Timing is a funny thing. Within literally hours of the official release of Kawasaki’s 2017 SX-R, the International Jet Sport Boating Association (IJSBA) made a release that many standup racers found at the least bit, a little conspicuous; that being that over the proceeding two years, the Hydrospace S4 and Polaris Octane will no longer be eligible for participation in Ski Stock and Limited classes.
Obviously, this was met with some curiosity if not outright displeasure as this move only narrows the field of competitive vehicles to participate in these growing classes; consequently prodding several vociferous forum members to question what exactly the sanctioning body has in store for the lauded standup’s return. Nevertheless, the IJSBA has yet to homologate the ’17 SX-R, so there’s nothing to give credibility to the conspiracy theory. Maybe we just like drumming up drama on a slow news day.
Here’s the original press release:
IJSBA is giving notice that some previously homologated Personal Watercraft shall have their eligibility restricted effective December 31, 2016.
Beginning January 1, 2017 the following units will no longer be eligible for Ski Stock Classes:
Polaris Octane
Hydrospace S4
Hydrospace/Benelli S8
Beginning January 1, 2017 the following units will no longer be eligible for Ski Limited Classes:
Polaris Octane
Hydrospace/Benelli S8
Beginning January 1, 2018 the following units will no longer be eligible for Ski Limited Classes:
Hydrospace S4
Hydrospace S4 and Polaris Octane PWC will remain eligible for Ski Modified categories.
For questions regarding this notice, please email [email protected].
