Category Archives: RacingNews(ENG)

RacingNews(ENG)

Emmanuel Pannousis, CEO of Akropolis Jet Raid explains on his formal announcement the reason of the reschedule of Akropolis Jet Raid.

The date of GREECE has been re-scheduled to May 2011. The organization of the JETRAID has considered that the current conditions hindered the pilots of disputing THE WORLD CUP of RAIDS of URUGUAY in November for the proximity of dates and in common accordance with the local organization decided to delay the event and to dispute it in the 2011 like WORLD CUP. Emmanuel Pannousis, CEO of Akropolis Jet Raid will soon release the official announcement for the Re-Schedule of Akropolis Jet Raid.

Spec Ski: We have all heard the stories about the two stroke stand up not being around after 2011. Will it, will it not, will someone mass produce four stroke stand ups again, will they be reasonably priced, would they be sold around the world? We honestly don't know the answers to any of these things. One thing is for sure, the IJSBA will be prepared to keep Stand Up Ski type PWC racing alive as long as there is PWC racing and since this is going to be forever, so too will be Ski Racing. The IJSBA has been at work designing a Spec constructed Ski division for a couple of years and this is about to become a reality. We will take your input through voting on several parameters such as: minimum weight; minimum/maximum length; displacement; number of cylinders; whether or not to allow super/turbochargers; type of materials for hull composition; minimum/maximum fuel storage; aftermarket support; etc. The IJSBA is already in talks with a few engine companies to make available IJSBA approved engine packages in various configurations. The idea is that engines would be kept in the state as produced by the manufacturer with some degree of aftermarket enhancement. These engines would be placed in the hull of the competitors choice so long as the hull met the approved specifications. These parameters are conceptual at this time but you, the competitor, will help to finalize them by online voting. The IJSBA has no plans to offer this for 2011 but is eyeing this for 2012 when we can be more certain of what the future of Ski racing will be. This may be something IJSBA offers independent of whether Ski type PWC are produced. Whatever the case, the IJSBA will be prepared for Ski racing to remain a central component of PWC Racing. Honestly this is good news for the sport. The sport that started declining from 2004.

The Japanese Freestyle riders are already in Havasu, at least most of them as far as we know, in order to get familiar with the water, to get rid of the jetlag and prepare for the World Finals. Top rider Fumikasu Watanabe is also there and he plans to put a real show and fight for the World Title. Freestyle is very popular in Japan whether the riders use Ski’s or X-2’s.

Frenchman Teddy Pons plans to attend Akropolis Jet Raid on a nearly stock Yamaha since his main craft is already shipped to China. Therefore, by the time that Akropolis Jet Raid will start there is no time left for his main boat to return in Europe. His race craft is being prepared by Audemar. Actually, Audemar thought it a lot to compete to this race since the loss of its special prepared Yamaha SUV that was lost in Argentina Jet Raid and finally found in Spain with the engine and carbon parts missing…

Multi time World and National champion Nicolas Rius plans to race this year at the World Finals in Havasu in two Classes. He will enter GP Ski and Pro Runabout Open. He had seen Nicolas last year preparing a Ski with new sponsons and other tricky parts so you better count on him. His Runabout was very fast last year and he proved it at King’s Cup and in Japan. We hope that he will not have any issues at the Technical control this year (Tech ispection at the WF has become mild over the last years anyway) and he will participate in both classes.

Chris Mac Clugage won on Bullett 1100 SX-R hull race craft late in August in Pro Ski Open Class and this proves that Chris is determined to make a strong come back in Pro Open Ski class in Havasu at the World Finals. MacClugage is using the new lightweight Bullett-MaccRacing SX-R hull though the rest of the package has been developed by Rusty and his father. Another source informed us that Chris is focus a lot in this new project and he is determined to win the class. He has proved in the past that he is the man to beat in Pro Ski and we look forward to admire his unique riding skill and ability in Pro Ski class at the World Finals. On the illustrated photo (taken from MaccRacing.com) it is clearly shown his new Bullett SX-R hull with the STX engine in it. We look forward to cooperate with him and present his new project in the near future.