January 5,2008 - IJSBA Announces 2008 Rule Book Changes and 2008 World Finals Class List
Jan. 09, 2008
By PWI
Managing Director’s note: This release was due on January 2. I apologize for this information being delayed. The weather in California coupled with needed clarifications from overseas colleagues caused unavoidable interruptions. These interruptions will not prevent a printed rule book from being ready for shipment by February 1. –SF
The IJSBA is pleased to announce the fundamental rule changes for the 2008 IJSBA Rule Book. Over 2007, hundreds of suggestions reached the IJSBA office. The majority of these suggestions were duplicate ideas and were easily placed on an agenda. The bulk of concerns with the regulatory policies continue to involve the coexistence of Two and Four Stroke technologies. The following were frequently repeated themes in the suggestions received in 2007:
- no more changes to stock classes, keep Lites rather than allow further stock class modifications. A significantly smaller number (but not insignificant in importance) of suggestions requested more modifications for Two Stroke Ski PWC in stock class.
- allow Two Stroke Open Class Ski PWC to gain more horsepower.
- cap Runabout Four Stroke Limited Rules where they are now.
- bring back Pro/Am 800 Superstock and keep Amateur 800
- classify stock PWC by performance.
- increase payout for Pro Classes.
- let high placing Experts experience Pro classes with the ability to return to Expert if they do not place well in Pro.
- create a system to ensure top tier Freestyle competitors stay in the Pro Class.
1. 2008 World Finals Class List
The following class list was approved by the IJSBA Board of Directors:
Pro Classes
Pro Ski
Pro Runabout
Pro Freestyle
Pro Am Classes
Runabout Stock*
Runabout 800 Superstock**, ***
Ski Stock
Women’s Ski Limited
Pro Am Veterans Ski Limited*** PENDING SEASON OUTCOME
Pro Am Runabout Limited***
Expert Classes
Expert Ski Limited
Expert Runabout Limited
Expert Veterans Ski Open
Master’s Ski Open*
Master’s Ski Stock*,***
Sport Modified***
Women’s Runabout
GP Ski
GP Runabout
*Class Not Available to Certified Pro Racers
** See Superstock Adendum Below
*** Requires early registration of more than 12 entries to become final. If there are not 12 entries by the early registration deadline then the entries will roll over into a consolidated class (a single Runabout 800 Open or the closest Stock, Limited, or Open Class). Junior Runabout requires 10 entries or it will be removed from the list. Junior Sick Trick requires 5 entries or it will be removed from the list. Early Registration will begin in July and end on the first week of September.
What Racers can see from this class list is a comprehensive menu that meets the requests of a competitor driven sport while laying the ground work for rapidly removing classes when actual demand does not meet the stated demand for a particular class of racing. Novice, Expert, and Pro Classes have been kept narrow. The bulk of requested specialized classes tend to be Amateur ranked in order to give these classes the largest potential to demonstrate viability. We believe this list to be one of the closest lists that reflects the PWC in the contemporary race market and the classes that are being showcased from a global perspective.
2. Aftermarket ECU Provision to remain in the Stock Class
Agenda item number two, Shall The IJSBA Remove The Allowance For Aftermarket ECU In The Stock Class, did not pass. Therefore, all Stock Class PWC may continue to use aftermarket ECU subject to the restrictions of the IJSBA Rule Book.
This was the most discussed and debated item on the 2008 Rule Book agenda. There is probably not a single person that does not agree with the principle of scaling Stock Class racing back to more closely resemble a strictly OEM unit. As always, the obstacles of feasibility and projected outcome have the strong force of keeping objectives confined to the state of being an ideal rather than a reality. The public comments tended to mirror the concerns of the Board Members in that removing the aftermarket ECU provision is a good idea but enforcement is difficult and where it is possible, the cost of enforcement may be too large to bear. This is particularly the case when suggested method of enforcement includes stockpiling numerous ECU (an investment into the thousands for each individual PWC to be policed) and accessories (some of which may not be available, such as reprogramming software and tools which are necessary to calibrate the “control ECU” to the PWC to be policed). While it (possibly) becomes easier to acquire some of this equipment at bigger races like the World Finals, the impact of a difficult to impossible regulatory scheme further places tensions on the grass roots events. The inability to police aftermarket ECU was cited as the primary factor of those who voted not to remove the provision.
2a. NOT RELEVANT
Item 2a was a vote to determine if Two Stroke PWC should be exempt if item 2 passed. Since item 2 did not pass, item 2a was moot.
3. Stock Class PWC to only use same model OEM cylinders.
The IJSBA SHALL NOT allow Stock Class PWC to be affixed with cylinders that are from the same OEM manufacturer as the receiving PWC but from a different model than the receiving PWC.
The IJSBA Board of Directors voted against allowing Stock Class PWC to affix cylinders from different models of the same OEM manufacturer. Public comment was scattered on this issue. Most comments preferred not to allow this provision with some comments supporting everything from cylinders to aftermarket pumps. The failure of this item to pass creates some “grey areas” for how the Superjet RR shall be addressed for updating and backdating purposes. The IJSBA Board of Directors are each being sent a supplemental form to decide the policy on how other model Superjet’s shall be allowed to update or backdate from Superjet RR parts. The IJSBA plans to release a stated policy within 7 days of this publication.
4. Limited Class Rules now contain Runabout Four Stroke Limited Provisions.
Item 4, Shall the IJSBA integrate the Runabout Four Stroke Limited Rules into the Standard Limited Classes, was passed by the IJSBA Board of Directors, as was item 4a which limited the reach of these rules to Runabouts only.
The IJSBA has determined that the market is sufficiently prepared to consolidate Four Stroke Limited Rules into the standard Limited Class. This determination was reached from the conclusion that existing Two Stroke Limited Class Runabouts now have an exclusive class, Classic Runabout Limited, to meet their needs where the market has such a demand.
Two Stroke Runabout Limited Class competitors had been expressing concerns that their needs would best be met by having an exclusive Two Stroke Limited Class. These concerns cited that the newer Four Stroke technology, even in Stock Class form, was eclipsing the performance available from the Two Stroke powerplant. It is important to note that the Two Stroke Limited PWC have still showed tremendous success in the standard Limited Classes and we expect that the competitors of these craft shall enjoy further accolades as they can compete in both the Stand Limited and Classic Limited Classes.
4b. Four Stroke Ski PWC shall be allowed to utilize aftermarket intercoolers in the Limited Class subject to size and boost restrictions.
In order to best provide for engine reliability, the IJSBA Board of Directors has voted to allow Ski Limited competitors who use Four Stroke Turbocharged PWC to utilize an aftermarket intercooler that provides no greater than 25% more cooling provided that the boost limit is set at no higher than the OEM level plus 10%.
In 2007, the IJSBA allowed Four Stroke Ski competitors to strengthen the seams of their OEM intercooler to provide for greater engine protection. In the Limited Class, the IJSBA requires that the boost limit on Four Stroke Turbocharged Ski PWC is set no higher than 200% of the OEM boost level (14 psi for the only Turbocharged Ski currently homologated). The IJSBA will allow the Ski Limited competitor to utilize an aftermarket intercooler that provides no greater than 25% more cooling exchange. If a competitor uses any aftermarket intercooler then that PWC must have the boost set no higher than 110% of the OEM boost level (7.7 psi for the only Turbocharged Ski currently homologated).
5. Open Class Rules will now contain a Superstock Addendum to provide for better clarification and to allow more options for competition markets which are still comprised of PWC built from the late 1990’s to early 2000’s.
Item 5, Creating a Superstock Addendum, was passed by the IJSBA Board of Directors. The purpose of this addendum was to meet the needs of several competition markets which have, as a base, PWC technology of 1997-2002. Further, “Superstock” is still a commonly used term to describe the Open Class and is often used to reference the previously mentioned time period. It has been difficult to define which classes older technology PWC (ie 800 Runabouts) fell into because provisions for Aftermarket Hulls were not meant to apply. Therefore, The IJSBA Rule Book shall contain a Superstock Addendum which announces which sections of the Open Class Rules do not apply if the Superstock Label is affixed to a class.
During the period of 1997-2002, the modification rules were not significantly changed and OEM PWC Technology stayed relatively fixed. The arrival of Super/Turbocharged powerplants affixed in Runabout hulls that were inspired for recreation created a demand for more intensive modifications in the Open Class (formerly Superstock). This demand did not exist in 800 Runabout Classes. Some race markets have, as a bulk of their competition base, a large constituency of racers from the 1997-2002 era. It has been difficult and confusing for them to established properly labeled classes to preserve this technology. This Superstock Addendum provides clarification and more options for the grass-roots markets.
6. Open Class Rules allow Two Stroke Ski PWC to utilize aftermarket cylinders.
Item 6, whether the IJSBA should allow Two Stroke Ski PWC to affix aftermarket cylinders, was passed by the IJSBA Board of Directors. This item reflected significant suggestions from the public to allow for greater evolution of the Two Stroke Powerplant in the Ski Open Class to allow in order for more usable horsepower to be utilized.
The evolution and development of Two Stroke Technology in PWC has come to an end. There are absolutely no indicators that any new Two Stroke powerplants are to be designed or put into new model PWC. This has no bearing on the fact that the Two Stoke powerplant is still the most used in the Ski Classes and that this trend will likely continue through 2008. While it is bad policy to redesign OEM PWC for Stock Classes, Open Classes were designed with the purpose of extracting high amounts of horsepower by the use of aftermarket and OEM technology while keeping in mind some form of a ceiling on allowable modifications. Now that we can be more certain that Ski PWC are going to finish their Two Stroke runs with the current engine platforms, we can be safe in permitting reasonable allowances for aftermarket cylinders in the Open Class. This move should provide for competitors who prefer the contemporary Two Stroke technology to enjoy a longer competitive life with their current base equipment.
7. Engine Displacement Limits Set for Ski PWC
Item 7, Setting the default Ski Engine Displacement Limits for Ski PWC, was passed by the IJSBA Board of Directors. The default displacements took the existing maximum displacements and made a provision for coming PWC as well as the aftermarket cylinder allowance created by Item 6. Item 6 also defined the displacements for Runabout PWC.
The following are the default displacements (and maximum displacements) for the Ski Classes:
Ski Stock and Ski Limited
Normally Aspirated Two Stroke: 850cc
Normally Aspirated Four Stroke: 1100cc
Super/Turbocharged Two or Four Stroke: 800cc
Ski Open/Superstock
Normally Aspirated Two or Four Stroke: 1100cc
Super/Turbocharged Two or Four Stroke: 800cc
The following are the default displacements (and maximum displacements) for the Runabout Classes:
All Runabouts shall have an overall displacement of no greater than 2000cc. If displacement exceeds 1600cc then the maximum displacement shall be the OEM displacement of that model plus the additional volume created by a single overbore of each cylinder. The IJSBA shall publish the displacements once calculated.
8. [Not a Rulebook Change] Freestyle Competitors, at the World Finals, must place in the TOP FIVE positions at least once in three calendar years in order to continue competing at the Pro level. The time measured shall begin with the competitor’s first World Finals appearance as a Pro or the last top five finish, whichever is later. If a World Finals field is greater than fifteen Freestyle Competitors then a top 50% finish shall count as a top Five finish but no finish lower than 8th place shall count as a top five finish using this alternative calculating method.
The IJSBA Board of Directors, in seeking to keep Pro Freestyle as a showcase of the most highly skilled Freestyle competitors, has voted to implement a policy that requires competitors to be at the top of their field in order to continue competing as a Pro at the World Finals. This will ensure that the Pro Freestyle Show is filled with performances of the highest caliber.
9. [Not a Rulebook Change] The IJSBA will begin establishing a method of certifying Pro level competitors who are top level athletes that compete only in premiere classes. This list will allow Certified Pro racers to maintain the accolades commonly attributed to Pro license holders while keeping the lines full and allowing for skilled Expert competitors to begin experiencing Pro competitions.
The IJSBA community is comprised of a wide array of competitors. Many of these competitors are multi year veterans who are difficult to classify by skill. Many Veteran aged competitors are competitive in the Pro classes but do not always dominate the Veteran Class fields when competing against skilled competitors who concentrate on the Veteran Class. Some former Pro’s have scaled down their regime and compete dominantly in Pro Am Stock classes. There still is a global supply of exclusive Pro competitors who continue to focus solely on the premiere Pro classes such as Pro Runabout and Pro Ski.
Pro competitors are those whose dominant focus is setting the highest possible athletic standard for the premiere class. These Pro Classes are buttressed by a contingent of competitive athletes that seek to make strong standings in a class that is helmed by the world’s bet PWC racers. In order to help groom future Pro competitors to lead this class, the IJSBA has been allowing top placing Experts to compete in the Pro Class at the World Finals with certain conditions placed upon them if they finish in a top position in the Pro event. While these conditions have helped protect the Amateur Classes from “sandbagging,” it leaves the possibility of diminishing the rewards for traditional Pro license holders.
In order to balance the need to groom Pro caliber racers with the need to ensure that established Pro racers can continue the expectations due from a Pro level class, the IJSBA will establish a method of certifying those Pros who compete only in these events. Competitors that compete in Stock Classes, Veteran or Master’s Classes, or other classes that are not established to showcase the Pro racer shall not be eligible for certification. Certified Pro Racers will be eligible for higher payouts for podium finishes at the World Finals. Certified Pro racers will also be eligible for per diem pay for top finishes if they do not make the podium.
This is the complete list of fundamental Rule Book and policy changes approved by the IJSBA Board of Directors for the 2008 year. If you have any questions or comments, please contact the IJSBA at info@ijsba.com or by calling 1-(714)-751-8695.
Kevin S. Shaw
Editor
Personal Watercraft Illustrated 3505-M Cadillac Ave.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 751-7433 (ext.237)
editor@watercraft.com
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