Greetings to the Personal Watercraft Racing Community. This announcement is an update for the things going on with the International Jet Sports Boating Association as we head out of winter and into the spring season.
Before we begin the update, the IJSBA sends our deepest condolences to those who have suffered from the recent catastrophes in Japan. Japan is very near and dear to the heart of the PWC culture with numerous racers, riders, engineers, OEM?s, engineers, builders, journalists, and enthusiasts hailing from the country that is practically synonymous with the Ski style watercraft. IJSBA urges everyone in the community, who is able to do so, to send some sort of assistance to help those in need. IJSBA, along with the JJSF (Japan Jet Sports Federation) has donated all of the 2011 fees to relief efforts. We are also working with quakysense to apply all of the net IJSBA profits from Japanese DVD sales to aiding those displaced by this terrible tragedy. If you are aware of anything specific someone from the PWC community needs in Japan, please bring it to our attention.
IJSBA International Races are showing strong signs for a great competition year. As this bulletin is being posted, the first IJSBA South American Cup in Peru has just concluded and has set the tone for a stronger repeat in 2012. Announcements are just around the corner for the 2011 IJSBA European Championships. Australia?s Nationals are just a few weeks away. We are expecting an announcement from South Africa on a new event coming up, and the King?s Cup details should be posted any day. Add in an Asian Cup series, Malaysia?s World Invitational, a Baltic Series, and the very popular Alpine Adria Cup to the list of high profile events that are sure to set new standards in racing. We are just a couple of weeks away from Texas? R5Waterx beginning their series along with Pro Hydrocross in Florida. APBA?s popular Parker, Arizona event is just around the corner and hundreds of competitors are in the final prep stages to take part in the UWP/IJSBA US Tour. The growth in IJSBA Racing over the last couple of years should really be noticeable this year- especially at the World Finals where IJSBA is already receiving a high volume of inquiries from competitors planning to attend.
The 2011 quakysense 30th anniversary IJSBA World Finals is going to arrive faster than we realize. As of today, we are exactly six months away from World Finals Opening Practice and things are moving quickly. This section especially applies to vendors. A lot of exposure is being focused towards this event and we have already attracted several new vendors who have heard the success of the World?s PWC Trade Show portion of the event. We are expecting a sellout of vendor space much earlier than normal.
Furthermore, IJSBA will be doing our promotional mailing much earlier this year and we would like to feature every participant and sponsor in the event. IJSBA urges vendors and sponsors to contact us as early as possible to ensure that we can offer maximum exposure to you in all of our advertising efforts. Send any sponsorship or vendor inquiries to [email protected].
Competitors should also use this opportunity to send in your suggestions and special requests immediately. This is your chance to shape the look of the event and the special celebrations and tributes that we will have to commemorate 30 years of World Championship PWC Racing. If you have class change recommendations or other improvements, then send them because the sooner we get them the more of a chance there is to implement your ideas.
McGraw Insurance is Offering The Greatest World Finals Promotion Ever With Their Highway To Havasu Program! This is a pretty big claim but it certainly fits. Here it is in their own words: ?Highway to Havasu (H2H) is an event series and sweepstakes for anyone that appreciates the pure pleasure of powersports.H2H roars through motorcycle races and special events all year long, leading up to IJSBA World Finals at Lake Havasu, AZ – a weekend of intense racing to crown the international jet ski champions.
Someone will win a VIP Experience at Havasu, during the 30th anniversary of World Finals. Private jet. Deluxe hotel. All access to everything. The winner and a guest are on the A-List for possibly the best party in powersports.? Entries begin at the end of April. Visit www.HighwaytoHavasu.com or see the link on the IJSBA home page.
IJSBA is seeking your input on rewriting our policies for the criteria of requirements for the United States National Tour. This is another chance for you, the racing community, to get involved and tell us how you want things to evolve. Put some thoughtful comments together and explain why you think your suggested changes should be applied and send them to [email protected]. All comments will be discussed and deliberated upon during the next IJSBA Executive Committee meeting. [Note: Many of you have sent in the suggestion that the US tour include more stops on the western portions of the USA. You are welcome to continue to send this suggestion in. Please be aware that the current locations of tour stops are based upon sponsoring cities that can host an event within a timeline required to have a cost effective tour that doesn?t spread competition dates out too far out or require zigzagging across the country.] The IJSBA tour has been evolving at an excellent pace and we want to make sure that your input is part of that continuing growth and evolution.
IJSBA encourages everyone participating in the 2011 USA Tour (and all events for that matter) to try to share resources. Gas prices have been climbing lately. We hope this is temporary and that we see a reduction soon. We would like to encourage everyone to try to share resources and share trailers and vehicles wherever possible in order to keep expenses down. Sharing your trailer can be a great way to make new team mates and expand the relationship into sharing pitting duties, food costs, and the other list of expenses that come along with racing on the road. Please use the IJSBA classifieds to advertise any availability you might have to share space in your rig. Persons looking for space should likewise post an inquiry on www.ijsba.com(classifieds).
IJSBA Announces New World Finals and US National Tour Class: Amateur Runabout Normally Aspirated. The IJSBA would like to direct competitors to a new class that will be offered at the 2011 World Finals and the 2011 UWP/IJSBA National Tour. Amateur Runabout Normally Aspirated is a combined class of Two Stroke Runabouts built to Limited Class specifications and Normally Aspirated Four Stroke Runabouts built to Stock Class specifications. This will be a new class on the Tour and take the place of Runabout Lites at World Finals. Classic Runabout 1300 Limited is scheduled to be offered in 2011 but is planned to be integrated into the Normally Aspirated Class in 2012.
IJSBA is also currently receiving input on other classes that can be combined (ie Runabout 800 LTD/Four Stroke Stock (under 1400cc), Runabout 800 Superstock/Four Stroke Stock (Super/Turbo allowed), Runabout 800 Limited/Runabout 1300 Stock, Runabout 1300 Open/Runabout Four Stroke Limited (Super/Turbo allowed)- these are just some of the suggestions we have received). Please contact IJSBA and give us your opinion of what can, or perhaps more importantly, what cannot be combined. We are trying our best to consolidate classes and your input is integral to doing this right.
Attention Promoters and Affiliates: The IJSBA is doing our annual bulk buy of buoys, starting band, and other racing equipment- including awards. New for 2011 is the bulk purchase of number plates 1-10. These plates will be available in an attractive unfinished metal look with a design allowing for the same number plate to be used for all classes and ranks. There will be room on the plate to customize information for your series, sponsor, and category of recipient. Please contact IJSBA if you are interested in participating in any of our bulk buys.
Temporary Office Position Available Through May,2011. The IJSBA still has an office position available for temporary part time work from now until June 1st. Employment is available for an administrative assistant two to three days per week. Duties include processing memberships, filling product orders, office and telephone reception, and setting appointments. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel, good communication skills, and thorough organization are required. Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] if you are interested in this position.
IJSBA Working With Manufacturers To Keep Two Stroke Ski Alive. The IJSBA is working with a couple of equipment manufacturers to ensure that Two Stroke Ski technology will continue on past 2011. IJSBA will have new equipment to prepare, or keep sustained, any racers who want to compete in Ski Lites and (Two Stroke) Ski Limited classes. While IJSBA fully supports and encourages the proliferation of Four Stroke technology, Two Stroke Ski Racing is an important element of our sport. There is plenty of life left in this class even if this type of PWC will no longer be available on the dealer showroom floor. IJSBA will begin announcing the plans for the future of Two Stroke Ski over the next couple of months and should have some exciting things to show the public at the 2011 World Finals.
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