Category Archives: NEWS (ENG)

NEWS (ENG)

At a press conference staged at the Corniche Al Buheira hotel, Nicolo di San Germano, promoter of the UIM World F1 Series together with John Caudwell and Mike Beachy Head of Caudwell Marine unveiled a unique new engine/drive package that could revolutionize Formula One. With the world of motor sports becoming increasingly under pressure to seek out greener, more energy efficient options to protect the environment, Di San Germano has, for the last two years looked at several propositions but all have been discarded on the grounds of economics. However when Caudwell Marine approached the F1 promoter with a package that ticked all the right boxes, Di San Germano proposed a joint venture that, if successful could transform F1. Since its inception, Formula One has relied on outboard power which has mainly been dominated by Mercury 2 stroke units. Today Caudwell and Beachy Head unveiled their powerplant and early tests and comments from the F1 fraternity suggest it could be a winner. The engine is energy efficient, all aluminum Nissan V6 naturally aspirated 3.5 liter powerplant attached to a custom made Axis drive unit. The test unit is fitted in an elderly two seater DAC catamaran and early performance figures indicate it is very fast i.e. it set an unofficial South African speed record of 142mph and accelerates from standstill to 160kph is 4 seconds. Caudwell and Beachy Head indicated that their units will be cost effective and teams are invited to lease the packages from Caudwell as opposed to outright purchase. The next stage of development will be to install engine and drive in new F1 catamaran and set the outfit up in racing mode and the results will be appraised by pilots. If the feedback is positive, Caudwell engines could be on the start grid in 2011.

During our stay in Havasu after the World Finals we had the opportunity to visit the premises of Jettrim. The posters hanging off the factory’s walls are amazing. The pictured one was given to Gary Hart (owner of Jettrim) by Victor “The Slasher” Sheldon who was racing for Butch’s Jet Ski Shop on a Yamaha back in 1992. Victor was one of the pioneers of Freeride and he had also brought to the sport Supercross Star, Jeremy McGrath.

For 2010 and the next two successive years, Arai and the Isle of Man TT organization have chosen a new sponsoring concept: Arai will introduce three limited special Isle of Man TT edition helmets in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively. Each run of Aldo Drudi designed TT Series will be limited to strictly 500 helmets only and the Isle of Man TT organization will receive a commission for every helmet sold. Arai Helmet has for many years been a proud supporter and sponsor of the Isle of Man TT races. Year upon year Arai course banners and sign posts have decked the world famous track and again this year, as in previous years, Arai will be present on the Isle of Man, supporting the organisation of the Isle of Man TT races. The first 2010 TT Series will be priced at 899euros, including the free display set and will be exclusively distributed by Arai in Europe. The Isle of Man TT marshals will also use the 2010 TT Series Arai helmet for high visibility and to promote to the public. There has always been a strong bond between Arai and the Isle of Man TT races. Many competitors and visitors prefer Arai helmets and for many years, Arai has sponsored the event. It was therefore not a big surprise when the introduction of the limited edition ‘’Isle of Man Centennial’’ model in 2007 proved to be a huge success. Over time, Arai has amassed extensive knowledge when it comes to producing limited edition helmets and models like the Joey Dunlop Replica and the Haga Monza underline that success.

Yamaha’s new natural aspirated 1800cc four-stroke powered WaveRunner will hit the showrooms in February according to the information that we recently received from the company. The price has not been announced yet however, the company scopes to keep it in a tempting level.

Frenchman Jean Baptiste Botti clinched his first ever IJSBA Pro Ski World Title in Havasu on a standard S4 kit-ed with a 180 kit. How did he do it? He managed to set it up in such a way in order to ride it at full throttle and get the title. Read all about his race craft since we tested it exclusively on Monday after the World Finals. The report is published under the Race Tests section.

This year the spectators in Havasu had the unique opportunity to admire some of the finest and more prestigious Jet Skies ever produced and ridden in recreational or race format. The Vintage Museum was an outstanding idea and we believe that it was the most interesting attraction at the famous Performance Alley. Gary Hart of Jettrim informed us that he expects to make it even better and bigger next year. For sure there are people out there who still own some of this unique first generation pwc’s whether there are Kawasaki’s Sea Doo’s or Yamaha’s or of any other manufacturer. It will be nice to see some more of them next year.

We have already published in the past that the new Ultra 300X features exactly the same hull its predecessors 250X and 260X. Even the pump intake features the same shape and volume which work well in 2007 with the 155mm pump. According to the information that we received exclusively from Kawasaki USA the hull has be made with much greater care and is overall lighter than it was in the past (it weighs around 30 lbs lighter), though it has been reinforced in particular places in the bow area. Also, the deck is the same except they increased the thickness in a couple of locations to make it stronger.