutions can be identified and developed.
AFTERMARKET RODS AND PISTONS (RUNABOUT SUPERSTOCK CLASS)
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA print clarification in the Runabout Superstock Class to clearly and specifically indicate the allowance of aftermarket rods and pistons?
Result: Passed
IMPEDE OF PROGRESS RULE
Proposed Rule: Shall IJSBA implement the impede of progress rule as presented online?
Result: IJSBA shall develop race director guidelines which will take into account this suggestion. This will be a work in progress.