I get a lot of phone calls and emails in regards to DJSA PWC races...Here are some of the most common questions
asked.
Q - How old do you have to be to race at DJSA Events?
A - 18 years of age for all closed course and enduro race events. At my disgretion I may allow a 16 or 17-year old
racer to run in a specific race class as an "intern", however intern racers will start in the back of the class, will
display a rookie ribbon on their ski and pfd, and they will not be eligible for top 10 divisional series points until they
reach 18 years of age, or unless they possess adequate skill for open competition. Perspective intern racers are required
to have parents or legal guardians contact me in advance of any racing so that I can meet with both the parents, and
the racer. Parents must show proof of active medical insurance and coverage for their racer, and sign parental liability
waivers prior to each race event the intern racer enters.
Q - How much are entry fees?
A - The entry fee for point series course racing is $50 for 3 heats of racing.
$40 for 650 Standups and X-2's.
A racer may enter a total of up to 3 classes in one day.
Additional classes are $20 each in addition to your primary class.
One thing we will always strive to do is keep racing affordable. There will never be an entry fee higher than
$60 at our course races unless we are hosting a large scale event special event and even then, we'll try and keep
the sting out of it.
Q - How many races or "motos" does a rider get in?
A - Most all of our events last year consisted of 3 heats per class. At a few races last year we ran out of
daylight and had to shorten the program but that was the exception and not the rule. If you're going home tired with the feeling
you got your money's worth, then we're going home happy too!
Q - How are the races scored?
A - We use traditional "motocross" style scoring. Your finish places from all 3 races are added together and the
lowest numbers win overall.
If you get 3 wins your score would be 3.
If you came in 2nd, 4th, and 3rd, your score would be 9
Three 2nds would be 6 and so on.
Ties are broken by the finish positions of the last race run.
DNF's (did not finish) are scored 3 points plus the number of racers in that class.
DNS (did not start) are scored 5 points plus the number of racers in that class.
Q - Do DJSA points count towards APBA or IJSBA
point standings?
A - No, DJSA points are awarded only towards DJSA events, series, and prizes.
Q - Do Pro's race at DJSA?
A - In 2008 we added the FAST Standup 1100 GP class which stands for "Four Stroke and Super Talent". Hydrospace,
modified, and pro/expert riders have made this class very popular this season and the name fits.... These guys are FAST, but
now we have started running an 850 standup expert-intermediate class.
This is an open class for expert level racers on skis 850ccs or less. This class was formed to accommodate a
variety of skill level from advanced intermediate racers, to top experts. Why the mix? The experts teach the intermediates
how to be experts and the intermediates put a serious chase on the experts... the results? Some really hot racing
in this really hot class!
In the sit classes, experts run in all 4 classes. The 800 runabout, Sport sit 1200 GP, and Sprint sit classes are all
open classes. Novices start behind the experts. The SCXP Supersit class is for expert and advanced skills only and requires
a minimum of 3 years previous race experience.
Q - What equipment is needed to race at DJSA?
A - Your ski must be in good overall condition and should be currently registered with CF numbers displayed. Some permitted
events exempt skis from being registered if they are used for racing at the event only, but registration tickets are costly
and if you venture out of an event area you're rolling the dice for getting stopped by law enforcement. Best advice? Get your
ski registered! Note - All enduro racers MUST HAVE their skis currently reg'd.
Enduros - All coast guard required equipment must be with the ski.
Closed course - Same requirement but fire extinguishers do not have to be carried on race skis.
All skis are REQUIRED to have an adequate tow loop on the nose of the ski.
Large easy to read 8 inch race numbers must be on the side cowlings of your ski. Sitdowns need an additional number
on the nose.
You need a full face moto-x style helmet - no exceptions
You need racing goggles - plastic sunglasses are not accepted.
You need a coast guard approved life vest
In the summer, a shorty wetsuit is recommended, in the colder months a full length wetsuit is mandatory. Gloves and footwear
is mandatory.
The only skis exempt from running a safety lanyard are the X-2's and the 550 standups. It is
recommended these skis convert and run lanyards for safety purposes, but all other ski classes are REQUIRED to have a working
lanyard.
It is highly recommended in the upper classes, racers consider the purchase of chest and back protectors, leg guards,
and neck braces.
The most important piece of equipment you need, is a little plastic card showing you have active medical insurance!
Q - Are DJSA races insured?
A - DJSA carrys event liability insurance at all locations we race at however that insurance does not cover the
racer on the race course. Some of our locations require multi million dollar 2nd party liability coverage or we would not
be able to run there. As with most other race events, whether it be cars, motorcycles, or PWC's, all DJSA riders "race at their own risk.
Any event insurance obtained is for 2nd party liability coverage only and does not cover racer to racer incidents.
Event liability insurance is expensive, and can account for you having to pay $100 entry fees for a single day of
racing... but we take care of our own insurance cost ourselves. In exchange, we ask that you race safe and watch
out for each other while obeying a few simple safety rules on the race course.
You as a racer will never be charged for insurance costs by way of higher entry fees, but you will be required
to show proof of current medical insurance at our races.. DJSA is currently negotiating for additional insurance with AFLAK
to cover racers on the water, but personal medical insurance coverage is still REQUIRED by racers at our events.
Safety measures
DJSA is fortunate to have one of the best water safety teams on the west coast working our races and watching your backs!
TEAM ORANGE rides highly visible orange and white skis, and the team wears orange safety vest so that there is no mistake
as to who the safety guys are out on the race course!
When a yellow flag incident takes place in a corner and a racer is in the water, the Team Orange Safety Team
will be yielded to at all times. There is no passing or scoring in a yellow flag corner. Racers are required to slow down,
hold position, and resume racing when clear of the corner. Racers disregarding the safety team's efforts in a yellow flag
corner, or who continue to race past the safety skis or a racer in the water with no regard for their safety, will be immediately
DQ'd the rest of the day.
Just the same as when you slow your car down on the freeway when you see a police car or ambulance with its
emergency lights on at an accident scene, you are required to do the same here - or we will ask you to race elsewhere.
DJSA enforces a mandatory ONE SKI LENGTH SAFE ZONE at all times to reduce the possibility of rubbing fiberglass
to fiberglass. The lead ski has the right of way at all times. You can pass outside in, inside out, or power around on the
outside, but you will maintain a one ski length safe zone AT ALL TIMES.
We've also added a 100 ft mandatory yield rule for racers who have fallen or washed out in a turn. Instead of accelerating
blindly back onto the course, a racer is REQUIRED to raise one hand, look back, and YIELD to any oncoming racer within 100
ft. This rule is in effect at all times to help prevent you from getting centerpunched when re-entering the race course.
We've taken many steps to help insure you have a safe enviornment in which to break into racing... the rest is up to
you!
Q - What designates the stock class from
the modified class?
A - We have merged stock class and modified classes together, and made them "open classes". We have
found very little difference between stock and modified skis over the past few seasons. State of the art hull design
and brute horsepower equals only one thing - Hot Damn Fast! Our class designations focus more on rider ability,
than on the make or modifications of a ski. The bottomline is, if you want to end up on the podium alot - practice alot.
Q- How are ties broken?
A - All racers run 3 heats in a day. Ties are broken by your placement in the last heat of the day.
Q- How is a DNS (did not start) scored?
A- 5 points plus # of riders in that race
Q-How is a DNF (did not finish) scored?
A- 3 points plus # of riders in that race.
How are series points awarded?
Points for the 2011 season will be awarded on the same scale as IJSBA closed course racing. Normally 5
skis make a scoring class but for classes with
4 skis running, points start at 2nd place value (53).
3 skis running, points start at 3rd place value. (48)
2 skis running, points start at 4th place value (43)
How are penaltys assessed?
If a racer misses a buoy on the course, they must navigate around 2 black
"penalty" buoys near the start finish line to make up for any missed buoy. If a racer does not take the penalty
"walk of shame" on their own, or fails to follow the flag official's directions, they will be docked one lap for each
buoy missed at the end of the heat.The penalty buoy pass is to be taken at NO WAKE SPEED.
If a racer violates the 1-ski length safe zone rule, or presents a safety hazard on the course, they will be black flagged
from the heat and will score a last place finish for that heat.
All penalties and violations will be reviewed and administered by the race directer.
