Watercraft.com - Personal Watercraft Illustrated Online

Fri, November 21, 2008

Imagine you've just been elected Director of the IJSBA. With the fate of professional PWC racing in your hands, you've been cleared to make ONE major change to the sport as we know it. What do you choose?

Complete closed course redesign. This year saw the biggest track in history, which got poor reviews. You call for a larger sprint-style course for runabouts and shorter, faster course for stand-ups (think 1986)

Class restructuring. There were more classes this year than any other in history. You move to shorten up the list of various classes, helping to abbreviate long events, bring in new participants, retain spectators, and encourage new promoters.

One book for all. Elect a board from a fair and broad cross-section of manufacturers, aftermarket companies, riders, racers and promoters to work together to develop a single rule book to be used by ALL racing factions.

Spread the word. Work diligently to draw in outside supporters and expand the sport's presence to a broader scale. Today's athletes are faster, stronger, and sharper than ever before; it's time the world got to see them.

Race on Sunday, sell on Monday. When OEMs feel that participating in the biggest event of the year doesn't help sales, something is wrong. Fix this via stock class events, dealer showcases, and a larger vendor presence.

Fresh blood. Lower entry fees for all IJSBA events. Welcome in new riders. More novice events. Welcome in amateurs and youth riders who want to race.

Stricter homologation rules. Frankly put, there's not enough factory-built HSR-Benelli S4s to be racing in the stand-up classes. It was a mistake to let them in without the homologation rule satisfied and racers have paid the price. Drop 'em.