Great Lakes Watercross Announces That It Too Will Be Racing Under IJSBA Sanctioning

Last week I heard a rumor that another PWC race promoter was going to leave the APBA and race under the sanctioning of the IJSBA (International Jet Sport Boating Association). This rumor was confirmed today by a post on the IJSBA web site.

2009 Great Lakes Watercross

March 31, 2009

Pro Tour Promotions will be an independent promoter for the 2009 Race Series. With this change, we will be using the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) rule book for governing our race series.

The IJSBA is the original Personal Watercraft Race sanctioning organization and founder of the National Tour. The IJSBA also produces the World Finals Event which is the largest gathering of personal watercraft racers.

Great Lakes Watercross participants will need to purchase an annual IJSBA competition card for the 2009 season. For information on purchasing your competition card or other member benefits please visit our website or go to www.ijsba.com.

As promoters of PWC racing events, we feel this is a positive move towards the continued growth of personal watercraft racing in the United States.

Scott Hyke 608-284-7676
www.greatlakeswatercross.com

Two weeks ago I reported that region 8 promoter, Upstate Watercraft Promotions was also leaving the APBA to race under the sanctioning of the IJSBA. In the week in between, AJ Handler of UWP was interview on the Liquid Speed Show and basically said that he had spoken with Patrick Mell (Chairman of the APBA) and that they had come to a gentlemen’s agreement and that they would both exist in the spirit of co-opetition instead of competition.

I think that the co-opetition between the two sanctioning bodies can be a great thing for the sport, it leaves the racers in these regions out of competition for APBA National titles as these are the sole race promoters for these regions. To further complicate the matter the IJSBA does not have “National” titles as they are an International sanctioning body.

This continues to be a developing story and I’m curious to see if another race promoter will be recruited in these regions to race under APBA sanctioning.

Tags: APBA, IJSBA, Jet Ski Racing, Jetski Racing, PWC Racing