Photo Credit: RonnyMac.com
More than fifty riders traveled to Central Florida for the SBT P1 AquaX Kissimmee/St. Cloud Grand Prix last weekend (September 21-22), where riders from six countries lined up to battle in both the Pro and Am Enduro classes, all seeking to add points in the race for the AquaX National Championship.
Short Block Technologies (SBT), the largest personal watercraft aftermarket parts company in the world, is the title sponsor of the series, which kicked off in Daytona Beach in April. The championship receives television coverage on the Bally Sports Regional Networks.
Last weekend’s race was the 11th time East Lake Tohopekaliga has served as a AquaX host, and P1 USA Director of Operations Michelle Petro said, “We always look forward to returning because we receive such a warm welcome from both presenting sponsor Experience Kissimmee and the City of St. Cloud. We regard this event as our hometown race with it being so close to our Orlando race headquarters and the very first venue we visited in Florida in 2013.”
Photo Credit: RonnyMac.com
While full official results have not yet been released, The Watercraft Journal got a race recap and update from Monster Energy MACC Racing, with Chris MacClugage securing his first race win of the season and taking 2nd overall on Lake Toho. You can read the full recap below.
The final two race events of the SBT P1 AquaX season, scheduled for October and November, will take the riders to Florida’s Gulf Coast, with St. Petersburg and Clearwater being the host venues.
MacClugage Secures First Race Win of the Season and P2 Overall at P1 AquaX – Kissimmee/St Cloud
East Lake Toho, St Cloud, FL – September 22, 2024 – Monster Energy MACC Racing delivered an exhilarating performance at the P1 AquaX event in Kissimmee St Cloud, as Chris MacClugage clinched his first race win of the season and achieved second place overall. The action-packed weekend unfolded at East Lake Tohopekaliga, where riders from six countries competed fiercely in Round 3 of the Pro and Round 4 of the Am AquaX US National Championship.
Race 1 Pro Enduro Highlights
The weekend began with favorable conditions on Saturday, as the flatter waters of Lake Toho provided a stark contrast to the challenging surf races on the ocean and Lake Michigan. Monster Energy MACC Racing team riders Chris MacClugage and Tim Miller opted for the faster Yamaha GP Jet Ski rather than the larger more stable Yamaha FX to maximize their performance in the flatter conditions.
Photo Credit: RonnyMac.com
MacClugage got off to a strong start, trailing closely behind Dustin Farthing as they approached the first turn. MacClugage caught the wrong side of a wave coming out of the holeshot allowing Anthony Radetic to overtake him on the inside. MacClugage settled in behind Radetic on the Seadoo for most of the race. In a dramatic turn of events, Radetic’s late-race mistake enabled MacClugage to seize the opportunity and finish in second place.
Tim Miller also had a promising start, emerging from the holeshot in fourth place. He maintained this position for the majority of the race until he had to navigate around a crash in front of him during the final laps. Unfortunately this allowed Tory Snyder and Chris Landis to pass, resulting in a sixth-place finish for Miller in Race 1.
Challenging Conditions on Sunday
Sunday morning brought a shift in weather, with increased wind creating choppy white caps on East Lake Toho. After securing a third-place finish in Race 2, MacClugage and the Monster Energy MACC Racing team made crucial adjustments to his jet ski setup to better handle the rougher conditions. The team’s hard work and MacClugage’s improved level of fitness paid off, as he led from the start in Race 3, ultimately claiming his first race win of the season and securing second place overall for the weekend. Photo Credit: RonnyMac.com Tim Miller contributed valuable points to the team with another consistent performance, finishing the weekend in seventh place overall.
Photo Credit: RonnyMac.com
Cooper Caldwell Dominates AM 200 Class
In the AM 200 Class, Cooper Caldwell delivered an outstanding performance, achieving a clean sweep. Caldwell won Race 1 and engaged in some tough battles in Race 2 before emerging victorious in Race 3, securing an overall first-place finish for the weekend. His impressive performance has already secured him the 2024 AM 200 Class championship title, with one race remaining in the season.
Monster Energy MACC Racing extends a massive shoutout to all our incredible sponsors and dedicated pit crew. Your unwavering support is what makes weekends like these possible! Join us next time as the team competes in Round 4 of the P1 AquaX National Championships in St. Petersburg, FL, from October 18-20. For more information and updates, visit Maccracing.com and follow us on social media.
