After 4 hectic months of jet ski shows and competitions, the 2009 season has been officially placed in the record books. This year was not unlike many previous seasons. To complete the 2009 IJSBA Great Lakes Watercross Tour, all 7 rounds, it took me 3 freestyle watercraft and Greg Brock 2 watercraft of his own to successfully complete the tour. It is not unusual for a high-performance watercraft to need rebuild after an extensive season of practice, shows, and competition. For Team Twangled, this means the reconstruction of an entire fleet of freestyle watercraft for the 2010 campaign.
Pictured above is Team Twangled rider Gary Burtka flipping out during a freestyle competition in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Photo by Linda Hyke (thanks).
2009 Had many highlights to mention. I am stoked to say that I was able to win 6 of the 7 Great Lakes Watercross Tour events in Pro Freestyle, beating teammate Greg Brock out for the overall Pro Freestyle Championship. This season also marked my return to competitive racing, which I had been on hiatus from since the summer of 1997 when I committed to freestyle in pursuit of my IJSBA National (Tour) Championship.
This season I built a 650 Yamaha Super Jet for the Vintage 650 Open class. It was a crazy year on the race course and one I am sure to remeber for years to come. After 11 years of competing in only freestyle, I realize that I had not lost my racing legs, claiming 6 wins (out of 7 events) on the way to the Vintage 650 Open overall championship. I was even able to grab a 5th overall in the Great Lakes Watercross Tour Surf Triple Crown in the ski division. More helmet cam video of the racing action coming soon! Stay tuned to TWANGLED.
I have to give Scott Hyke, the GLWCT promoter, a huge thanks for putting together a great series. His staff is awsome, thanks everyone for all of your hard work. The groups of racers on this tour are the best group of guys I have ridden with in years. These racers were a group that regularly helped each other both off and on the water.
Check out the final Great Lakes Watercross Tour newsletter here. Complete with pictures, articles, and overall points from the entire season.
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