Anyone following the jet ski racing drama?

[dspracing]

long story short, Scott Frazier leader of world finals event stated that anyone who races the international cup which is right before WF, would be banned from WF.

A lot of people were talking all tough stating they would do both. My buddy who is pretty passive even stated he would have both his girls race international cup and then March right up to Frazier and tell him what they did. Well he pulled the plug on that and didn’t have his girls race as did damn near everyone else.

Seemed to make sense, money hungry Frazier would never turned down paid entries right?

I sold a trailer to Raphael Maurin earlier this week and asked him what he was doing. I believe international cup offered a 10k prize for this race! He stated WF was part of a triple crown championship and after traveling to both Poland and France, he could not risk being banned from WF.

Sounds like the freestyle event with a $10k cash prize was cancelled with 0 sign ups so they could all compete in WF next weekend with no cash and little to no audience at that( non channel event).

Anyways , interesting to see all the big talk and no action. I’m down at riviera right now and there are a total of 5 skis running this event. Such a shame.

 

[Boozer]

I didn’t know people actually followed jet ski racing.

 

[RichL]

I didn’t know people actually followed jet ski racing.

Me either but after seeing the picture above I might start following.

 

[rivrrts429]

It’s been a wild few months. Going to be a wild WF’s.

 

[rivermobster]

Me either but after seeing the picture above I might start following.

We both know Why he took That pic!

 

[dspracing]

We both know Why he took That pic!

I’m here for the people ok. I’m no @Wheeler but I do what I can.

 

[Wheeler]

I’m here for the people ok. I’m no @Wheeler but I do what I can.

She looked much better without he Jorts Good Job!

 

[rivermobster]

I’m here for the people ok. I’m no @Wheeler but I do what I can.

Thank gawd, one of him is enough!

 

[4Waters]

Me either but after seeing the picture above I might start following.

That pic has something to do with jetski racing?

 

[riverroyal]

My last world finals was 1996. That was 10 years straight.
Went from a crowd 50000 to 5000
The manufactures killed racing. We knew it was coming. We warned them. Didn't matter greed never stops.
Just getting the invite to the WF was a big deal. Now nobody enters.

On a pro level in the 90s if you tried to be privateer you weren't competitive.

I am glad to see people are still passionate about it.

 

[4Waters]

She looked much better without he Jorts Good Job!

She should have put some sunblock on, that ass is red and it's gonna hurt when her man slaps it later

 

[Dunerking]

My last world finals was 1996. That was 10 years straight.
Went from a crowd 50000 to 5000
The manufactures killed racing. We knew it was coming. We warned them. Didn't matter greed never stops.
Just getting the invite to the WF was a big deal. Now nobody enters.

On a pro level in the 90s if you tried to be privateer you weren't competitive.

I am glad to see people are still passionate about it.

That’s the truth about being a privateer…my buddies Clay Cullen,Mark Dobson and Ryan Fitzpatrick all races during that period and the pros handles biz…no stopping Jeff Jacob!

 

[ridebig]

Scott Frazier is one of the main reason my son quit racing jet skis. He won a world championship in standup except about 5 years ago and the drama in the jet ski world is kinda funny to say the least. We have raced many WORCS and other off road bike series for years and have never seen the drama that IJSBA provides. It’s a shame because I really enjoyed supporting him and some of the other people involved. This year will be the first WF we have missed in about 10 years.

 

[Willie B]

… For those not familiar… Here is what a JetSki looks like in action…
… I rode one once in the Long Beach Harbor right by the Queen Mary… A half hour on a Jetski was enough for me…It wore me out…

 

[77charger]

I follow as I also ride stand ups it’s been a joke on the racing side. Ijsba has been treating some classes like crap and been pulling shit for last few years known a few who just dropped from going to world finals due to drama.

 

[Yoshiro]

I raced stand ups for over a decade myself, retired in 2008. The drama that's happened since Frazier has been at the helm is incredible. The sport is too small at this point to be pulling these stunts.

 

[riverroyal]

That’s the truth about being a privateer…my buddies Clay Cullen,Mark Dobson and Ryan Fitzpatrick all races during that period and the pros handles biz…no stopping Jeff Jacob!

Clay was my team mate on Extreme wet suits. Dobson hijacked my scooter in orlando and was never the same. lol Good times

 

[riverroyal]

The IJSBA ran a good program until 1997 ish. It quickly became a huge money pit. Meaning it was costing racers wayyy to much for what was paid out. 35K race ski to make $1000 for 1st place after driving 2000 miles made it impossible for most.

 

[Mini Kat]

Jetski racing used to pay me darn good money. I got the world's title for 4 years and the national title for 5 years.
I retired still number one on the podium. Kawasaki was one of my many sponsors.
They Wanted Me to ride Sit down
As well. My reply to them was every manufacture makes a Mini Van and nobody needs to watch them race in NASCAR. So I told them I would retire quit before I sit that is not racing to me. So that's what I did still number one at my last roll finals and national finals. I got paid darn good money back then and you had to earn your way invitational only. I made money just signing my name on the entry forms.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Jetski racing used to pay me darn good money. I got the world's title for 4 years and the national title for 5 years.
I retired still number one on the podium. Kawasaki was one of my many sponsors.
They Wanted Me to ride Sit down
As well. My reply to them was every manufacture makes a Mini Van and nobody needs to watch them race in NASCAR. So I told them I would retire quit before I sit that is not racing to me. So that's what I did still number one at my last roll finals and national finals. I got paid darn good money back then and you had to earn your way invitational only. I made money just signing my name on the entry forms.

Was Skat-Trak a sponsor? I only know them for making sand tires

 

[riverroyal]

Skat trak world finals for a very long time.
They paid contingency as well for their riders.
Typical money came from 1st 2nd 3rd.
In 1996 I finished 2nd in Chicago. It paid my honeymoon in Hawaii shortly after.
Not uncommon to go home every weekend with 2-3000 in just prize money. Then throw some contract money in....
It's was a much much much better time to make money.
But it did take years out of pocket to get to level to get paid.
I can vouche for mini cat, that little guy hauled ass

 

[77charger]

Jetski racing used to pay me darn good money. I got the world's title for 4 years and the national title for 5 years.
I retired still number one on the podium. Kawasaki was one of my many sponsors.
They Wanted Me to ride Sit down
As well. My reply to them was every manufacture makes a Mini Van and nobody needs to watch them race in NASCAR. So I told them I would retire quit before I sit that is not racing to me. So that's what I did still number one at my last roll finals and national finals. I got paid darn good money back then and you had to earn your way invitational only. I made money just signing my name on the entry forms.

Look at today one of the biggest classes is 550 vintage but all attention goes to sit downs.

 

[77charger]

Was Skat-Trak a sponsor? I only know them for making sand tires

Not only the best sand tires but the best imepellers too.

 

[Tooms22]

I know absolutely nothing about these issues or even jet ski racing/freestyle.

But I went down to the channel and caught the end of the freestyle competition on Saturday. It seemed cool to me but only about 100 people there watching.

Did I get the B class riders who didn't want to be banned for next weekend? Or was that not involved in this issue?

 

[Bigbore500r]

I didn’t know people actually followed jet ski racing.

I often find myself following Jet Ski's racing......does that count?

 

[Clank123]

I was at the first WF over at the Nautical as a tuner.
What a fantastic venue.
Last year we raced there was 1982.
Got invited back with some of my contemporaries for the 40th year celebration.
My first time back after all those years.
Couldn’t believe it.
I got introduced to that Scott and quickly figured out I probably didn’t need to talk over a beer with him. If ya know what I mean.
Sad that he pulled that card on the riders.

Here’s a shot of the Modified Final at the first WF.
I always chose the outside lane cause we could slam the door on most everybody.
We are the Banzai ski down on the end.
Doug Silverstein on it.
I’m behind him in the cowboy hat.

 

[Clank123]

I guess this is as good a place to drop some olden day Jet Ski pictures that I have.
Of course we didn’t have cell phones back then but I have a few that might be interesting.

Early 1972…
The first prototypes we did all the testing on in Carlsbad when I was 12.
Crashed a few of them for sure.
I rode numbers 1 -15 a few different bottom designs. When the 400’s came out you had your choice of two different bottoms.

Carlsbad 1977…
Back in the prehistoric days they had a-lightweight and Heavyweight classes and we used to race on our knees!
When they abandoned the HW class, I switched to tuning full time.
Me with my Modified and Superstock.
That’s the great Steve Strickland behind me in the black and white picture.

Alabama September 1979…
Doug Silverstein and I clinched our first of three High Points Championships(1979-1981)…Doug on the end and I’m the kid with the hat
Some of you Kawi guys probably know Bruce Stjernstrom on my right.
He rode for us back then.

Doug and I had a lot of fun in those years traveling the country.
I had a few different guys ride for me that were very good as well.
Brian Bendix and Billy Silverstein along with my brother Rolf won alot of races and slaloms for us.
Back in those days we had an 8-10 race series from coast to coast that we barnstormed.
Each race was a 10k purse and we usually came away with 3500 to 4500 a weekend.
Big money in 1980!
Here’s a shot of Doug next to our ski with Mike Maddox on the right, another strong rider back then.

Brother Rolf on our stocker at the WF in 1981.

 

[rivergames]

My group was at Bluewater Casino Saturday night. We ate at Willows and played some Blackjack. We talked to a couple guys at the blackjack table that were from Kuwait and were here in the USA racing Jet Skis. Dudes were throwin down some dough with each hand dealt!

 

[Joe mama]

long story short, Scott Frazier leader of world finals event stated that anyone who races the international cup which is right before WF, would be banned from WF.

A lot of people were talking all tough stating they would do both. My buddy who is pretty passive even stated he would have both his girls race international cup and then March right up to Frazier and tell him what they did. Well he pulled the plug on that and didn’t have his girls race as did damn near everyone else.

Seemed to make sense, money hungry Frazier would never turned down paid entries right?

I sold a trailer to Raphael Maurin earlier this week and asked him what he was doing. I believe international cup offered a 10k prize for this race! He stated WF was part of a triple crown championship and after traveling to both Poland and France, he could not risk being banned from WF.

Sounds like the freestyle event with a $10k cash prize was cancelled with 0 sign ups so they could all compete in WF next weekend with no cash and little to no audience at that( non channel event).

Anyways , interesting to see all the big talk and no action. I’m down at riviera right now and there are a total of 5 skis running this event. Such a shame.

View attachment 1284321

Somebody better hurry up and put the plug in before she sinks.

 

[Willie B]

… I had no clue that JetSki-ing existed on a professional level… when I shot a few videos at Long Beach???… thought it was just a bunch of weekender guys having a really great time… of course there’s a lot of things I don’t have a clue about…Dahhh???…

 

[riverroyal]

I guess this is as good a place to drop some olden day Jet Ski pictures that I have.
Of course we didn’t have cell phones back then but I have a few that might be interesting.

Early 1972…
The first prototypes we did all the testing on in Carlsbad when I was 12.
Crashed a few of them for sure.
I rode numbers 1 -15 a few different bottom designs. When the 400’s came out you had your choice of two different bottoms.
View attachment 1284696

Carlsbad 1977…
Back in the prehistoric days they had a-lightweight and Heavyweight classes and we used to race on our knees!
When they abandoned the HW class, I switched to tuning full time.
Me with my Modified and Superstock.
That’s the great Steve Strickland behind me in the black and white picture.
View attachment 1284723
View attachment 1284725 View attachment 1284724

Alabama September 1979…
Doug Silverstein and I clinched our first of three High Points Championships(1979-1981)…Doug on the end and I’m the kid with the hat
Some of you Kawi guys probably know Bruce Stjernstrom on my right.
He rode for us back then.
View attachment 1284715

Doug and I had a lot of fun in those years traveling the country.
I had a few different guys ride for me that were very good as well.
Brian Bendix and Billy Silverstein along with my brother Rolf won alot of races and slaloms for us.
Back in those days we had an 8-10 race series from coast to coast that we barnstormed.
Each race was a 10k purse and we usually came away with 3500 to 4500 a weekend.
Big money in 1980!
Here’s a shot of Doug next to our ski with Mike Maddox on the right, another strong rider back then. View attachment 1284737

Brother Rolf on our stocker at the WF in 1981.

View attachment 1284738

These pictures are amazing. Thanks for sharing
Grew up in carlsbad. I'm sitting on Palomar rd now waiting for dinner.
I learned to water ski there. 47 ish years ago

 

[Clank123]

Here then is a Carlsbad story.
We took over Snug Harbor from the Lathrops.
We refacedall the buildings built a barge for our Jet Ski rental and got going.
I had the idea to do a winter series and change it up a bit…we ran the closed course races but also did the slalom but added a jump in each lane to make it more like snow slalom. It was pretty cool.
Then 2 weekends, because we all loved Speedway motorcycles, we set up the first ever Jet Ski Soeedway track.
We ran the event just like Costa Mesa.
We had the next heat at the start gate during the prior race and sent them as soon as the water laid down.
I’m sure it’s the only time it’s been done.
It was a great show.
Apologize in advance for the highlighter markings.
My Grandmother saved them and did the highlighting.
I guess she was proud of me.
Wish I still had the shirt I was wearing in the last picture!
Good times!

 

[whipple charged]

Scotts been bad for this sport well over 20yrs.
Non buddy remembers giving him a full size toilet for flushing the sport


The there's Mac for been fucked up n barging a bathroom stall calln a girl a fat bitch. While he was riding for Kawasaki (last factory ride)..

Theres more if your willing to say or talk about it..

 

[Mini Kat]

Was Skat-Trak a sponsor? I only know them for making sand tires

Yes Skat-Trak They used to supply me with all the props to my specs that I wanted as well as they supplied me with all their stainless steel pumps all of the swag.
And as well as paid good money and supplies as far as all of the different tires and wheels that they made. The shops that I was rideing for use the sell Replicas of my skis all around the world and they weren't even what I was racing because they did not know what I. Had I did all my own porting and modifications to all my skis.
Kawasaki is the giant May 3 skis per year and they would be mine outright and I could sell them at the end of the season and get. New ones. Believe it or not I? Bought. A? House in Lomita pines A house in Anaheim hills an a house in Yorba Linda. Back in the day racing jetski's paid d*** good money.

 

[NicPaus]

Damn @Mini Kat I didn't know you lived in the Pines. You know Randy Ross? He used to race as well. I recall you knowing the area when I was living in T Flats in a flip house long ago.

 

[Clank123]

Here’s some more vintage pictures.
I was asked to prepare all the Skiis for Race of Champions in 1980 and 81.
I hopped them all up a bit and did all the testing to be sure they were all pretty close.
It was held on the North Shore of Hawaii in November those years.
All the top riders from the season were invited out.
The event was broadcast on NBC Sportsworld. Hosted by Bruce Jenner and Mike Adamle.
Picked up Jenner both years at the airport and had a few dinners together. Good guy.
I also got to be the “technical expert” for the broadcast, which was cool.
Some of you old timers might recognize a few of these guys.
Didn’t make much money, but we sure had fun!

Me and my buddy Bruce!

 

[C-Ya]

Damn @Mini Kat I didn't know you lived in the Pines. You know Randy Ross? He used to race as well. I recall you knowing the area when I was living in T Flats in a flip house long ago.

Hey Nic,

Could you PM me Randy Ross’s phone number?

Randy and I were great friends, but lost contact about 20 years ago. Does he still live in Lomita? When Randy and I were kids, he lived in Redondo Beach.

Randy was not only good on a jet ski, he was also a hell of a motocross racer.

Thank you!

 

[Bobby V]

Skat trak world finals for a very long time.
They paid contingency as well for their riders.
Typical money came from 1st 2nd 3rd.
In 1996 I finished 2nd in Chicago. It paid my honeymoon in Hawaii shortly after.
Not uncommon to go home every weekend with 2-3000 in just prize money. Then throw some contract money in....
It's was a much much much better time to make money.
But it did take years out of pocket to get to level to get paid.
I can vouche for mini cat, that little guy hauled ass

Did you know Dereck Natvig. He won a few races back then. He married my wife’s friend Mercedes Gonzales who raced Moto X and mountain bikes back in the early 90’s.

 

[Dunerking]

Clay was my team mate on Extreme wet suits. Dobson hijacked my scooter in orlando and was never the same. lol Good times

Dobber may have or have not been known to do those type of things! Lol

 

[FCT]

Did you know Dereck Natvig. He won a few races back then. He married my wife’s friend Mercedes Gonzales who raced Moto X and mountain bikes back in the early 90’s.

I’ve known Dereck for like 20 years from him working at Kawi. I was a Team Green rider for mx for a long time.

 

[Mini Kat]

Damn @Mini Kat I didn't know you lived in the Pines. You know Randy Ross? He used to race as well. I recall you knowing the area when I was living in T Flats in a flip house long ago

Tortilla flats.....LMAO

 

[NicPaus]

Tortilla flats.....LMAO

Was just in the neighborhood at Ray's tires last week. Talking about that house around the corner i lived at. We both could not believe it is at a million now. 2011 it was $190K before I put a basement in and a addition over the basement adding 1200 sq ft. Making it 2000 sq ft.

 

[riverroyal]

Here’s some more vintage pictures.
I was asked to prepare all the Skiis for Race of Champions in 1980 and 81.
I hopped them all up a bit and did all the testing to be sure they were all pretty close.
It was held on the North Shore of Hawaii in November those years.
All the top riders from the season were invited out.
The event was broadcast on NBC Sportsworld. Hosted by Bruce Jenner and Mike Adamle.
Picked up Jenner both years at the airport and had a few dinners together. Good guy.
I also got to be the “technical expert” for the broadcast, which was cool.
Some of you old timers might recognize a few of these guys.
Didn’t make much money, but we sure had fun!
View attachment 1285002
View attachment 1285004

Me and my buddy Bruce!

View attachment 1285003 View attachment 1285006 View attachment 1285005

Is Clank123 real name Dave? lol. We have crossed paths many times. I built motors out of North County Kawasaki for years. Dan was good for a 24 pack daily!!

 

[Mini Kat]

I guess this is as good a place to drop some olden day Jet Ski pictures that I have.
Of course we didn’t have cell phones back then but I have a few that might be interesting.

Early 1972…
The first prototypes we did all the testing on in Carlsbad when I was 12.
Crashed a few of them for sure.
I rode numbers 1 -15 a few different bottom designs. When the 400’s came out you had your choice of two different bottoms.
View attachment 1284696

Carlsbad 1977…
Back in the prehistoric days they had a-lightweight and Heavyweight classes and we used to race on our knees!
When they abandoned the HW class, I switched to tuning full time.
Me with my Modified and Superstock.
That’s the great Steve Strickland behind me in the black and white picture.
View attachment 1284723
View attachment 1284725 View attachment 1284724

Alabama September 1979…
Doug Silverstein and I clinched our first of three High Points Championships(1979-1981)…Doug on the end and I’m the kid with the hat
Some of you Kawi guys probably know Bruce Stjernstrom on my right.
He rode for us back then.
View attachment 1284715

Doug and I had a lot of fun in those years traveling the country.
I had a few different guys ride for me that were very good as well.
Brian Bendix and Billy Silverstein along with my brother Rolf won alot of races and slaloms for us.
Back in those days we had an 8-10 race series from coast to coast that we barnstormed.
Each race was a 10k purse and we usually came away with 3500 to 4500 a weekend.
Big money in 1980!
Here’s a shot of Doug next to our ski with Mike Maddox on the right, another strong rider back then. View attachment 1284737

Brother Rolf on our stocker at the WF in 1981.

View attachment 1284738

Not too many people know the good old days like us all folks. This is a couple pictures from the side of one of my oldest tool boxes that I still have.

 

[Clank123]

Is Clank123 real name Dave? lol. We have crossed paths many times. I built motors out of North County Kawasaki for years. Dan was good for a 24 pack daily!!

Yup!
Still living in Carlsbad.
Dan is a Beauty for sure!
Did a lot of work for him and his brother when they started out over on Encinitas Blvd.
Just built my first Ski motor in 40 years for my brothers 93.
Ported the reed motor Exhaust ports to my old specs, cleaned the transfers up, milled head, 44 mikuni, better reeds, aluminum flywheel, carbon fiber pipe and a ST stainless impeller with a quick turn nozzle.
Runs pretty darn good.
I’m still selling beer.
Let’s hook up and get a pint sometime!
Dave

 

[Clank123]

Flyin Brian!
Rode for me in 1982.
He got my truck t-boned in Florida when he ran a red light.
We put a new rearend in it in the Hotel parking lot.
Saw him for the first time in almost 40 years at the Reunion at the WF.
Still a great guy, but has mellowed a lot!

OCJS!
After Ed left Larry hired me to build his Race Skiis.
We did one race at Bakersfield and cleaned house.
After the race he told me my services were no longer needed.
Good education for a 19 year old kid.
I never let it happen again!

Picture in about 1980 at a race at Bluewater with me and my buddy Mark Dickinson of Dickinson Design.
One of the first aftermarket guys in the business.
Don’t know what became of him.
Just heard that his main man Wes Ishi just passed away.

 

[riverroyal]

Yup!
Still living in Carlsbad.
Dan is a Beauty for sure!
Did a lot of work for him and his brother when they started out over on Encinitas Blvd.
Just built my first Ski motor in 40 years for my brothers 93.
Ported the reed motor Exhaust ports to my old specs, cleaned the transfers up, milled head, 44 mikuni, better reeds, aluminum flywheel, carbon fiber pipe and a ST stainless impeller with a quick turn nozzle.
Runs pretty darn good.
I’m still selling beer.
Let’s hook up and get a pint sometime!
Dave
View attachment 1285128
View attachment 1285127

My brain cells are not what they were. But I think Dan had you machine stuff me.
He helped us north county locals a bunch. Grouchy fucker but a great guy. I rented his townhouse with GF off tamarack when I was on tour. 32 years later I'm still with the same lady!
I'm moving, soon as we get settled let's grab beers.

 

[whiteworks]

The IJSBA ran a good program until 1997 ish. It quickly became a huge money pit. Meaning it was costing racers wayyy to much for what was paid out. 35K race ski to make $1000 for 1st place after driving 2000 miles made it impossible for most.

Wait, you guys were getting paid

 

[Mini Kat]

View attachment 1285131
Flyin Brian!
Rode for me in 1982.
He got my truck t-boned in Florida when he ran a red light.
We put a new rearend in it in the Hotel parking lot.
Saw him for the first time in almost 40 years at the Reunion at the WF.
Still a great guy, but has mellowed a lot!

View attachment 1285132

OCJS!
After Ed left Larry hired me to build his Race Skiis.
We did one race at Bakersfield and cleaned house.
After the race he told me my services were no longer needed.
Good education for a 19 year old kid.
I never let it happen again!


View attachment 1285134

Picture in about 1980 at a race at Bluewater with me and my buddy Mark Dickinson of Dickinson Design.
One of the first aftermarket guys in the business.
Don’t know what became of him.
Just heard that his main man Wes Ishi just passed away.

Yeah I thought you would get a kick out of that Flyin Brian sticker. Orange County jets ski.
They were pretty good at trying to take what they wanted and then throw you to the curb.
In the old days I would do all my own Porting work and I would never let anybody know not even my sponsors what I did this way I could not get screwed. They were selling a lot of so-called replica stuff of mine but the cylinders we're nevertheless not the same.
They were making big money off of me selling to Malaysia, Bangkok Thailand, South Africa, Japan and a bunch of other foreign countries.

 

[77charger]

Yeah I thought you would get a kick out of that Flyin Brian sticker. Orange County jets ski.
They were pretty good at trying to take what they wanted and then throw you to the curb.
In the old days I would do all my own Porting work and I would never let anybody know not even my sponsors what I did this way I could not get screwed. They were selling a lot of so-called replica stuff of mine but the cylinders we're nevertheless the same.
They were making big money off of me selling to Malaysia, Bangkok Thailand, South Africa, Japan and a bunch of other foreign countries.

I have a brand new ocjs master cylinder thathas never been sleeved.Bought it and to get las sleeve to make them is a bitch so had andrew casere port my 90 piston port cylinder and got results im happy with.

Have found another who has the sleeves now though but might get them to keep along if i ever decide to change plans.