Seven Deadly Questions With Christian D’Agostin

By

-

February 23, 2015

The Watercraft Journal: Christian, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us! For many of our readers, they have no idea of your extensive racing background – dating back to Australia’s world-famous V8 Supercar series, the American LeMans and even entering into the Australian Drift Series! What drew you to these awesome racing series? Tell us how you got into racing at such a competitive level.
Christian D’Agostin: Motor racing has been a huge portion of my life, from the age of 2, dad had me at the track. He was the team manager for Garry Rogers as a driver who now runs the very successful Volvo V8 supercar teams in Australia today. My uncle built a very “agricultural” go-kart when I was 5. I basically drove that into the ground, which is when dad got serious with my potential and brought a proper Sprint Kart. So from age 10 to 20 we basically raced everywhere, every weekend.

This was an excellent baseline to go forward with. I owe all my tin top racing success and opportunities to Commordore Cup – a V8 sedan series which I won two Australian championships with, which opened the doors to V8 Supercars, in which I was able to race many rounds and seven Bathurst 1000 races.

I was in Adelaide racing at “Race of 1000 Years” where the American LeMans series was racing on the Formula 1 circuit. I was asked to race a Porsche GT3R for an American Team in the race. I had never driven a left-hand steer before and finished 7th outright and 1st in class. From there I was asked to do the Daytona 24 Hours, which was a great opportunity.

My Holden (General Motors) alliance got me a opportunity to compete in the the Australian Drift series with a 900hp Commodore (Pontiac) prototype, which was a real eye-opener coming from 20-plus-years of grip racing to drift!

WCJ: Leaping from top level auto racing to jet ski racing might be considered by some as taking a “step backwards.” Do you feel this way? What prompted you to make such a big switch?
CD: I had done everything I could do with my motorsport career within my parameters. I was lucky enough to be able to do it full time for 5 years, and 24 years in total of competition! But I never saw jet skiing as a competition for me, it was a completely recreational outlet. Being on the Gold Coast and all, we were just always in the surf on our GP1200R’s just having a blast – then in 2005 there was a surf race here on the Gold Coast, thought I would do it for a bit of fun. And look what happened! I was hooked.

In no way at all do I see jet ski racing a step back at all. The completion and competitive nature of all riders I have raced [against] are just as hungry to win as anyone I have come across – they are racers too – just with a different skill set.

WCJ: Are there any major lessons that you’ve learned from auto racing that apply to jet ski racing? What have you seen in your experience that today’s jet ski racing could learn from automotive racing?
CD: Believe it or not, I take them all to a jet ski event. Racing is racing. The skill set is a little different, but they do have a lot of similarities. The mental and physical fitness, and preparation is the biggest – especially long distance offshore racing. These jet skis are being squeezed to [their] breaking point by the riders and engineers. [It’s] no different to motor racing. So preparation of both is paramount.

Jet ski racing fundamentally suffers from the lack of corporate support. More so in Australia where even the manufactures of the skis we race is minimum across the board.

Unfortunately in my experience you can’t wait for the sponsor to be interested in the sport, you have to take the sport to the sponsor. This will always be difficult if it can’t be found on television. Although jet ski racing has been around for years, I still don’t think it’s [reached] its potential. People can’t afford to play the horsepower war any more, the OEM stock classes and “one make series,” which myself and a couple of your fellow countrymen raced in China late last year was a great success, and put on some spectacular closed racing. I think this a key to growing the sport.

WCJ: Since moving to jet ski racing, you’ve experience some marked success: winning the 2013 Australian Offshore Triple Crown and 2014 Australian endurance championship, a 1st place in this past Pro Open Runabout Enduro at Perth, (as well as a pair of podium finishes in Pro Stock and Pro Open) and even crossing the infamous Bass Strait on a JetSki to raise awareness for prostate cancer! What big goals do you have for your jet ski racing career for 2015?
CD: Now that we are the Factory Kawasaki Racing Team for Australia for 2015, I would love to repay their commitment with a third Australian title. We also as a team have to right a few wrongs – we have a lot of unfinished business with the King’s Cup Endurance races and LB2CAT – you guys would be still talking about the time we did in practice if I could of replicated in the race! Hopefully this year. But the biggest feather in our 2015 cap would be to win the World Offshore Series.

WCJ: We caught you right before you departed to Lake Havasu City, Arizona for the Mark Hahn Memorial 300. What are you bringing to this race? What class are you entering? What expectations do you have for this race?
CD: We have put everything and [more] into this event. Being our first [Mark Hahn Memorial] 300, we have buried some perfectly good components – pushing [them until] we broke it, trying to eliminate all [the] gremlins. We have a 78, 75 and 72mph configurations for the event, obviously the 72 mph gives us [the] best reliability and economy – it’s super important to finish for us as its Round 1 of the World Offshore Series. We will be doing Pro Open and I will be riding by myself [Ironman]. And of course backing myself to win, which would be huge, very hard, but not out of the question.

WCJ: Will this be the last America will see of you this year?
CD: All going well, our [Kawasaki] 310X SE will stay with you in the northern hemisphere for the rest of the year. LB2CAT is locked in, Round 2 of the World Series in Russia, the Aqua Bike Finals again in China, and all going well, we will finish the year off at King’s Cup. And of course finishing our AJSBA Tour.

WCJ: That is an extensive schedule! We wish you the very best both this weekend and throughout the year! To conclude, is there anyone you’d like to personally thank for helping get this far in your career? (Now’s the time to “shout out” to your sponsors!)
CD: First of all, Jamie Eade, owner of Brisbane Kawasaki. (The JetSki whisperer!) He has been there 100-percent all the way. I don’t think he knew what he was getting into when he met me. [Thanks for his] superb knowledge of the craft, and a man who is prepared to sacrifice to get the result. Next, Cameron Martin – the rock of the team. He’s always reliable – never missed a meeting here or overseas. He’s got it sorted while your still thinking about it. [Finally,] Tom Hayes, our shop race mechanic who never gets any accolades. [He] spends the most time in the shop fixing, building, repairing three race boats as his priority. [He] never complains, never says no, just always steps up.

[And of course,] my beautiful wife Sophie and daughter Sienna for their ongoing support of my racing, and putting up with all the away time. There’s nothing better to come home to than you two guys – I love you both. Big thanks also to Kawasaki Australia, Brisbane Kawasaki, K-Speed, PTS, MissBikiniLover.com, Jettribe, 360 Health, Fight Like a Pro, Sole Revolution and PWCOffshore.com

Yamaha Watercraft Receives Two NMMA Innovation Awards

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 20, 2015

1

There’s no question that Yamaha has been having a heck of a great year. Not only did their SVHO-platform WaveRunners clinch a trio of Pro Runabout National Championships as well as a handful of accolades at the IJSBA World Finals and King’s Cup in Thailand, but the brand with the tuning forks saw incredibly strong sales (equating to increased market share) for 2014. So how could 2015 be any better? First of all, Yamaha stacked the deck with two major innovations: their RiDE dual-throttle brake and reverse system and their performance-enhancing NanXcel2 hull material.

And already, the industry is taking notice. At this past Miami International Boat Show, Yamaha WaterCraft Group took home two prestigious NMMA (National Marine Manufacturer’s Association) awards for both their all-new Connext helm control system featured on all 24-foot Yamaha boats, and for the aforementioned RiDE control system. Both innovations provide dramatic leaps forward in driver control and maneuverability as well as added personal safety.

We foresee only great things happening for Yamaha this year, both on and off the race course. Here’s the original press release:

Yamaha WaterCraft Group, a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., announces that it received two prestigious awards recognizing excellence in design from the National Marine Manufacturers’ Association (NMMA).

Honored for innovation by the NMMA in the Mechanical and Electrical category was Yamaha’s all new Connext helm control system available on all new 24-foot Yamaha boats. Connext is an easy to use, all in one system that combines an LCD touch screen with a joystick control, allowing the driver to easily and intuitively access all major electronic functions of the boat. In addition, Connext serves as the entertainment hub of the boat, providing full access to radio and stereo controls, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity and USB connections.

Yamaha’s new RiDE system received the innovation award in the Personal Watercraft category.

RiDE is the world’s first handlebars with dual throttle controls and is available on Yamaha’s 2015 FX and VX Series WaveRunners. Pull the right hand throttle lever to go forward, pull the left hand throttle lever to slow down and go in reverse. Let go of both levers and the watercraft is in neutral. The right and left throttle levers can work together at speed to let the driver dial in maximum control over their ride.

“Receiving these two highly coveted awards reflects our commitment to constant innovation and bringing all new technologies and features to market that make our customers’ experiences with our products even better every time they are out on the water,” said Bryan Seti, general manager of Yamaha’s Watercraft Group.

The NMMA Innovation Awards are presented annually at the Miami Boat Show. The Innovation Award honors manufacturers and suppliers who bring new, innovative products for the boating industry to market.

Quick Tech: Mounting & Plumbing An Accessory Fuel Tank

By

Corey Goodman

-

February 19, 2015

7

The idea came about from our riding group doing extended day rides. The long distances required us to find fuel wherever we could. This was even more difficult when riding in protected areas where fuel spillage becomes an issue. This system is very simple and it works without the use of pumps, instead working solely on the vacuum created in the main tank vent hose. The main fuel tank draws from the auxiliary tank first. This way also cuts out any chance of fuel spillages while transferring fuel from jerry cans being carried on the back.

This walk-through is the first one I made using an older style fuel cell fitted to the swim platform of my own Kawasaki Ultra 300X, I have since made others using a newer style tank, and many others here in Australia have since copied the idea (with my permission) to their own skis. Many have had no mechanical knowledge and have found it very simple to replicate.

Below are the steps necessary to replicate this very easy-to-install auxiliary fuel tank to your runabout. It shouldn’t matter if it’s supercharged or not, the fuel delivery system remains the same.

20121115_190543 — You’ll need an insulated and self-contained fuel cell, two sets of hose quick connects (more can be used if you want to remove the hose completely from the rear tank), fuel hose (6mm), ratchet-style tie downs, zip ties, hose clamps and fittings for the fuel cell.

20121115_160113 — First, locate and remove your vent hose from your ski’s fuel tank. Add a length of fuel hose to the fuel tank vent nipple, on the other end of this hose you place a 6mm fuel-rated quick connect. Place the opposing quick connect on your OEM vent hose, this allows your OEM fuel tank to operate as it was designed (noting the non-return valve has not been removed).

[Above: Next, fit the fuel cell to the rear of the ski. The tank most commonly used holds 45 liters. On any of the Kawasaki’s this is easy because the rear deck is flat, on other branded skis heavy foam packers can be glued to beneath the tank to level it out. I have made a custom ratchet webbing strap to firmly hold the fuel cell in any rough conditions.]

[Above: Next is to connect the 6mm fuel rated hose to the rear tank pick up and another to the vented fuel tank cap. Find or make an entry point in the rear of the ski, once again Kawasaki have made this easy with the rear vents being utilized. Others have drilled holes and used grommets when not in use.]

20121115_160257 — The fuel lines are then tied away from the engine and threaded forward to wear we made the quick connect connection on the OEM tank. Loose hanging zip ties can be seen in my pictures along with where I threaded the OEM breather through the upside down sensor bracket.

20121115_160244 — Then disconnect the OEM breather quick connect and locate the hose going to the OEM tank nipple and the pick up line from the rear accessory tank, cut this to length and fit an opposing quick connect, connect these together, then locate the OEM breather hose and do the same with the breather hose coming from the fuel tank, measuring cutting and fitting another opposing quick connect. (This procedure only has to be done once as from now on it can only be fitted up one way.) The idea of the quick connects is the tank can be removed at any time and the ski returned to OEM. All within approximately 2 minutes. The quick connects are also self sealing so no spillage in your hull.

[Above: You then fill your OEM tank on the 300X (this is 82 liters to the filler neck), fill the accessory tank (of which, is 45 liters). This gives a total capacity of 127 liters. As you ride your ski the vacuum created in the OEM tank draws the fuel from the rear tank utilizing your unchanged OEM vent line with the non return valve still in place. Once the rear tank is empty the system is no different to OEM the air is now being pulled in the vent line via the rear tank.]

<

►

>

IPD Graphics’ Bibi Carmouche Featured on 2015 Hot Products Catalog Cover

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 19, 2015

0

The 2015 racing season hasn’t even officially started and it’s looking like it’s already Bibi Carmouche’s year. Riding a Bullett-hulled SX-R, sporting support from support from some of the most iconic names in jet skiing – Jettrim, JetPilot, Skat-Trak, and Oakley to name a few – Bibi has bested her challengers from the starting band to the checkers, and now has one more massive win to announce.

The current Pro Watercross National Champion and previous IJSBA World Champion will be the first woman to be featured exclusively on the cover of Hot Products’ 2015 product catalog. The second woman ever to grace the catalog’s cover – sharing the honor with Mrs. Rachel MacClugage – Bibi’s iconic black-and-neon pink color combination also heavily influences the book’s design.

While we’re sure to see an official statement and press release from Hot Products, we didn’t want to sit around and wait to share the good news. The Watercraft Journal got a chance to talk to Casey Mauldin of IPD Graphics who beamed with pride:

“We are so proud of Bibi for making the cover of the Hot Products catalog, she is changing a lot of things right now for women in the jet ski racing industry! Not only is she the first women to be featured exclusively on this iconic cover, but she is setting a great example to other women regarding what they can accomplish, and setting the bar much higher in a time when we need it most. As thousands of these catalogs get printed and distributed onto dealers counters around the world, this gives the opportunity for girlfriends, daughters, mothers, etc, to be inspired to want to be more of a part of our great industry. Much props Bibi, you’re our hero!”

We too agree that there’s no arguing with the scoreboard, and Bibi has clearly risen the ranks to become one of the most influential young women in jet ski racing in recent years. We look forward to seeing more from Ms. Carmouche as she pursues her goals of world domination!

It‘s a BBQ! It’s a Picnic Table! It’s a Boat! It’s The BBQ Donut!

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 18, 2015

0

Sometimes, the biggest problem we encounter with enjoying a day on the lake is our proximity to decent brisket. Sure, you could try to cook some sausages on your Factory Pipe or even smoke some chicken if you’ve got a worn out 2-stroke, but trying to score some quality BBQ out on the water is all but impossible. That is, until today!

Introducing the BBQ Donut Boat. Although not a jet-powered PWC or even a boat, every now and again, we find something so awesomely absurd that we have to share it no matter its propulsion system. Powered by an outboard motor, the BBQ Donut Boats feature a solid round pontoon (not an inflated raft) that can seat up to eight, and are available with either a charcoal grill or a cooler, a picnic table, and an umbrella with lights underneath for nighttime rides.

Now, don’t expect to enter any closed course races, as the BBQ Donut maxes out around 5-7MPH depending on sea state, wind and the number of people aboard. Originally built by a German boat builder, the idea has taken off around Florida, where partygoers can rent the BBQ Donut for the day out on the river.

We see these gaining some traction around waterfront resorts and can’t imagine a handful floating behind Kokomo’s at the World Finals. Until then, see the BBQ Donut Boat in action HERE:

Videos: At 74MPH, Could This E85 Turbocharged Spark Be The World’s Fastest?

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 18, 2015

1

Voiding your factory warranty has never been so much fun. We all know that Sea-Doo strongly recommends the Spark for “light recreational use.” Heck, just visit and Yamaha or Kawasaki dealer and they’ll be the first to remind you. Sure, the Spark’s Polytec (a Polypropylene blend) hull is lightweight, and that’s awesome, but what many believe is that those weightsavings come at a cost of its durability. And while there are many who’ll decry the Spark’s short lifespan, others are squeezing the most out of life from it.

We’ve been watching what the nutjobs at Vtech Tuned have been doing for a while now, and even published one or two updates on their exploits, but their current Spark project has got us floored. According to their Facebook page, Sea Doo Spark Tuning, the first turbo Sea-Doo Spark was in Australia and has been converted to an E85 turbo, making it (again, according to Vtech) the world’s most powerful Spark!

Surprisingly, the switch from conventional petrol gasoline to E85 ethanol is made surprisingly easy thanks to Vtech Tuned’s E85 ECU reflash software. Those “in the know” understand the benefit of switching to E85, particularly when adding a turbo to a previously naturally-aspirated engine. Ethanol responds surprisingly well to added compression and advanced timing, increasing both horsepower and efficiency without premature detonation (“knock”).

We’ve included three of Vtech’s project Spark videos, as the final installment touts an impressive 73.8mph at 9,100rpm while running E85 RE116 fuel through their otherwise stock-internal turbocharged Sea-Doo Spark. But hey, tuners are tuners and are prone to never leave well enough alone. While you’re enjoying these videos, note that Vtech has started development on a 200HP Spark using their Vtech turbo kit (E85), a Rotax racing pump, Skat-Trak impeller, a R&D ride plate and intake grate, RIVA Racing sponsons, Frogskinz vent holes, and a Hydro-Turf seat cover.

Gallery: Action-Kawasaki Florida Winter Championships Presented by Watercraft Superstore

By

Brad Clark

-

February 17, 2015

0

It’s rare when a jet ski race has over 100,000 spectators on-hand, but that’s exactly how many people watched 14 Pro-Am Runabout and 18 Pro Ski racers at this year’s Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta. Joining the citywide event featuring a 5K marathon and a live concert from Jefferson Starship on their 40th Anniversary Tour was the Action-Kawasaki Florida Winter Championships/Mayor’s Cup Presented by Watercraft Superstore, uniting heart-pulsing IJSBA Hydrocross racing with F-2 boat racing, a freestyle and Flyboard demonstration, Sea-Doo test rides, and a children’s fishing tournament.

Supporting the Florida Winter Championships was Bradenton’s own Action Kawasaki, the Watercraft Superstore crew, Manatee County, City of Palmetto, Bradenton, FWC, and the USCG. The pits were filled with very anxious racers doing last minute adjustments getting ready for the big show. Each moto began with rolling starts, and the track was crazy tight resulting in lots of bumping and rubbing going on. The motos were action-packed with plenty of top-notch racing not to mention some unexpected carnage.

As Mikey Young described the Pro-Am Runabout race, and the subsequent win by Troy Snyder, “I believe that people who read the Bradenton Herald leading up to the event knew what to expect, as this local [and] former Manatee Hurricanes high school football standout and HydroDrag World Champion, was deemed ‘the Hometown Hero.'”

Monster Energy/Kawasaki racer and current AquaX USA champ Eric Francis had a “tough extraction,” sending him cartwheeling 150-feet through the air at 80mph. The Watercraft Journal caught up with Francis who said, “I have no idea what to say other than it was the worse get off I have ever had. The ski caught air and the ride plate snapped, causing it to hook right.”

“Fortunately,” as Young explains, “the only things Eric lost was an earring and the race!” Michael George’s Yamaha FZR was completely destroyed when his lanyard came off, causing him to travel into the path of the oncoming Team 71 Yamaha ridden by Chris Saxon. Again, nobody was seriously injured and Chris managed to still came in second behind Yamaha Racing’s Snyder, and followed by Georgia’s, Mike Bellamy.

Looking at what could’ve been, there must have been a guardian angel or two in the crowd looking over all the racers that day as things could have turned out very differently.

Young continued, “The Pro Am Ski class [did] not disappoint as it…was actually kind of a tie between Trinity Racing’s Johnny Smith and Cody McCallum. Smith would hold on for the first moto and have trouble while McCallum’s teammate, Broc Harris took advantage of his experience on a tight track and [took] the win. The second moto was a different chapter for Smith, who suffered a mechanical problem, [leaving] the door open for Harris and Veteran racer, John Stevens…to advance and take [the] second overall spot, in front of Kirk Britto.

In addition to all the closed course racing, a Freestyle demonstration was hosted for the crowd. Chris Langlais, who claimed second place, told The Watercraft Journal, “It was spectacular! [I] had a lot of fun being able to perform a freestyle show with Johnny Havell and Michael Ratti for that many people. I had a dad (with like six kids ranging [in] age of 3-to-15 years old) tell me his kids kept bugging him to leave until they saw me come out from under the bridge, flipping my way to center stage only to perform some of the most sickest stunts they did not think was possible on a ski. He and all the kids shook my hand one-by-one and said thanks for [the] performance. That’s what drives me to do what I do.”

Ultimately, the day was best summed up by Troy Snyder who told The Watercraft Journal, “[It was] the best-viewed race of the year! [This is] what the sport needs to move forward in a positive light!”

All images courtesy of Kurt NgSaye. Originals can be viewed and purchased HERE.

Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta Action-Kawasaki Florida Winter Championships/Mayor’s Cup Presented by Watercraft Superstore
February 6, 2015 Results
Pro Am Ski: 1. Broc Harris, 2. John Stevens, 3. Kirk Britto; Pro Am Runabout: 1. Troy Snyder, 2. Chris Saxon, 3. Michael Bellamy; Pro Freestyle: 1. John Havell, 2. Chris Langlais, 3. Michael Ratti

10968590_10152704053559211_642318169094530886_n

10951387_10152704839604211_6637267187277160470_o

10847308_10152704838574211_1719080713938689960_o

10942519_10152705099009211_8524343819325177345_n

10955725_10152704840084211_1339474205174685452_o

10171220_10152705098149211_6210062882018914870_n

10947242_10152704052819211_5070120216594178911_n

10470571_10152704807489211_4701422064172191027_n

10982229_10152704838869211_1650824741920561286_o

10430900_10152705098749211_2512284622725085730_n

64351_10152704808829211_8119570617637109265_n

1450184_10152704031504211_3966513723833364085_n

1610877_10152704807734211_8637426408424679695_n

1779979_10152704806519211_7462164556692252355_n

1796571_10152704098134211_4429530427339902274_n

10167950_10152705097794211_2615488522705282437_n

10371422_10152705098649211_7190668219924223692_n

10384342_10152704807339211_6997371695204889904_n

10390976_10152704087479211_3988499565776259589_n

10394464_10152704082994211_6249597920083191105_n

10407516_10152704052264211_8109934909091241375_n

10420051_10152704087794211_6747305117117295740_n

10420061_10152704051569211_962339985828783814_n

10451796_10152704839934211_6576721620060424257_n

10453426_10152704803319211_8715311482983470705_n

10562928_10152704806344211_1044493313482050787_n

10563001_10152704037024211_3888621851844641327_n

10672258_10152704807149211_7693073434741085046_n

10685412_10152704037524211_6187993027400796776_n

10696295_10152704098989211_3046955847994980691_n

10801701_10152705098104211_170641466999814237_n

10858540_10152704102244211_5161341738457657626_n

10891734_10152704066989211_285291523786571874_n

10917041_10152704027039211_3415948109217109369_n

10923223_10152704059304211_5176014064277884398_n

10926416_10152704808704211_7926655750965092319_n

10931299_10152704084794211_1556320226260489439_n

10933943_10152704808214211_286281922836548501_n

10958436_10152704027634211_5217759056479614406_n

10958855_10152704803839211_2821002299158302672_n

10958938_10152704031629211_3646030287170802277_n

10959319_10152704806709211_1389297241070291959_n

10959320_10152704044059211_983892960300772951_n

10959512_10152704096004211_8557058108491286069_n

10959677_10152704034199211_6375532625995371319_n

10959713_10152704104119211_4136253750506001622_n

10959725_10152704808764211_1494836209718037072_n

10959777_10152704071324211_1231518288322039479_n

10968375_10152704838429211_7055338479341803461_n

10968420_10152704067999211_6204596257661781801_n

10968513_10152704051279211_1252528340608153611_n

10968549_10152704046794211_7235246305452747803_n

10968563_10152704084279211_4139843580334654424_n

10978523_10152704027179211_8318384296768570040_n

10978594_10152704805059211_1444465420999680694_n

10978596_10152704082829211_8946769921742881446_n

10978609_10152704067139211_4834561818241862391_n

10978707_10152704101059211_6620118274337936185_n

10980755_10152705096484211_2768973353769802971_n

10983409_10152704840464211_4272039053392222973_n

10985243_10152704027809211_601511579461665976_n

10985258_10152704104674211_7871754753833028729_n

10989164_10152704086884211_8553922259669851174_n

<

►

>

RPM Racing Announces 2015 Jettribe “Best of the West” Series

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 17, 2015

0

Decisions, decisions, decisions. That’s what are before many watercraft racers as news continues to pour in from across the country. With AJ Handler and his Pro Watercross Tour’s divorce from the IJSBA, many were left wondering if a IJSBA-sanctioned series was even going to happen. Thankfully, RPM Enterprises’ Ross Wallach’s West Coast series enjoyed strong attendance numbers last year, giving the promoter an edge when it came to organizing 2015’s series.

Teaming with Jettribe Core Watercraft and partnering with Jim Lambert’s stellar DJSA northern California series, the 2015 Jettribe “Best of The West” Series. Stretched over eight rounds of racing, beginning in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and hitting favorited locations Parker, Arizona; Lake Perris, California; and ending in Mossdale Lake, California (just northwest of Modesto), the Best of The West tour will consist of four weekends of racing spanning April to August.

We’re excited to see residents from Arizona join the strongest riders from both northern and southern California, and expect to see a fantastic series unfold this year. Oh, and for those looking to dare to do something different, the final two rounds in Mossdale Quarry Lake will include some spectacular nighttime racing beneath a swarm of floodlights!

Here’s the original press release:

Attention Racers, Race Fans and Friends!!!

RPM Racing and Jettribe would like to announce the 2015 Jettribe “Best of the West” Racing Series. We are very excited for the 2015 season to get underway. There are some changes in the series this year that we are expecting to become some racer favorites. All the races this season will consist of two (2) rounds each. The first and second round races are being held in Lake Havasu City and have been named in memory of Gary Hart from Jettrim. The last 2 races of the season are going to be in Northern California at Mossdale Lake and will be a joint race by the IJSBA, RPM Racing and Jim Lambert of the DJSA (Diablo Jet Ski Action). This will be a Nor Cal Vs. So Cal State Championship race and will include a day and a night race. If anyone has not had the opportunity to race under the night lights, here is your chance. It will be great to see all the So Cal racers and Nor Cal racers converge on this great race location.

Without further delay, here is your 2015 race schedule:

Jettribe “Best of the West” Series
Round #1 & #2 – April 11th & 12th – 2nd Annual Lake Havasu Open of Watercross – Gary Hart Memorial Race (Windsor 4 Beach)

Round #3 & #4 – May 30th & 31st – Blue Water Resort & Casino – IJSBA Western States Nationals – Parker, AZ

Round #5 & #6 – July 11th & 12th – Lake Perris Open – Perris, CA (note: 2 day race – waiting approval)

Round #7 & #8 – August 22nd & 23rd – North Vs. South California State Championships Mossdale Lake, (Day and Night race on Saturday) IJSBA/DJSA/RPM RACING ENT. (Joint race with DJSA)

**Riders please note that you will need to attend 2 of these races to qualify for the World Finals this year due to changes in the IJSBA rules. Also, as a reminder, the Pro Watercross Tour is no longer a IJSBA sanctioned race. Sparks, NV and St. George, UT (along with all other stops) will not qualify you for World Finals.

We are looking forward to a great season of racing and look forward to seeing you all out there on the water.

For more information on the these race events, please contact www.rpmracingent.com or www.jettribe.com

Kevin Shaw: Where is The American Freestyle National Series?

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 16, 2015

4

I stood on the pebbled shore of Arizona’s Lake Havasu, pressed in among a throng of onlookers, teammates, friends and families of the freestyle riders (“freestylers”?), with the “all access” media pass hanging around my neck (that I waited two days for) clearly meaning close to nothing. It was noon Sunday, the last day of the IJSBA World Finals, and the final motos of the Amateur and Pro Freestyle had been going on for what felt like hours.

Even after countless repetitive backflips from competitors with almost unpronounceable names, the crowd was never more densely packed than when the freestyle hit the water, and rightfully so. And this Sunday, all those in attendance would be rewarded for their vigilance.

The previous year, England’s Lee Stone executed a no-handed, one-footed barrel roll aboard his featherweight Revolver that silenced announcers and brought hundreds to their feet. Stone had successfully completed a “Scarecrow,” a trick previously only capable by those freeriders charging the ocean’s biggest, most hollowed-out surf, and had done so in less than two-foot lake chop.

With the bar successfully raised higher than ever before, the weight of expectation almost thickened the air. Stone, piloting a two-toned Revolver of his own design, exploded from near still waters into a backflip. Using superhuman speed and upper body strength, Stone, pulled himself out of the tray, double over, bringing his feet wide out of the tray and together in a split-second heel-clicker, before re-entering and landing the flip.

I was on the beach that afternoon as the crowd erupted into incomprehensible madness. I was there, standing between Justin Stannard and TC Freeride’s Taylor Curtis when freestyle history was made. Although I knew my applause was muted by the din, I still felt like clapping. I needed to.

There is no, and I mean literally no other, form of PWC competition that draws an audience like freestyle. Yet, freestyle is treated with little more regard than rodeo clowns being herded in during lulls in racing. For whatever reason, the disparagement in how promoters handle quite possibly their single greatest spectator-drawing asset is an often forgotten side note. Rather, attention is almost always focused on racing, an already dwindling demographic of the total PWC industry’s interest.

Endurance racing is almost exclusively anti-spectator, as riders vanish into the horizon, only to return an hour later. Coverage is nearly entirely after-the-fact with helicopter film footage being the only reliable source of content. Closed course racing explodes from the starting line in dramatic fashion (LeMans starts are even more crowd pleasing) but it too is often too far from shore to be wholly riveting.

Freestyle, on the other hand, is immediate, upfront and dramatic. Between the showmanship of freestyle and the immediate spectator interest it brings, and how jet ski racing event promoters mishandle this asset, I was left wondering, why isn’t there a National Freestyle Series?

“Great question,” Philip Clemmons of P&P Performance replied. “Anthony Haro tried a year or two ago to start a series called the ‘Flatwater Throwdown,’ but it never got off the ground. There was one event that had 15 or so riders. It’s a small group of hardcore guys. I think they devote their funds/effort to the National Tour for sponsor exposure. Lots of guys go to freerides, but no one has put a series type thing together. It could possibly work, but would need someone to do all the work. Insurance and logistics can be tricky for a small group.”

He continued, “Every year at the Nationals we do a Friday night show for an amphitheater full of people with boats docked all around and live music. It’s way more fun than the actual competition! I’ve gone just to go to that performance.”

Derrick Kemnitz Jr. of Hurricane Industries was a little more pointed, “There’s no promotion. Promoters don’t care about us, but the spectators sure as hell do. We go to the Parker event each year mainly because it’s a good vacation spot… But when the freestyle event comes around, the promoter has us finding our own judges, freestyle doesn’t get trophies or payout like racing, and as soon as everyone’s done with their 2 minutes, they start the races back up. We don’t find out scores until the sheets are posted. Inside the sport, freestyle is the half time show.

“And I really feel that makes it discouraging for newcomers, they see that it’s all pushed to the side and doesn’t look appealing to them. Plus with promoters only offering the two classes, there’s no room for a newcomer to even have a chance at feeling competitive.”

In regards to the two classes, Derrick continued, “Even the entry-level class they have right now is pretty much like a ‘Pro Lites’ class; the skis cost the same, the skill level is the same, just slightly less power. No one’s going to want to spend in a new sport unless they think they can be good at it, and when they’re seeing that my brother’s Amateur class ski was a tad over $35,000, you lose pretty much everyone that’s interested.”

I wondered whether keeping a National Freeride series exclusive to existing jet ski racing venues was the way to go. If a promoter with enough vision and drive to do something different stepped up, I’m certain most athletes would show interest in a national points race – if you had judges and a tech inspection at each event – regardless if the events were at music festivals or outdoor waterfront fairs. By inserting a professional freestyle competition in with a major social festival but have judges, announcers and a tech inspector, so that the freestyle riders accrue points for a national title, all the spectators would know is that they get a great show.

Derrick added, “We’ve done some stuff like that before, local city events on the waterfront. A city rep would come to my dad’s shop and ask us to do a couple of 10 minute shows and the crowd always loved it. I’ve even done shows inside a local Six Flags park before…so we are getting those shows, but I agree that it should be a more common thing for us, especially for how unique jet ski freestyle is.”

Ultimately, freestyle remains the most under-appreciated form of PWC competition despite its obvious crowd appeal. The style, flair and drama of the sport is unlike anything else and deserves to be shown to an audience larger than the scant few who attend traditional racing.

Go Get Wet,
Kevin

Video: Get Ready For Kawasaki’s 2015 JetSki Ultra Lineup

By

Kevin Shaw

-

February 16, 2015

0

The Watercraft Journal was the first to bring you a sneak peek at the 2015 Kawasaki JetSki line waaay back in August, and since that time, plenty of racers and riders have sunk their teeth into the new iridescent green machines across the globe. Almost completely unchanged from 2014 save for some graphics and color options, the 2015 lineup builds on the innovative improvements made to the Ultra’s powertrain for 2014 as well as some other key features.

By radically increasing internal oiling and cooling, improving combustion with new pistons and advanced timing, a new composite plastic intake manifold, and reducing internal friction and wear (ergo lower internal operating temperatures), the once 300-horsepower Ultra increased its output to 310 ponies as a mere byproduct of said improvements. Talk about a win-win, right?

Of course, other additions to the Ultra lineup were the 310R and 310X SE (Special Edition), the prior of the two featuring a custom two-tone painted hood and fairings, a motocross-style handlebar attached to cast aluminum neck offering variations in reach and height, a new narrows and scalloped race-inspired seat wrapped in a grippy new cover, and for 2015, neon-green sponsons (that are literally no different from the other Ultra’s black ones).

The latter of the aforementioned units is swathed in a burnt orange hue and also features the same 310R racy seat. The cream of the 310 lineup is of course, the LX which brandishes the surprisingly-yet-wildly popular Jetsounds on board sound system. The 310LX’s sound system is most notably marked by the large speaker pods fixed beneath the rear view mirrors. Controlled via a soft-touch head unit mounted in the handlebar pad, the Jetsounds system automatically increases and decreases the volume with the vehicle’s speed as well.

Below is Kawasaki’s own promo, which should help get your blood pumping even if your driveway is still covered in a foot of the nasty white stuff. Take heart, Spring is coming.