Hungarian thunder
\nHe is young, he is super fit, he develops his own race parts, he makes his own race boats and he is undefeated for two years in a row. His name is Gy\u00f6rgy Kasza and he is from Hungary. <\/p>\n
Words:Vasilis Moraitis
\nPhotos:www.jetskiworld.gr <\/p>\n
Back in 2015 Gy\u00f6rgy Kasza won his first IJSBA World title in Pro Runabout Open and cursed all the bad moments he had in the past with any kind of failures. His speed was phenomenal and his race boat one of a kind. He returned back in Havasu in 2016 to defend his Number 1 plate and he proved to be unstoppable. He has a great team, he is dedicated to what he is doing and most of all he is very respectful. He is not a poser or one of those athletes that would make anything for other people to notice him. He will park his skis and set up his tent somewhere that no one will notice him and he will work quietly.<\/p>\n
At the World Finals in 2016, in second Moto he was given a penalty, to start with a dead engine since the course marshal thought that he made a jump start. Although, he was the last one to leave the start line he managed to win the Moto in a class of his own proving that he not only builds the fastest Runabout in the world but also he is capable of riding 110% until the race is finished. <\/p>\n
His workshop is situated in Hungary, nearby a lake. So testing his boats and his customer\u2019s skis does not take much of a time. He does not like to talk much about the parts and accessories that he is making or even to advertize them. His customers know exactly who is he and they know what they are ordering. Jetskiworld.gr has been communicating with the Hungarian Thunder very often and decided to post a profile story for him. Welcome the Hungarian Thunder. <\/p>\n
When were you born and where?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I was born in Budapest, Hungary, on 21 October 1982<\/p>\n
Are you involved to other motorsports too? For example do you like motorcycles, dirt bikes, etc?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I am interested in every kind of technical sports. Earlier I tried drifting, drag racing with motorbikes, etc, but now I only have time and energy for jet-ski racing. <\/p>\n
How many years have you been jet skiing?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I have been jet-skiing and racing since 2009. <\/p>\n
When it was your first time on a jet ski?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I think I was about 6 years old when I first tried to ride a jet-ski.<\/p>\n
When did you start racing jet skis?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I started racing in 2009.<\/p>\n
What were the reasons that made you start making your own hulls?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I started producing my own hulls because other hulls that I bought broke, thus I thought it is needed to have a custom made hull. <\/p>\n
You also make some other special parts for drive line and engine. Do you want to list those parts and tell us why they are better than oem or other aftermarket parts?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Me and my team develop stronger parts that last longer. We have our own drive line, turbo system and pump. <\/p>\n
The weak point in the horsepower game on every jet ski is the pump. Have you ever considered to design and make a pump that would be more efficient?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: We produce our own pump for 3 years. <\/p>\n
Would that be a reason to have less horse power on the engine so it could be more reliable?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: No, it is not necessary to reduce horsepower. <\/p>\n
Where do you practice when you are in Hungary since most of the time the weather is very cold in your country?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: My workshop is located on a lake, so I have plenty of opportunity to train on test on this lake. There are only like 2 months, when it is freezing cold and the lake might be frozen. Otherwise I wear a neoprene wetsuit or drysuit if necessary and do what I have to. <\/p>\n
Riding a jet ski is physically very demanding. Do you do any specific training in order to improve your stamina and endurance for racing? How often do you train?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I train every day 1-2 hours. <\/p>\n
Your race crafts are very expensive, how do you keep up with this kind of cost? Do you have your own sponsors who support your team?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: My sponsors and the selling of jet-skis or parts help a lot to keep up with the costs. <\/p>\n
How much money do you spend on your two (GP and Open) race crafts every year?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I don\u2019t know.<\/p>\n
How often do you have to change some parts?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: It is not so frequent to change something, only when it is broken. But we go with a new engine to every bigger race. <\/p>\n
What are the parts or things that you want to improve more on your boats?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Currently I am satisfied with the technical stuff we have. <\/p>\n
What is your occupation? Does your job let you spend enough time for your skis and the Hull business?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Currently I only focus on this jet-ski business. Everything else is in background. <\/p>\n
Have you ever raced stand-ups?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I raced for one season in the Hungarian Championship, but often I had bad pain in my back, so I stopped it. <\/p>\n
Would you consider making your own hull for a stand-up and what would that be?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Yes, maybe later. <\/p>\n
Do you get any financial support from BRP? How does the Canadian company support you? Does this support come from BRP Europe or Canada?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Sorry, but this is not public information.<\/p>\n
You won back to back in Havasu. Which year was the toughest one?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Last year 2015 or 2016? 2016 was more difficult, as I had to win the 2nd moto from the back. <\/p>\n
Was the race even tougher in King\u2019s cup or not?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: King\u2019s Cup was tougher. I think it might have been the toughest race of my life. <\/p>\n
In Thai you raced your Yamaha powered ski or your Sea-Doo engine one, the one I tested in Havasu?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I raced the Yamaha powered jet-ski.<\/p>\n
Do you follow a particular diet in order to keep fit? What is your favorite food and drink?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: Pizza and coke are the favorite. <\/p>\n
What are your plans for the future? Are you building something new?
\nGy\u00f6rgy Kasza: I am currently looking for teams whom I can support with my knowledge and experience. I would like to withdraw from racing in the future and participate at the races as a team manager and helper\/tuner but not as a professional athlete also. <\/p>\n
Please list all your sponsors and supporters.
\nMy sponsors are Jettribe Racing, Jettrim, Solas, and Ski&Sea Slovenia.<\/p>\n
In 2015 and 2016, Gyorgy Kasza managed to win:
\nfive Hungarian national titles (4 Runabout and one Ski category) in 2015 and five Hungarian national titles in 2016 (4 Runabout and Runabout Spark)
\n the IJSBA European Championship in Nysa, Poland (Runabout GP) in 2015
\nJetcross World Cup in Doncaster, England (Runabout GP) in 2015
\nand the Pro Runabout category at the World Finals in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and the Runabout Open Slalom both in 2015 and 2016
\nIJSBA World Finals
\nIJSBA WF Runabout Open Slalom\t\t1. 2012
\nIJSBA WF Expert Runabout Open\t\t3. 2012
\nIJSBA WF Runabout Stock\t\t\t3. 2012
\nIJSBA WF Runabout Open Slalom\t\t1. 2013
\nIJSBA WF Expert Runabout Open\t\t1. 2013
\nIJSBA WF PRO Runabout Open\t\t4. 2013
\nIJSBA WF Runabout Open Slalom\t\t1. 2014
\nIJSBA WF PRO Runabout Open\t\t3. 2014
\nIJSBA WF PRO-AM Runabout GP\t\t5. 2014
\nUIM Runabout Slalom GP1\t\t\t1. 2014
\nIJSBA WF PRO Runabout\t\t\t1. 2015
\nIJSBA WF Runabout Open Slalom\t\t1. 2015
\nIJSBA WF PRO Runabout\t\t\t1. 2016
\nIJSBA WF Runabout Open Slalom\t\t1. 2016<\/p>\n
King\u2019s Cup Thailand
\nRunabout GP\t\t1.\t(2016)<\/p>\n
European Championships:
\nIJSBA Pro Runabout GP 2. 2013
\nIJSBA PRO Runabout GP 6. 2014
\nIJSBA PRO Runabout 1. 2015
\nIJSBA PRO Runabout 4. 2016<\/p>\n
Alpen Adria Cup series
\n2011\tPRO-AM Runabout GP 1
\n2011 PRO-AM Runabout Stock 1
\n2012\tPRO-AM Runabout GP 1
\n2012 PRO-AM Runabout Stock 1
\n2013\tPRO-AM Runabout GP 1
\n2013 \tPRO-AM Runabout Stock 1
\n2014 PRO-AM Runabout GP 2
\n2014\tPRO-AM Runabout Stock 3\t<\/p>\n
Hungarian Nationals
\n2008 Novice Runabout 1.
\n2008\tNovice Men Slalom\t 1.
\n2008 \tRunabout Formula 1.
\n2009\tRunabout Formula 1\t 3.
\n2010 \tRunabout Offshore F1\t 3.
\n2010 \tRunabout Formula 2\t 1.
\n2011 \tRunabout Formula 1\t 1.
\n2011\tRunabout Offshore F2\t 1.
\n2011\tRunabout Offshore F1\t 2.
\n2011\tRunabout Formula 2\t 1.
\n2012 \tRunabout Formula 1\t 1.
\n2012 \tRunabout Offshore F1\t 1.
\n2012 \tRunabout Offshore F2\t 1.
\n2012 \tRunabout Formula 1\t 1.
\n2013 \tRunabout Formula 2\t 1.
\n2013 Runabout Offshore F1\t 1.
\n2013\tRunabout Offshore F2\t 1.
\n2013 \tRunabout Formula 1\t 1.
\n2014\tRunabout Formula 2\t 1.
\n2014\tRunabout Offshore F1\t 1.
\n2014 \tRunabout Offshore F2\t 1.
\n2014 \tRunabout Formula 1\t 1.
\n2015\tRunabout Formula 2\t 1.
\n2015 \tRunabout Offshore F1\t 1.
\n2015 \tRunabout Offshore F2\t 1.
\n2015 Runabout Formula 1\t 1.
\n2016 \tRunabout Formula 2\t 1.
\n2016\tRunabout Offshore F1\t 1.
\n2016 \tRunabout Offshore F2\t 1.
\n2016 \tRunabout Spark\t 1.\t<\/p>\n
2016 Honours of the Hungarian Jet-Ski Federation
\nCONTINUAL HUNGARIAN CHAMPION OF JET-SKI SPORT\t(2013)<\/p>\n
5X JET-SKI SPORT\u2019S RACER OF THE YEAR (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)<\/p>\n
In 2015 Gyorgy Kasza received an award of the Hungarian Olympic Committee for his activity in jet-ski sport. They awarded 35 athletes from 22 sport fields, that are not Olympic games.<\/p>\n\n\t\t