MotorActionMedia.com interviews Leslie and Owen Adams, professional PWC drag racers and JetRenu athletes.
Leslie & Owen, I understand that you both participate in the Lucas Oil drag races — how did you get involved in this sport? I also understand that you do some closed course racing, which came first?
Owen & I grew up drag racing our friends in cars. Take off to a secluded road and burn rubber. We both like speed. But we got into Closed Course after attending the 2014 IJSBA World Finals and seeing that a lot of the racers were our age. I said to Owen, “We can do this!” He agreed and did the research leading us to IJSBA and Ross Wallach’s Best of the West Series. Then one day on the lake we met Typhoon Tommy Tutera of Typhoon Cooling who told us about the Lucas Oil Hydro Drags and the PWC class. We have competed in 1 event and are hooked.
What have been some of your favorite career accomplishments or memories?
Owen has 3 trophies from our 2015 series and I hold 2 World Titles.
How would you describe the difference between closed course and drag racing? Which do you prefer?
Owen prefers drag racing because there’s no bumpin’ and grinding. He likes the precision and timing of drag racing. I love both. But my heart doesn’t race on the start line against my closed course runabout competition like it pounds when I’m at the rope of the drag race because it’s all on me and my reactions. The ski does what he does — yes he, my ski is named Kyle and Owen’s is named Stan, from South Park.
Leslie, as a female racer myself, I know it isn’t easy to stack up with the boys. You’re doing it on a runabout! Do you have any advice for young girls who may be interested in racing a runabout in the future?
I say just jump in there! I love throwing myself into something new and unknown. One of my favorite things is to take kids out on my ski and let them drive. The laughter and squeals heard as they try to control a ski just makes my day. And if they love it, I’m that much more excited to invite them along.
They say it takes a team to make the magic happen — how is your team dynamic different than some of the others that might be at the races?
Owen and I have been together 25 years, so we know each other and communicate well. For our teams Bad Betty Squadron and Hound Dog Racing, it’s all about what we can do to make the event better for everyone. We work out strategies and work to do our part to support our teams. We cannot give enough thanks to the Sanchez’s of Bad Betty Squadron, Tommy Tutera, Mike Adams and Jim Howard of Hound Dog Racing for helping us get started.
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
Getting the details and logistics of our skis dialed in for the drag races. And learning what we can going into the next season. Being rookies, there is a lot to learn.
What are your goals for the drag racing world championships? How are you feeling coming into it?
To win Lucas Oil World Finals for PWC, of course! Napa/Lucas Oil World Finals will be held at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Arizona this year November 4 through the 6. We are feeling good coming into this as there aren’t many skis, so there is a chance to win but I will be running against veterans.
What are your plans for next season?
It’s practice time as this coming season starts early with Lucas Oil Hydro Drags followed by the IJSBA Best of the West Series and we are hoping to make an off shore appearance or two.
I understand that you are sponsored by JetRenu, what are your favorite JetRenu products? How do you use them?
I use all my Jet Renu products on everything. I love the Purple Wax & Wash for my skis and my floors it works amazing on cleaning without stripping the finish. I follow up with the Pink Waterspot Remover on my ski to make the black shine! And it works well on my ATV as I live on a dirt road. The Jet Renu Protector brought the depth back into the faded parts of my ski which makes me happy because it’s like new again.
What do you love most about racing?
I love the people, the camaraderie and the competition. We were just two people with Jet Skis that just showed up at various events and were immediately welcomed into the sport. We want to keep perpetuating that with pride and excitement to draw in more riders. In fact, my BF just bought a new ski and is ready to join, so YAY!!
Feel free to thank friends/family/sponsors.
We would like to thank Nanette at Jet Renu for everything she does for us and our teams. We feel blessed to have made so many good relationships with the people in our sport. Shout out to Nanette & Aaron Sanchez, Johnathan Mangan who has always been there to help us, Evelyn Mangan, Jeff & Renee Hill, Typhoon Tommy Tutera, Mike The Space Cowboy Adams, Jim Hound Dog Howard, Pete Harris Lonestar Trucking and Kommander Industries and Brittany Hegemann our Pit Crew. And a special thanks to my mom Sue Nadeker who paid my entry fee into this year’s IJSBA World Finals, it was much appreciated, and Owen’s mom Noreen for showing up at our first drag race watching the dog, feeding us and being our pit driver.
