APBA Statement Concerning the 2007 IJSBA Rule Changes

The APBA has been patiently waiting to see the direction that the IJSBA will go concerning technical rules for the 2007 racing season. After review of the condensed version of the 2007 IJSBA rule changes, we feel that the APBA members have some differences in what they would like to see, and there appear to be several holes in the proposed rule changes that we feel need to be better clarified. The purpose of this statement is to let the membership know where we stand on this issue and give the IJSBA time to better clarify or find a way to resolve these issues when they prepare and release a detailed description of the rule changes to be included in the 2007 IJSBA rulebook. Our intention has always been to work with the IJSBA and to have parity between U.S. racing and at the World Finals. However, we must look out for our members and do what is in the best interest of PWC racing in the U.S. that will provide opportunities for growth and insure that promoters have the ability to continue to organize successful PWC racing events.

 

Aftermarket Hulls

The IJSBA has made a new rule to allow Pro and Expert riders in Open classes to have aftermarket hulls. Allowing all Expert and Pro level riders to have aftermarket hulls in all Open classes leaves several holes as many racing classes (Amateur Runabout 1200 Open, Veteran Runabout 1200 Open, Amateur Runabout 800 Open, Amateur Ski Open) have both Novice and Expert riders in them. Both the IJSBA and APBA run these classes. An Amateur class is defined as a combined Novice and Expert class. The APBA is 100% against aftermarket hulls in Amateur racing. The IJSBA or the APBA does not offer any “Expert Open” classes. The IJSBA offers Pro Runabout 1200 Open, Pro Ski Open, and Pro-Am Runabout 800 Open. The APBA offers Pro-Am Runabout 1200 Open, Pro-Am Ski Open, and Pro-Am Runabout 800 Open. We wait for proper clarification of IJSBA’s intent of this rule as it pertains to Amateur racers utilizing aftermarket hulls.

 

Raising cc Limit in Open Ski Classes to 850cc

It is obvious that two-stroke watercraft racers are at a competitive disadvantage in horsepower
compared to the turbo charged four-stroke Hydrospace in Open class (same for the 1200 Runabout classes). This rule change affects many classes including several Amateur classes. We are not in favor of any rule change that will increase the cost of racing – especially Amateur racing. Increasing the CC limit is an additional expense for racers and maybe a better solution to create parity is to require fourstroke turbo/supercharged watercraft to utilize a boost regulator valve (set at a specific setting) in Open class. Another small concern is that there is no parity between the IJSBA and EJSBA that could hurtparticipation or several European riders at the 2007 World Finals (one organization is at 850cc and oneat 900cc). We feel that it is important that not only U.S. riders have a easy transition to be able to participate in the World Finals but the foreign riders as well.

 

Boost Regulator Valve

The APBA is pleased to see that a boost regulator valve will replace the restrictor plate in the IJSBArulebook. For many reasons, the restrictor plate was never developed or implemented into racing by the IJSBA. From the information that we have gathered concerning a boost regulator valve, this type of product seems to be feasible to produce, it does not create a chance of damaging a watercraft due to requiring its use, and it seem relatively inexpensive to produce and for the racer to purchase. The APBA feels that the IJSBA releasing information on what the boost regulator valve will be set at (Stock plus 10%) even before a product has been developed and tested is unacceptable. The APBA also feels the boost regulator valve must be set at a specific setting for each different model – not the same for all models of watercraft. The APBA feels that it may be necessary to regulate boost on turbo/supercharged boats across the board (in all classes) if we will continue to allows four stroke turbo/supercharged boats to race with non-artificially aspirated boats. This is for safety reasons and to create competitive racing that will maximize participation in the sport. Should the boost regulator valve be proven to accurately and fairly regulate boost in a way that will not disrupt the Stock classes, the APBA feels that this is a good way to integrate the four stroke turbo/supercharged watercraft into racing without creating a bunch of additional classes. The APBA and its members feel that there are already way too many classes as it is. The membership wants fewer classes and fuller lines. Should the IJSBA stick to the “Stock plus 10% rule” and it be determined that this number does not create competitive and fair racing, the APBA will determine what the boost regulator valve should be set at for each specific model for U.S. racing. This will allow those racers wanting to compete at the World Finals an opportunity to do so with a very inexpensive and minimal change to their watercraft while keeping U.S. racing fair and competitive. The final important factor that also must be considered when agreeing to allow this device is determining and developing a way for promoters be able police or tech the use of a boost regulator valve. We will work with the IJSBA and manufacturers of the boost regulator valves and OEM’s to be able to accomplish this.

 

Stock Ski Classes

Approximately one third of the APBA membership enjoyed participation in a Stock Ski class at the Pro-Am, Novice, and Junior levels in 2006. The APBA is 100% against any rule change that will disrupt these classes that have seen the most growth in PWC racing over the last few years. The APBA experienced an approximate 25% increase in participation in the Stock Ski class in 2006. The IJSBA experienced an approximate 50% decline in Stock Ski class participation at the 2006 World Finals. The APBA is certain that the decline in World Finals participation is due to the fact that the IJSBA has created and uncompetitive environment for the vast majority of the racers participating in those classes. Because of this many racers decided not to race in the Stock Ski classes. U.S. racing and its promoters cannot stand to incur that kind of drop in participation.
For the most part, the Stock Ski classes will remain basically unchanged for the 2007 season for racing at APBA events except for minor rule clarifications (such as gaskets) made by the IJSBA. The APBA will not create additional “Lites” Stock Ski classes. There are several things that need to beaccomplished over the next few months. First the boost regulator valve must be developed and tested. Second the APBA (hopefully in conjunction with the IJSBA) will determine what the boost regulator valve should be set at to provide fair and competitive racing in the class. Once the boost regulator valve has been developed, tested, readily available and proven not to disrupt this class we will allow four-stroke turbo/supercharged watercraft (currently the Hydrospace S4 is the only model) to compete in the Stock Ski class. Until this product is developed and tested the Hydrospace will be allowed to compete in Limited and Open classes provided it meets the U.S. homologation of 100 units by the required time from of June 1, 2007. Even in the Limited and Open classes the Hydrospace and other four-stroke watercraft may be required to utilize a boost regulator valve. More discussion and final decisions will be made concerning this issue at the APBA Annual meeting on January 25-26, 2007 in Los Angeles. All members are invited to attend. Any input and feedback from its members and industry is welcomed and greatly appreciated concerning the issues above. Once again, the goal is to create parity between the APBA and the IJSBA and allow U.S. racers the ability to compete at the World Finals. Please send comments and suggestions to

patrickmell@aol.com

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Thank You.
Patrick Mell
APBA PWR Director of Marketing and Events