OK, OK. We can squeeze in just one more race season schedule announcement this week, right? Never to be left out, TXH2O in the great Republic of Texas has just announced its (albeit brief) three race series for this summer. Beginning in Baytown, Texas in May, the series continues to Somerville in June, and to Tulsa, Oklahoma for its final round. And as an IJSBA sanctioned series, all points accrued go towards your IJSBA National Title and entry into the World Finals in Lake Havasu, Arizona.
Here’s the original press release: TXH2ORacing is pleased to announce our second season! We had a marvelous turnout of new and seasoned racers during the 2016 season and look forward to further growing the sport in 2017. We have a couple of new locations for our 2017 season as we were unable (due to flooding) to maintain Somerville on our 2016 schedule and we are excited that it has recovered and we are able to place it on this season’s schedule as well as the new location of Keystone Lake. The Keystone Lake location is a joint effort of multiple regions teaming up as we are hosting this race in a team effort with Nautiwater Racing out of Kansas.
We are particularly excited about Keystone Lake since to our knowledge, there has not been a personal watercraft race held there and this race would be the inaugural race on that lake. However, our excitement about this season doesn’t end there as we are working on several sponsorship opportunities and already have Yamaha as one of our race sponsors.
We are adding a couple of regional class offerings this season which includes a vintage open class and junior sport spec. This is going to be an amazing season and as always, we at TXH2ORacing, make a determined effort to provide a class for any watercraft and keep our races family friendly and drama free. We hope to see all of you this season.
For more information, please visit www.txh2oracing.com
You didn’t think we were done announcing more races scheduled for this year, did you? Don’t be ridiculous, Cousin Larry! (Ha! Timely reference!) With just a few weeks away, the third Annual Gary Hart Memorial closed course race, brought to you by Jetttribe, is primed to kick off this season on the West Coast. Besides being the opener for the Southwest Region, it’ll also be a major first for Closed Course racing as it will welcome the 2017 Kawasaki SX-R and Yamaha EX product lines. Here’s the entire original press release:
It’s almost that time! Are you ready Closed Course Racers? The countdown to the 2017 Jettribe “Best of the West” Series has begun!
RPM RACING ENTERPRISES is proud to announce:
The Jettribe “Best of the West” Series, Rounds 1 & 2 The 4th Annual Lake Havasu Open of Watercross / Gary Hart Memorial Race Presented by: Jettrim, Sea-Doo, Hot Products, Hydro-Turf, Jet Re-Nu, Bomber Eyewear, C57 Racing Products, Skat-Trak, Oakley, Kawasaki, Pro Watercraftracing, IPD Graphics, Watercraft Rider, Pro Rider Magazine & The Watercraft Journal
Windsor 4 Beach, Lake Havasu State Park April 8 & 9, 2017
There are two ways to pre-register for this race: 1.) Please click on the attached entry form if paying by cash or check or visit www.rpmracingent.com for all race information and fill it out completely and either: 1.)scan and email it back to [email protected] or 2.) mail it in before pre-registration deadline (Monday, March 27th), mail it to RPM RACING ENTERPRISES 1803 Morgan Lane, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Reminder, payment is not required to be considered pre-registered, just the entry form.
2.) To register online, via Paypal, please click on the link below: (Note: Each round, Sat. & Sun. must be registered separately).
Note: Pre-Registration discount ends Sunday, March 27th!! All entries received thereafter will be charged $25/class late fee. No late fee’s will be charged if entry form is received prior to March 27th if paying on-site!!
This is an IJSBA sanctioned event and a World Finals qualifiers. IJSBA memberships can be purchased on-site (preferred method to maximize license-12 mos. from date of purchase).
Camping: Self Contained Camping is available on-site in the pit area for $30/night (no hook ups).
Host Hotel: The Bridgewater Inn, 101 London Bridge Rd. Lake Havasu City , AZ – 86403 Phone: 928 855 3550 Fax: 928 855 7220
Racer Rate: $69.95/night single or double occupancy plus tax, Must use code: ” RPM Racer- Lake Havasu Open” to get discounted rate. (Note: Any problems ask for Terri) Note: Rooms are limited and on a first come, first served basis. Please make your reservations asap!
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday April 7th, 2017 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm Racer Check-in, Registration at Jettribe paddock in pit area (Windsor 4, Lake Havasu State Park)
Saturday April 8th, 2017 – Schedule of Events – Round 1 6:45 am – 8:00 am Technical Inspection & Rider Check In/Late Registration (Pit area) 8:00 am – 8:30 am Mandatory Riders Meeting (all riders must attend!!) 8:45 am – 9:30 am Closed Course Practice 9:30 am – 1:00 pm Closed Course Qualifying 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm Freestyle Competition 1:30 pm – 5:00 pm Closed Course Finals
Sunday April 9th, 2017 – Schedule of Events – Round 2 7:30 am – 8:00 am Technical Inspection & Late Rider Check In/Registration- Pit Area 8:00 am – 8:30 am Mandatory Riders Meeting (all riders must attend!!)
8:30 am – 8:45 am Closed Course Practice 8:45 am – 2:00 pm Closed Course Qualifying & Finals 2:00 pm – 2:30 pm Freestyle competition & Flyboard exhibition 2:30 pm – Awards Ceremony
Important Info for all Participants: Please read! PITS: The pits (grass area adj. to beach) will be open on Friday morning. All Motorhomes will park in the designated grass area (pits) dry camping only, 1st come, 1st serve ($30/night). No reservation needed. You will need your parking pass and credentials to come through the gate once you have gone through registration.
Full Hook ups: If you want full hook ups you need to make arrangements with the Lake Havasu State Park, located adjacent to the pits- please call (928) 855-2784 to make your reservation or visit: Lake Havasu State Park | Campground Reservations | Arizona
Notes: All race pits take priority over Motorhomes!!! Please do NOT spread out. Take only enough for your pit and please be good neighbors to your fellow racers. Do not set up until cleared by the pit manager!!
Beach Area: Absolutely NO motorized vehicles on the beach, hand carting in and out only. Motorized launch (cars/trucks/quads/etc.) must use the launch/pick up ramp. Please do not park or set up your pit where you might block access to the beach. No extra pitvehicles will be permitted, they will be asked to park in the asphalt parking lot adjacent to the pits. Each entry and or boat will receive ONE (1) pit pass for their vehicle. All vehicles must display the proper parking pass (to be received at check-in/lateregistration).
Fuel: All fuel must be stowed properly. If you are storing fuel in the back of your truck you may not back the truck over the water per the Coast Guard and EPA. Failure to comply will result in a fine or dq at the Coast Guard’s discretion. All fuel barrel’s and or fuel containers (ie: VP 5 gallon cans) must be removed by the owner at the end of the race weekend. All fuel barrel’s/containers will be marked and if left the participant will forfeit all points/prize money, etc. (take your fuel cans/barrel’s with you, please don’t leave them).
Prize Money: Pro Classes with 6 or more riders at a minimum there will be 50% payback.
Note: Entry fee is $100/day/class with less than 6 riders, more than 6 riders $150/class/day.
Rider Check In: ALL racers/families/crew members must check-in on Friday starting at Noon until 6:00 p.m. and or on Saturday morning at 6:45 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. If you’ve pre-registered you still must check-in, sign the waivers and receive your credentials. If you haven’t registered you may do so during the days/times stated. Please do not wait until registration is closing to either get registered or clear registration.
Thank you for your support!
Ross Wallach, President RPM RACING ENTERPRISES 1803 Morgan Lane Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Phone (310) 318-4012 www.rpmracingent.com
With the increasing power and speeds being achieved with the new GP1800 hull, tuners are having to preemptively solve issues before racers and riders encounter them in a large scale. The latest salvo in keeping racers safe and securely glued to the water hails from none other than Dean’s Team who has developed a new Transom Plate Modification for both the Yamaha GP1800 and FX SVHO WaveRunners.
Available as either a service where in you ship your OEM transom plate for modification or as a completed product shipped directly to you (priced at $149 or $279, respectively), the Dean’s Team Transom Plate modification dramatically reduces cavitation and increases the water volume to the pump via a tapered design helping stabilize cavitation from the bottom of and throughout the middle of the Yamaha’s power band, improving hook-up in choppy water.
“The improved design was created to optimize water flow from when it enters up through the intake grate so the maximum amount of water volume will reach the impeller,” states Dean Charrier.
The Dean’s Team Transom Plate Modification can be purchased directly at DeansTeam.com HERE.
“It was a weird request,” the salesman admitted, slumping back comfortably in his desk chair, the vinyl-wrapped cushions squeaking. “But $1,000 bucks just to have two skis on display for a couple hours? ‘Yeah,’ I told the guy. ‘We could do that.'” The phone call to the dealership had come out of the blue, but the dealer (who asked to remain nameless) recognized the Honda representative on the other line from years ago. “All he wanted was a pair of supercharged three-seaters; a Sea-Doo RXT-X and a Yamaha FX Cruiser SVHO. They needed them – with rolling stands – delivered to the back of a hotel nearby. We unloaded and wheeled them into the conference room.”
“My driver was told what time to return that afternoon to pick up the units.” The Honda representative promised the skis wouldn’t be ridden, put in the water or even have people climbing all over them. They were merely for display purposes only. Because there wasn’t a boat show happening nearby, the request felt all the more unusual. “I figured they were doing some market research as we’ve all heard rumors that Honda was getting back into the [PWC] game.” When the time came around to pick up the two units, the driver showed up a bit too early. “No, he was on time,” the salesman continued. “They were running late. So my guy just sat in the back and waited.”
The few minutes the driver sat and listened in on were all that was needed. Next to the Yamaha and Sea-Doo was parked an entirely new machine – unlike anything the long-time employee had seen before. Not unlike the other two machines, a tell-tale left hand-side trigger hinted at an on-water braking system competitive with Sea-Doo’s iBR and Yamaha’s RiDE. The mystery machine was long, with a tiered bench for three passengers. The styling was uniquely Honda, reminiscent of the F-12X and larger F-15X. It clearly was designed to challenge the two performance-bred full-sized runabouts.
Bold-faced letters spelled out “Turbo” on the side, and various bits of information regarding the powertrain were projected against the large screen above. The final iteration of the Aquatrax, the F-15X, was powered by a 160-ish horsepower DOHC 4-cylinder 4-stroke displacing 1470cc’s. While no horsepower number was revealed, the mention of Sea-Doo’s 300-ponies was of some interest to the presenter; audible gasps from some members of the crowd revealed their astonishment at hearing that people would even want that much power from a PWC.
While details were thin, we did our research into Honda’s latest engine offerings. Last year marked the release of Honda’s all-new 2.0-liter engine, said to both weigh less and have reduced internal friction than that of the outgoing 1.8-liter, all while producing an additional 15 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque. That totals a naturally-aspirated 158 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 138 lb-ft at 4200 rpm (with a jaunty 6700 rpm redline). While that might not set the world on fire, Honda’s current turbocharged 1.5-liter spools up to 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. Frankly put, if Honda is looking to compete with Yamaha and Sea-Doo (and Kawasaki’s 310-horsepower), they’re going to need to step up big time.
The last time we chatted about Honda, it was late in 2013. Many of our readers mocked us for even doing so. And since that time, little has changed. Honda Motorsports’ Timmonsville, South Carolina, manufacturing facility still has all of the original molds, tooling and equipment necessary to rekindle production in short time. Clearly, Honda is strongly considering a return to the water, but how? Historically, Honda PWC were sold explicitly through select Powerhouse Honda dealers in only four countries: Canada, USA, New Zealand, and Australia. No Central or South America, no European continent. No Asia. Frankly put, Honda got in its own way and the answer has yet to be resolved.
“Finally, the guy noticed my driver and shooed him out,” the salesman concluded. By the time they came and got the driver back, the people had shuffled out having been sworn to secrecy, and the prototype was whisked away out through another set of doors. All that remained were some empty chairs and the two watercraft resting on their carts. It’s doubtful that Honda will return in time for 2018 given how slow they have been since terminating production in 2011. Of course, both Sea-Doo and Yamaha are reporting record-breaking increases in sales just in this first fiscal quarter alone, with expectations for easily the best year in PWC sales in a decade. If this continues, it’s very plausible we could see a return of Honda to the PWC market soon.
Precision is the single-most important trait when it comes to mass production of machine parts. After all of the time and effort is spent in research and development of the parts and process, and all of the wrinkles are ironed out of the manufacturing process, the next – and possibly the greatest step, as the legacy of your brand and product hangs upon it – is precision. Falling under the oft-heard category of “quality control”, ensuring that every part produced falls within the prescribed tolerances is imperative, especially in today’s age when any individual can take to their keyboard and publicly denounce your company for an ill-fitting, poorly machined part.
In an effort to dramatically improve its game, SBT, Inc (Short Block Technologies, Incorporated), out of Clearwater, Florida, it recently acquired a Crysta-Plus M Series 196-Manual-Floating Type CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine). Atypical for manufacturing outside of the OE (original equipment) manufacturers, the level of precision that this machine is capable of is staggering. The Watercraft Journal spoke directly with Quality Control Manager Jerry Xiong of SBT, who said, “The machine is capable of measuring to within millionths of an inch (0.000001). Critical internal engine parts tolerances are typically measured in a tenth of a thousandth (.0001), so having at least one or two decimal points more accuracy in the machine is important for consistent measurements.”
Above: SBT’s Quality Control Manager Jerry Xiong demonstrates how a single part is pulled from production to be measured against the prescribed tolerances set for this particular piece. The “clamp” (or wand) is manually positioned where it can set digital waypoints before conducting is program.
Opting for a manual floating type CMM allows Jerry and his team the ability to manually guide the mobile clamp for one-touch clamping on each axis by hand. The one-touch air clamp articulates smoothly as it rides on high-precision air bearings and lightweight moving components, providing high-accuracy measurements as it generates a continuous fine feed over the entire measuring range. Best of all, the Crysta-Plus M is suitable to measure a wide range of applications by using a high-performance linear encoder for detecting axis position. So why was all of this so necessary for SBT? Jerry continued, “The complexity of our new parts lines, especially our new engines and heads, drove the investment.”
We asked what parts offered by SBT were measured/checked by this machine, Jerry noted matter-of-factly, “Any part that varies by less than 0.001-inch or has complex critical surfaces. As it simplifies critical measurements, most parts that aren’t easily done with calipers or micrometers are measured on the CMM. Parts are batch-produced and each batch is sampled thought the production output and compared against the average. If any part has a variance issue, the entire batch is 100-percent inspected to ensure high variance parts are taken out and new batches are of the part are put under a higher level of sampling.” And don’t think this is a high dollar item that is rare used. Jerry laughed, “[We use it] every day. Users rotate usage time in windows, so [it’s] probably running 4-to-6 hours a day.”
Above: As Jerry described, because of the high levels of precision necessary in today’s finely tuned personal watercraft, SBT, Inc. saw it necessary to acquire the CMM to ensure that the products leaving SBT’s Clearwater, FL facility were factory-fit correct.
Some days are worse than others. The unidentified freerider made the decision to head into some stormy seas and his ski. Tempting as the overhead waves could be, he did not fare well and ended up stranded in the water. A video begins with a scene like something straight out of a shipwreck movie. A riderless ski is lying on a sea wall. The rider is trying to swim to reach his ski and just ends up pushed away while being rocked back and forth by the heaving waves. He’s waving his arm at anyone on shore, all the while trying to reach his craft.
The positive side of this event is that the rider is wearing safety equipment including a helmet and a proper lifejacket that is keeping him afloat and his head above water. He gets close to the location of his ski and abruptly sent back out by the waves that are continuously bouncing off the wall.
We dug a little deeper in search of any information as to how the story ended. We checked the Toronto PWC’s Instagram account and its Facebook Page and found no conclusive evidence as to what unfolded. From the comments on the Instagram page, this is nothing unusual. Keyboard warriors were either making light of the situation or commenting about the number of other riders who think they can handle riding near the jetties and bridges in the area during stormy conditions. Know your limits because sometimes, you just get wasted!
Mark Gomez is a 23-year-old that has skills well beyond his years. He started riding at the age of 7 and has continued to elevate to new heights each year. He has worked his way to become a World Champion Racer, win multiple freeride championships and be in some of the major news headlines. He was recently in Japan with fellow riders Takaaki Murao, Zach Bright and Abraham Hochstrasser. These are some of the most well-known and best freeriders and there were sure some competitiveness that day.
In freeriding, the major points given are in air and having limbs off of your craft. When freeriders hear this, they do not get scared away. They get excited and as you can see in this video below, they make sure to put on a crazy show. Launching off of waves, holding their leg back and somehow landing unhurt in unbelievable. It takes a special type of rider to have the guts to launch off those big of waves.
Mark Gomez has been making waves in the news for a few years now and continues to impress. From being a stunt man at Universal Studios, being a professional freerider and taking his 550 to the flooded streets of Fullerton, Gomez lives and breathes riding. Be sure to check out his other videos and support him as he travels the world.
Gomez, Ho, and Bright are all riders that are continuing to make the sport of freeriding more well know. Videos like these are what is going to bring this sport to new levels. If you are a freerider and want to gain more exposure we encourage you to start making videos and showing what skills you have. You never know what you are capable of until you start trying new tricks!
Caffeine. What a beautifully addictive thing. A morning ritual for everyone and an afternoon pick me up for most. From coffee to the multiple energy drinks on the market, there is a ton of options. The best option however is SHARK Energy Drinks. The sustainable energy given through these drinks provide athletes, fans and technicians to get through the day with caffeine.
After a jam-packed, exciting 2016 Pro Watercross National Tour, SHARK Energy has announced that they will again be the Official Energy Drink Sponsor of Pro Watercross for the 2017 season. The President of Energy Beverages Inc. recently stated this regarding to this last year, “The first year was really just the beginning of what we hope to be a long-term partnership with Pro Watercross and the sport. The outdoor beach and water sport-related synergies are a fantastic match up for us.” Most people who are already involved in the PWC community know how everybody at the events enjoys each others company but to have a big company recognize our community is huge. It shows that the riders and fans are getting more noticed and our sport is continuing to grow!
Riders put in hours and hours of training to make sure they are the first one to cross that finish line. SHARK Energy Drinks will give you the endurance to train at a new level which in hand can mean better placement on the podium. SHARK’s passion is to “Bring out the Beast” so make it a goal this year to “Bring out the Beast” in you and show the fans what you are capable of. SHARK Energy Drinks offers sugar-free, non-carbonated, carbonated, fruit flavored and refreshing drinks for everyone. A product for everybody, we are happy to announce that SHARK Energy will be at every stop of the tour. Make sure to stop by and try the drinks out!
Motonautica Mexico has signed on as the IJSBA’s newest international affiliate and is no stranger to powerboat racing. The group has been on the cutting edge of Mexico’s PWC scene since 2010 and is Mexico´s largest and most essential boating association, making Montonautica Mexico a welcome addition to the IJSBA. It has seven races lined up in Mexico this year with Charles Large, a former IJSBA organizer, leading the way. According to the IJSBA’s press release, special invitation incentives will be offered to competitors from overseas. Here is a list what is included in the special incentive package as stated in an article on the IJSBA’s website: Motonautica Mexico is offering a “free seat” for an American or Canadian driver interested in racing in Mexico. This includes hotel accommodations, no entry fee, a competitive ModVP boat or PWC, fuel, crew, and a few other perks.
Also, riders leading in points, will represent Mexico’s national teams at the 36th annual IJSBA World Finals in October, which will be held in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The crew from IJSBA expects big things to come from the inclusion of the Mexican series, like a higher number of international attendees. Some of the awesome locations include Acapulco, Cancun, and Campeche, so these should draw a sizable crowd of competitors and spectators since people love to visit those places. The first event of the series took place in Acapulco last month and was a great success with no accidents and close to 35 boats in the race.The series should continue to thrive, building on the momentum of the first race. The resurgence of jet ski racing in Mexico may just succeed with the assistance of the IJSBA.
“Making a Sea-Doo go fast is very easy,” RIVA Racing’s Jesus Garcia grinned. “Sea-Doo makes it very easy to tune and get power out of. You will like it.” The affable Spanish-born Head of Engine Management Development is the newest member of RIVA’s legendary Research & Development team, flanked by South African-born Bruce Clarkson and red blooded-American Mark Nystrom (who I relentlessly tease about his ongoing vintage Ford Mustang. Car guys are wont to incessant harassment). Garcia, whose relentlessness in perfecting the several newly-added Performance Packages in RIVA’s roster, oversaw today’s testing session.
As Garcia pushed me off of the floating dock, its rubberized casters carrying the Inferno Red ’17 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 into the water, waved happily flashing me a toothy grin. He knew something I didn’t. I just knew it. “Keep the VTS just one notch above bottom,” he suggested. Toggling down, I set the Variable Trim System as instructed and confirmed the iControl command, putting me into Sport mode. Much if not all of the modifications made to this Sea-Doo were to effectively unlock the 1,630cc 3-cylinder four-stroke, pushing its advertised 300-horsepower to a hair’s breadth above 350. Unlike any Sea-Doo I had ridden previous, this one’s engine carried an ungodly lope to the idle.
Performing my best Erminio Iantosca impression, I leaned low and deep over the handlebars and stabbed the throttle. Two or three recoils off of the preset rev limiter, and the RXP-X erupted past 6,000rpm. Seven thousand arrived nanoseconds later. Eight thousand followed. The iridescent red needle pegged at 9,000rpm and glued itself vertical. The sensation was violent. The treeline that once was perched on the horizon appeared in full detail almost instantaneously. I backed off of the throttle, listening to the supercharger scrub off boost. With so much power on tap, driver input felt insulated, muted. I wrenched the bars hard right and the howling Sea-Doo arched in that direction.
With so much thrust churning through the pump, the RXP-X remained planted, refusing to break free. The deep keel of the T3 hull split chop better with a handful of boosted horsepower than ever in stock trim. RIVA Racing’s IJSBA Limited Class Race Kit for the 2017 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 is advertised at a maximum of 85mph @ 9,000rpm, but results may vary. “If it goes 88mph, I have them advertise 86 only because our conditions might be better (temperature of air/water, altitude, etc.) – and I don’t want them thinking we lied to them,” Garcia admitted. All of his speed testing is performed with 1/3 tank of fuel, which can also play a factor. Garcia wanted no confusion. That’s why our GPS reading of 85.9mph on our iPhone app was acceptable.
The big addition over the existing Stage 2 kit is the addition of RIVA’s Sea-Doo 300 Racing Camshaft (PT# RS19140-BCS), which pushes the Sea-Doo’s performance from a stellar 72mph at 8,000rpm to the above 85mph at 9,000rpm. Finalizing the rest of the package is a RIVA Sea-Doo 300 Open Loop Cooling Kit (PT# RS1013-140), a RIVA Sea-Doo RXP/RXT 300 Free Flow Exhaust Kit (PT# RS16140-1) and a specially-pitched Skat-Trak 3-Blade Swirl Impeller 15/19 (PT# SS618328SW15/19). Achieving such breakneck acceleration and reaching such speeds with so little invasive parts in regards to rebuilding the engine itself or replacing more than the prop is a testament both to Sea-Doo’s ever-evolving product and RIVA’s ability to magnify the abilities within the craft itself without having to re-engineer large portions of the machine.
All of this comes with a price, and that well beyond the kit’s listed MSRP of $5492.64. All pretenses of a civilized, refined and casual riding experience are gone with the fully-equipped RXP-X 300. As if given a large portion of Dr. Jekyll’s serum, the RIVA Racing IJSBA Limited Class Race Kit-equipped ’17 Sea-Doo RXP-X 300 is brutish, punishing and unrelenting. When unleashed by the vice of the throttle, the machine will challenge your mettle by pressing your body with g-forces never otherwise felt, both in the corners and in straight line acceleration. The surge of acceleration as it ascends the Everest-like slope of its power curve will attempt to peel your fingers from their clutches around the palm rest grips. Again, you’ve been warned – and more so than I ever was.
Available as either a service where in you ship your OEM transom plate for modification or as a completed product shipped directly to you (priced at $149 or $279, respectively), the Dean’s Team Transom Plate modification dramatically reduces cavitation and increases the water volume to the pump via a tapered design helping stabilize cavitation from the bottom of and throughout the middle of the Yamaha’s power band, improving hook-up in choppy water.
