Its time for a 550 Jr class

[throttlejunkie]

I can only say one thing. When i started, racing ski's 1980 to 92 they cost about $ 1,400 to $ 3,500. Now with the price of ski's only the middle class and up can afford them. And most of your hall of fame talent was from the early years was from lower income, teenagers with jobs not the parents money. So you out class the talent. Put it this way more people can afford to take a risk and buy a $ 2'500 ski and seen if they like riding jet ski's. Witch they will. As a former racer. I could get a 550 and put my teenager on it and race for about 1,500 bucks. That would get me back to the races with my kids. But where. Its full bore $$$$$ or nothing. So it looks like my kids Will never race jet skis. We need a 550 Jr class for fresh talent. low budget racing. It still means i will have to spend money for her to ride and train. but the cost of fuel will be OK for a 550= 5 gallons= 2 to 3 hours of riding. but i know with the sxr you get 45 minutes per tank. like i heard all weekend it's the money factor' the pricier its gets = less racers. So make it affordable = Racers & fans. Get on track and your sport will grow like a Weed.

 

[Gainera2582]

I agree 100%. Kids don't need rocket skis to ride on their first few years. I actually wish we would have a 750 class so the superjets and kawi sx/sxi/sxi pros can dual it out. It actually would be fun!!!!!!!!!!

 

[kevbo]

There is a general lack of enthusiasm for jetski racing these days. Fads come and go, now finding two or three people to ride with is about the best you can hope for. I thought an X2 or a squarenose Superjet class would be the cheapest and most accessible way to get started in racing. The IJSBA screwed a lot of racers in 1993 with the sport class. The X2 class may still be alive today if they kept it seperate.

 

[Legdrag's]

I couldn't agree more. The 550 is the best base for kids. They will learn to read the water much better I believe. When my son is that age to race it will be on a 550.

 

[StandupWI]

In region 6 on the Great Lakes Watercross series we have a vintage class where anything not competitive in stock ski can race. Last year we had good turn outs one weekend we had the fullest line of all the races. The only problem is the lack of regulation. I have a stock 650 squarenose and I am racing against limited 701's one round I did take the overall however it was super choppy on Lake Michigan and it helps when the first place person misses a buoy. I think this class is awesome and has the cheapest entry fee of $40 bucks a round very cheap class and promotes teenagers like myself to race in so to me I think the 550 class would be awesome. Or like someone else mentioned the Superjet/Kawi 750 class would be super cool as well there just needs to be a strict regulation on what can be done and what can't.

 

[vomitspot]

i disagree!
we dont need another class
@ 10 -12 or 13-15 jr you can run anything and you know if your kid is in it or not!
and it doesnt even have have to be legal. just be buds with the promotor $ talks! they will fudge!

 

[bad93blaster]

I am disappointed that someone in the hall of fame wont give back to this sport. (wonder why this sport is going to $hit) I agree it cost more to race today but im sure you make a lot more than you did in 1980

 

[throttlejunkie]

Im 47 rising 6 & 13 two kids on a budget. The more i spend, means the more i work = less time with the kids. Nows whats your answer.

 

[SuperJETT]

Around 1990, a 440 cost around $3000 new. Add in 4% inflation, that ski would cost exactly $5844 today. Hrm, right about what a SJ or SXR costs, yet are much more sophisticated machines.

Electronics gets cheaper/smaller, machinery typically doesn't.