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 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!
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 5 points plus the number of racers in that
class.
DNS (did not start) are scored 10 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 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!
We have also added the SCXP Supersit class. This Super Charged and Xtra Power Super class
is for experienced racers running highly modified skis, supercharged skis, or for expert / pro
riders. Our rolling thunder SCXP Super Sitdown class is definately the one where you hear the roar of thunder!
Recent additions for the 2010 season include the creation of the 850 intermediate-expert standup
class. This class is designed for 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!
Heres some more heat... the sport sit class has been bumped up from 900cc's to 11oo cc's and
under, and the class is now divided by skill level and scored separately. Novice racers with 3 years of race experience or
less - and intermediate / expert GP riders with mad skills, and some mad motor mods to go with it! This class
has become a serious crowd pleaser and I can't get enough of watching all these "Blaster Masters" who have come out of the
woodwork to race!!!
These guys RIP IT!
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 standups.
Sitdowns must maintain a fire extinguisher on board.
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.
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 covers event liability insurance at locations where it is required, however that does
not cover the racer. 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 and not the racers. Event liability insurance can account for you
having to pay $100 entry fees for a single day of racing... we take care of our own insurance cost ourselves or by
the way of help from our sponsors. You as a racer will never be charged for those 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 to cover racers on the water, but personal medical insurance coverage will still be REQUIRED
by racers at our events.
Permits and Safety measures
Most DJSA events are set up on the open river at locations not physically accessable by
spectators which keeps them out of harms way. Coast Guard permits are obtained for each race site on navigable waters allowing
us use of a particular area of water for our races. "Team Orange", our 5 staff "safety skis" detour recreational boats and
watercraft from entering the race course, and render aid to riders who are down in the water.
DJSA enforces a mandatory ONE SKI LENGTH SAFE ZONE in the corners which is intended to reduce
the possibility of rubbing fiberglass to fiberglass. 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! If any ski is substantially
faster than other stock skis in it's class, the racer will bump up to the next class the following season. Our
class designations focus more on rider ability, than on the make or modifications of a ski.
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- 10 points plus # of riders in that race
Q-How is a DNF (did not finish) scored?
A- 5 points plus # of riders in that race.
How are series points awarded?
Points for the 2010 season will be awarded on the same scale as IJSBA closed course racing.
Normally 3 skis make a scoring class but for classes with 3 skis, series
points start at 3rd place value. (1st - 48, 2nd - 43, 3rd - 39) For classes with only 2 skis running, points start
at 4th place value (1st - 43, 2nd -39)
How are penaltys assessed?
If a racer misses a buoy on the course, they must navigate
around a black "penalty" buoy near the start finish line to make up for any missed buoy. If a racer does not
take the penalty 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.
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.
