On April 23, The Watercraft Journal reported that IJSBA was seeking racer comments regarding a proposed rule change that would impact the ignition provision of the Sport Spec class.
At that time, IJSBA Executive Director Scott Frazier commented that “A considerable amount of correspondence has been received over the last two weeks requesting that a specific section of the rules is reviewed due to the outdated language allowing modern product technology to push performance levels well beyond what was anticipated by the creation of the class. Specifically, allowing an aftermarket ignition module that does not restrict the timing curve.”
Frazier opened a comment period for interested racers and others to submit comments on the proposed rule adjustment, with a closing date of April 28.
Moving quickly to finalize any rule change, Frazier posted on May 2 that a rule change will go into effect for IJSBA on Monday, June 30, that will restrict the aftermarket ignition used when 760 cylinders are affixed to a Yamaha watercraft in Sport Spec. Frazier noted that individual promoters may implement the rule change prior to the June 30 date, at their discretion.
While mid-season changes in rules can cause complications, and are therefore typically avoided by most sanctioning bodies in all sports, exceptions are made, in most sports, for safety reasons and/or to address concerns of equitable and impartial rules, scoring or regulations.
As stated by leadership with East Coast Watercross, “The racing community saw a problem, voiced the opinion to the right people and changes were made in record time! The amount of time and effort that went into a mid season rule change like this was staggering! and ill be happy to do it again if its the right move to make to keep the playing field fair especially in a class like Sport Spec that has been and will continue to be a driving force in Region 8 racing! Thanks to everyone who helped contribute opinions and data to get us to this point!! Thank you to the IJSBA and Scott for taking the time to make this happen in a timely manner!”
Read more details about the rule change and the process taken to arrive at the new rule in the full press release, posted below:
IJSBA is alerting competitors in the Sport Spec class of racing that a change is pending to the ignition provision in this category of rules. Based on public input, the rules will be changed to restrict the aftermarket ignition used when 760 cylinders are affixed to a Yamaha watercraft in Sport Spec. This ruling is in full effect sixty days from today and may be implemented sooner by each promoter as they see fit for their market. Please read the information below for complete details.
Background: Sport Spec is a community created class of competition which was added to the IJSBA Rule Book more than ten years ago. Since the inception of the class, Yamaha watercraft were allowed aftermarket ignition in the Sport Spec Class: “units may be modified or aftermarket provided ignition timing is not manually adjustable.” An aftermarket ignition, per IJSBA rules, is defined :” A part replacing or used in addition to the original equipment part. Aftermarket parts are not limited to providing the same function as their original equipment counterparts.” Therefore, an aftermarket ignition could use any ignition curve so long as the curve could not be changed manually by the end user. Indeed, the MSD Enhancer product had been widely used which did not maintain the OEM curve and was not programable. The MSD Enhancer is only available with one specific timing curve and cannot be ordered customized.
In 2024, IJSBA allowed the Yamaha watercraft to utilize 760 Cylinders. IJSBA intended to ensure there was a distinction between ignition provisions for Yamaha with 760 Cylinders than for those that retained the 701 cylinders. The ruling allowed Yamaha with 701 cylinders to utilize an ignition that was programable by the end user while those with the 760 cylinders could not: “Yamaha units which do not have 760 cylinders may use an IJSBA approved programable ignition so long as charging features are maintained.” This ruling created a situation where an individual could simply buy several ignitions, preprogramed for different curves each, and swap them out.
As the 2025 competition season got underway, numerous concerns were brought to IJSBA that the situation of now being able to order any curve was creating a situation that, essentially, made no difference whether an end user could program the ignition if they had the ability to buy multiple ignitions. Additionally, the timing curves being introduced into the Sport Spec category were outside of the parameters that could have been expected when the original rules about programable ignitions were created due to the products on the market at the time. The issue seemed to narrow on controlling the timing curve. IJSBA sent inquiries to several engineers, tuners, builders, and seasoned technical inspectors regarding the ability to check timing curves at events and the reply was nearly unanimous that such an attempt would result in a disaster. With the complaints coming in, rapidly, over concerns about the class rapidly advancing to require expensive race fuel, IJSBA sent this problem to the community to be the dominant part of the solution to this problem.
Voting: IJSBA requested an advisory vote from the Sport Spec committee. The vote was to select one of the three following options for Waveblasters equipped with 760 Cylinders:
- Only allow the OEM CDI or a know OEM Replica CDI.
- Allow only the MSD Enhancer as an aftermarket ignition provision.
- Continue to allow the Zeeltronics ignition that is not end user reprogrammable.
Exactly 25 persons submitted advisory votes to IJSBA. Option 1 received five votes. Option 2 received 12 votes. Option 3 received 8 votes. Votes to restrict the Zeeltronic to only 701 cylinder platforms were greater than 2:1. Votes to keep the MSD as an option for 760 cylinder platforms was also greater than 2:1 against only allowing OEM CDI.
Outcome: IJSBA is accepting this advisory vote from the Sport Spec community and will modify the IJSBA Rule Book’s Sport Spec section to read that “IJSBA shall allow approved aftermarket ignitions for Yamaha Watercraft equipped with 760 Cylinders and, at this time of this publication, the only allowable aftermarket ignition is the MSD Enhancer as furnished by the manufacturer.”
IJSBA will enforce the new version of Sport Spec Rules at the 2025 World Finals and will require IJSBA Sanctioned Promoters to adhere to this new rule beginning 60 days from today’s date: May 1, 2025. IJSBA Sanctioned Promoters are free to enforce this new provision at any time but recommends that each promoter provide a 21 day notice prior to enforcement.
Please note that it is unusual for IJSBA to make a mid season rule change. However, Sport Spec being a community class, IJSBA will give deference to the community who has the primary drive and investment in this category of racing and has, generally, the best understanding of the direction the class needs to go.
Questions or comments regarding this bulletin may be submitted to IJSBA by emailing [email protected].
