It’s been unusually quiet on the IJSBA website newsfeed lately – usually at this time of year, I’ll see news releases pop up on their website on a fairly regular basis, but for several weeks now – since early March actually – its been a case of “all quiet on the western (Arizona) front.”
That changed today though, as a press release from IJSBA Executive Director Scott Frazier not only broke the silence, but rustled up some spirited conversations as the news was punted around Facebook a time or two.
According to Frazier’s post, IJSBA is looking for comments from the public at large about a proposed change to the Sport Spec rules.
“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has been received over the last two weeks requesting that a specific section of the rules is reviewed due to the outdated language allowing modern product technology to push performance levels well beyond what was anticipated by the creation of the class,” Frazier stated. “Specifically, allowing an aftermarket ignition module that does not restrict the timing curve.”
Frazier has allowed a limited time for input from racers and other interested parties, with the deadline for comments set for next Monday, April 28, at noon (PST). Comments should be submitted to nfo@ijsba.com.
You can read the full release from IJSBA below:
IJSBA is soliciting public comment on a potential amendment to the Sport Spec rules. 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has been received over the last two weeks requesting that a specific section of the rules is reviewed due to the outdated language allowing modern product technology to push performance levels well beyond what was anticipated by the creation of the class.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.
Sport Spec rules have long allowed an aftermarket ignition to be used on Yamaha watercraft subject to the restriction that the ignition system could be manually programable. However, even where the ignition could not be manually programable, the rules did not require the ignition timing curve to be the same curve as was offered on the OEM watercraft. Modern aftermarket ignitions can come with a variety of aggressive curves. Community commentary has expressed, so far, a very heavy opinion that ignition timing curves be restricted on Yamaha. Technical inspectors have commented that checking timing at post race impound would likely be a burden that bordered on disastrous.
The bulk of the public commentary expresses that it is necessary to restrict the aftermarket ignition parameters when a Yamaha watercraft utilizes 760 cylinders in the Sport Spec class. Research determines that this can only be achieved by allowing a limited assortment of options. Most specifically, commentators tend to state that the OEM 701 CDI, or a unit paired with an MSD Enhancer, is as aggressive of a timing curve that should be allowed if the goal is to avoid checking timing in impound. This is because neither the OEM CDI or the Enhancer will produce a curve outside of the expected parameters.
Please send public comment on this matter to info@ijsba.com. Public comment will close on 4/28/25 at 12:00 Noon PST.
