Your thoughts on next years races

[Mike H]

i figured i would start a thread seeing what everyone thoughts are on next years races.... places you liked/didnt like, would like to go to, 1 day or 2 day events etc.

i'll start. based on last years race's ill have to say that one of my favorite was chowchilla so of course i vote for a 2 day race there!

although it was close and a nice place @ tracy you cant see the whole back side and ends up being a giant slalom soooo... maybe a 1 day if they'd like to have us back or how about back to SSVR, home turf of the DJSA

[Seadooracer9]

I liked chowchilla, nice site, cool water, and closer for us socalers!!!

[TIOARI]

Good thread Mike, who'd have thought that could come from a guy on a 300....

A few changes are in the works for the schedule. I love Suisun but I think we might take a break from the cement walls and the launching challenges until we figure out a way to better protect the guest docks. With a little planning we'll probably try and go back in 2014 but right now we have 7 or 8 race days with 20 race sites to try and pick from...

This is what I'm working on right now for a 10 race series ~
1) Tracy - April - 2 day - Jrs - camping - jrs & qual sat
2-3) SSVR - May - 2 day - Jrs - camping
4) Chowchilla - June- 1 day - Jrs - camping
5-6) Camp Far West - July - 2 day - Jrs - camping
7) Lake Yosemite or Mod Resv - Aug - 1 day
8-9) Lake Minden - Sept - 2 day - Jrs - camping (jet effect)
10) Lodi Lake or Folsom - Oct - 1 day

* all 2 days will be run with Jrs 1st on sat morning followed by 2 heat format for regular racing, and a 3 heat format sunday for regular racing

* Pending > "Outlaws in Reno" weekend.... sat qualifying - sat night race / sun day race (Reno will not be a series race if we run there)

Tracy - has some flaws, but what makes it 2nd to none is the people who run it - and their sincere appreciation of our sport coming to their Lake. John and Karen went way overboard in trying to balance 2 events on the same day and seeing all of us have a great time on short notice, and they have a lot of great ideas for seeing us have even better times in the future. In this sport, people like Mark and Debi Nunes will be remembered forever for all they did for us... John and Karen are the same type of people, and for pwc racing to survive we have to give luv back to the folks who luv us. Tracy will be the only single sunday race of the year. Junior time trials and match racing saturday morning, followed by open practice and time trials for series racers. Sunday will be race-1 of the series in a 3 heat format.

I hope for us to be able to return to SSVR to remember some good times, and to make make some new memories on a 2 day race weekend. Most everyone in this group digs camping - and the Pete Zernik bonfires that go with it. I've tried to select as many sites as possible that have camping available so you can put all those toy haulers and RV's to good use. I've also tried to pick race sites with beach access for start gates.

Chowchilla - is an awesome site and the city really enjoys it when the outlaws come to town, but closing the lake to the public for 2 full days probably isn't going to work. Because its a drive and a half away and I also have to worry about challenges the staff faces to be there, we'll be looking at a 1 day race on saturday, but everyone will be encouraged to stay overnight like last year before heading home.

Camp Far West - it just might be possible CFW has given us the best times we've ever seen, on and off the race course! Gary and Brandy are awesome hosts, as are all the people who work there and theres a reason CFW has become the unofficial training ground of DJSA. In years past, I've always started or ended the season at CFW so that we wouldn't be running during the prime season and causing an imposition to the park, but apparently - we don't cause an imposition! With Jet Ski Cove being pretty secluded and easy to work in regards to keeping non participants out of the area, we're going to shoot for a 2 day race in the middle of July at CFW. Race 5 on sat and race 6 on sunday.

August I'd like to run a 1 day race at a new site at Lake Yosemite near Merced, or at Modesto Reservoir. I like running at San Luis and Chowchilla because it makes it an easier drive for the socal racers, and Yosemite or Modesto follow that intent as well. I will be checking out both these sites next week and will have a better idea where we'll be after doing so.

September we'll be at Lake Minden in Nicolaus for our 8th "Jet Effect" rider appreciation race. Get those RC cars ready now!

October we'll wrap the season up after you all get back from WF at either a new site at Lodi Lake, or at Folsom's Granite Bay.

Thats what I've been working on the past few weeks, and I think this years series will be just as much fun as the previous 7, but the thing that makes it all work - is participation. I will be working with Joe Orr to come up with a djsa flier once the schedule dates are set in stone, and I am going to ask as many of you as possible to print out 20 or so, and take them to ALL the shops in your area where you live. So many people with skis don't know racing is available, and the more people we get on the startlines makes it alot easier for us to grow and do bigger and better things! Trust me - you don't want me turning 70 and knocking on your door at night to borrow food!
(I can hear Dylan Zernik's voice through the door now saying - "Dad there's some old dude at the door asking for spare change" and Pete's voice saying "just tell him to go away")

All 2 day races will incorporate the juniors running first thing saturday morning followed by a 2 heat day for the adults. The next day will be a 3heat day. Last year we had so many kids, it caused longer than expected delays running them during the breaks inbetween heats. This year the kids will run like we did at Minden in October.

This year most all our courses will be shorter, and tighter for the X-2's, standups, and 800 runabouts and Sport sits. The goal being closer and more exciting racing. All our courses will have an added "back 40" for the Sprints and SCXP Sits so they can safely unleash some of that raw horsepower we all love seeing before they merge back onto the regular course.

Lastly, with some staff members expanding their families or moving up the ladders at work, a few might not be as available as they were before to fill slots on saturdays. It's difficult to try balancing "racing a race" with "working a race" but for those not actively racing and who want to stay involved - if you have any interest in working as a scorekeeper or as a flag official, please send me an email to [email protected] listing what you'd like to do and what experience you might have. Experience is not required, but the 15 people on this race team are motivated and focussed on what they do and I need anyone interested in joining that team to be the same... I might even be looking to backfill Team Orange with a couple slots. If you're an advanced rider, in good physical condition, with previous race or rescue experience, lets talk...

It's been suggested that I take a break from the flag tower which would give me a better opportunity to oversee everything taking place from a different vantage point instead of being stuck in one place and not always able to give undivided attention to issues that arise. Makes sense - but the person on that tower needs to work in direct contact with Stan and the girls, and stay totally focussed on EVERYTHING taking place on the water. That person has to always know where the leaders are while still maintaining watch over the rest of the field. You have to watch for those getting a little too close in the corners and keep them in check. You have to watch racer's postures and know when they are getting tired and anticipate potential falls or spills, and you have to be able to let all of them know they just did a great job in the heat regardless of where they finished. People who are upbeat, motivated, and who have previous race experience would be ideal for this slot, plus I'll always be around to give you plenty of breaks!!! Again, anyone interested, shoot me an email.

The average for working a race is about $100 a day - unless entries were light and I don't have enough gas money to get home at the end of the day. Every now and then I'm able to hook up the staff with a nice hotel room if its a 2 day race, or take care of camping fees. You definitely won't get rich, but I can honestly say that working with this particular group of people goes far beyond any dollar amount. It's a pretty awesome team of people that I'm damn proud to be associated with!!!

2 words - "Lets Race"

jim

[FullTilt429]

Jim, I'll be on the beach this year and would love to help out. As much as I will miss racing for awhile, it would be awesome to get a front row seat to the action, and be able to help my fellow racers as part of team orange, or any other way you guys seem fit. Just point in the direction you need me!

[Mike H]

So Lodi lake is bad ass and right in town with some good advertising it could be a VERY good turn out as far as actual spectators. Do it in conjunction with the Lodi wine fest and our exposure would be TREMENDOUS!!!! Really, seriously, the wine fest has a major turnout.... So I heard...

Which venues will be rolling start? Looks like Only Tracy? or did the shoreline seal enough to allow the beach starts?

[Yamabooeey]

Wow, very impressive on the changes. Picking sites where beaches are available, shorter and more technical courses, wearing less hats (delegating) and most important still have a passionate hunger putting on these races. Thank you for another great upcoming season, Jim.

Folsom is nice, but too pricey for a race.

[BigHaag]

Your thoughts on next years races

Just an FYI with Modesto Res...they don't allow you to bring in gas in fuel cans. Unless they change that rule for the race, then that will be a problem...obviously

[Dnebout]

Hello All,
A bit of a Noob to this site and Jet Skis. I stopped by your race out of the Pittsburg Marina last month to check things out with a buddy of mine. Anyway interested in racing my X2 in your series this year and he just bought a 750SX. We're stoked! Is their anybody in the Martinez are that I could talk to about what is needed for me to race with you all. I have a ton of questions. ie. Is the X2 class an open class with 750cc motors? Is there an 40+ class (old man) in X2 and 750 stand up?

Thanks,
Dave
925-768-5577

[800AMSOIL4U]

I know myself and quite a few others woukd love to see something like the hydrodrags in Florida. There is no way I can race closed course due to all of my previous accidents my back will not allow it I would do the drag racing though.

[Yamabooeey]

Hello All,
A bit of a Noob to this site and Jet Skis. I stopped by your race out of the Pittsburg Marina last month to check things out with a buddy of mine. Anyway interested in racing my X2 in your series this year and he just bought a 750SX. We're stoked! Is their anybody in the Martinez are that I could talk to about what is needed for me to race with you all. I have a ton of questions. ie. Is the X2 class an open class with 750cc motors? Is there an 40+ class (old man) in X2 and 750 stand up?



Thanks,
Dave
925-768-5577

Welcome Dave,

The X-2 class is an open class with a motor cap of 800cc. Do whatever you want as long it's under 800cc, but then again I know the guys wouldn't mine if you even have a triple in there. As for requirements, must have medical insurance, safety gear like a helmet, pfd, shoes must be worn for racing, gloves/goggles are optional. You can also pm Jim (TIOARI) for questions.

[Dnebout]

Thanks Yama,
I saw that a couple of your top 2012 X2 finishers are from the Concord area. That's pretty close to me.
My X2 is about as modded as you can mod a 650. Just don't know if it'll keep up with 750s and 800s. I'm gonna start a different thread to keep this one on topic.

[ou812]

I may be in for a CC race if there's an event that will have an enduro mix with CC.. SSVR maybe?
Jim, if you have any enduro's this year SSVR supercourse and pittsburg are my pics.. It looks like the bay race may be hard for you to pull off, no? I don't have the red #812 RXT anymore but I have something else in red/black up my sleeve...

[800AMSOIL4U]

I may be in for a CC race if there's an event that will have an enduro mix with CC.. SSVR maybe?
Jim, if you have any enduro's this year SSVR supercourse and pittsburg are my pics.. It looks like the bay race may be hard for you to pull off, no? I don't have the red #812 RXT anymore but I have something else in red/black up my sleeve...

A black eye coming.? JK

[800AMSOIL4U]

Does no one want a drag race venue?

[Yamabooeey]

Does no one want a drag race venue?

I don't think too many people have their boats set up for drags. How about side by side slolam races? Two separate courses, each do a run on each side. We had a race like that 2 years ago and was a blast. 2 of the fastest times go against each other. Could be a blaster and a RXP, lol.