MotorActionMedia.com received the official update from P1 Aqua X staff on the IJSBA National Championships that will be held in Cocoa Beach.
P1 is all set to host the IJSBA National Championships in Cocoa Beach, Florida alongside the penultimate round of the P1 AquaX USA Series on September 18th – 20th.
UK-based international sports promoter, Powerboat P1 is poised for its first venture into the World Personal Watercraft Closed Course competition as it makes final preparations for the Cocoa Beach Grand Prix of the Sea, Florida on 18th -20th September.
P1 is the rights holder and promoter of AquaX, a flourishing international endurance racing series that takes place in the USA and UK, and is set to embark on a new challenge as it adds the coveted IJSBA National Closed Course Championship to its already impressive marine motorsports platform. “We are aiming to attract some of the best personal watercraft racers in the world to this event” said Lisa Barsby, Head of PWC racing at P1. “It’s a great way to showcase how we do things here at P1 and also what we have already achieved with the AquaX program.”
The IJSBA US National Closed Course titles are the most sought-after in the sport. Racers would normally fight for the crown over a series of rounds, but this year P1 has won the rights to stage a winner takes all, one-off event. Michelle Petro, AquaX USA Series Organizer has been working tirelessly to promote the event. “It’s a first for me” she explained.”We’ve never hosted a closed course event, especially such a prestigious as this, so it’s exciting to be involved. I’ve already had a lot of interest from the racers so we’re expecting a very good entry”.
The National Closed Course Championships will take place alongside the penultimate round of AquaX USA, providing a feast of high powered, adrenaline-packed personal watercraft action. The event starts on Friday 18th September with rider registration and a mandatory practice session for the closed course racers only. The real battle begins on Saturday morning when the racers head out onto the surf for the first of three races in the hope of taking home the National Title and a slice of the twelve thousand dollar prize purse.
Former World Champion Amy Green will be taking on the challenging role of Race Directing for both disciplines, and she knows a few things or two about racing in the surf. “Cocoa Beach has some of the cleanest wave action in the US, and will provide a excellent opportunity for racers to show their skill among the best in the country” commented Amy. “Timing, handling, and smart lines will be key, making this event more than a battle of pure horsepower. From a racer’s perspective, there is no better type of venue.”
In addition to the racing programme, the sport’s most spectacular class, the Pro Freestyle competition, is set to attract the USA’s top protagonists. Competitors have just two minutes to thrill a panel of judges with an innovative display of high-speed tricks and back flips. Qualifying starts from 12.00 on Saturday, followed by the grand final on Sunday afternoon.
The premier classes will be broadcast in a 60-minute highlights show on Fox Sports at 8pm on Sunday evening. Further delayed broadcasts of the 60-minute show will be screened on Fox Sports Regional Networks in the USA and on international channels. But fans can catch all the action on the live stream from Saturday morning.
For more information on the upcoming IJSBA Closed course National Championships presented by P1 AquaX USA, check out their website by clicking here.
EVENT SCHEDULE
FRIDAY SEPT 18th 2015
7.00am Pits Open
9.00am Rider Registration
09.30am Tech inspection
3.00pm Mandatory Practice – Closed Course only
6.00pm AquaX Riders’ meeting
6.30pm IJSBA Closed Course Riders’ meeting
SATURDAY SEPT 19th 2015
7.00am Weather Briefing
8.00am Last Chance Practice/AquaX training
9.30am AQX 250/200 Practice & Race 1
10.30am AQX 300 Practice & Race 1
11.30pm Fly board & Lunch break
12.00 Freestyle Qualifying
12.30pm IJSBA Closed Course – Race 1
3.30pm AQX 200/250 Race 2
4.15pm AQX 300 Race 2
Photos by Ronny Mac, courtesy of P1 Aqua X