Welcome new racers to the Monster Energy Midwest Watercross Tour!  We hope that you will find everything you need on this website to help get you started in this exciting sport.  At PM Sports Marketing, we are committed to answering any questions that you have and to provide you with an opportunity to participate in a fun and exciting sport and meet new friends!  If you have any questions, no matter how silly they are, please feel free to call me at (586) 598-2856 or send me an e-mail at patrickmell@aol.com.  Below are some tips and suggestions to help make your first race smooth and enjoyable.

See you on the beach!

Patrick Mell 

Tips For New Racers

PRE-EVENT PLANNING

Knowledge is everything   Know the registration times and locations, how to get to the race site, deadlines and get your registration in early to avoid paying late fees.  You can not race if you’re not registered, and if you do not show up on time, you will not be allowed to race - so plan ahead!  Registration and directions to each event can be found on the Web site and in the Competitor's Guide.  Your best source of information will be to surf all the pages of this website and by read the APBA  rulebook at  - www.APBARACING.com .

Lodging/Camping   If you plan on staying overnight at the events, make sure you make your hotel reservations early or check what events camping is available.  Many of the events take place in resort towns, so make your reservations early to insure that you get a room.  All the hotel and camping information is available on the Web site.  Normally a room block is set aside for event participants, where a special rate has been negotiated, so make sure you mention "Midwest Watercross Tour" when you call for a reservation.  Also it is wise to get directions to the hotel before leaving for the event.

Don’t leave home without   Tools, fuel, oil, gear, spare parts, beverages, etc.  Make a checklist of all items and equipment you will need for the race and then use it.  Other nice things to have, but not required at the races are a cooler, EZ-Up tent or something for shade, watercraft stand, watercraft tote and ATV.  If you do not have a watercraft tote or ATV to launch you watercraft, another racer or the Midwest Watercross Tour staff will assist you.  Most of the events have boat ramps but some do not. 

Get plenty of rest the night before   You will have a long busy day at your first event until you get used to the routine.  Get plenty of rest and leave the “partying” to those you want to beat.

Show up early   This will get you a better pit area and will allow you to relax during your preparation.  For all races, plan on arriving on site no later than 7:00 am for each day you are racing and even earlier if you have not parked your trailer and know where the site is.  As soon as you arrive on site, establish your pit area and park your trailer.  Then immediately go over to the event registration area and check-in, sign the waiver and release, and register if you have not pre-registered.  PRE-REGISTRATION is highly recommended.  Once checked-in, then have your boat “technically inspected” by the PM Sports Marketing Race Staff.  It will be your responsibility to get your boat to the Tech/Checkpoint area for inspection.  Listen to PA announcements and ask at registration where they are "Teching" boats.

Get to know the people around your pit area   Do not be afraid to ask for assistance from other racers.  You will find that most racers on the Tour are great people and are always willing to help out a first-time racer.  Do not forget to offer you help too!  Later, your good intentions will be rewarded many times over.

Know who your “Holder(s)” will be   For Closed Course events you will need to have one holder for the Ski classes and two holders for the Sport and Runabout classes.  Know who your holder(s) will be before you go to the line for your race.  If you do not have a holder or enough holders ask some of the other racers if "they will hold for you".  Other racers are usually more than willing to help you out.  If you ask someone to hold, make sure you remember to tell them what races you are in.  If you have problems finding a holder, ask the announcer before the race to call for a holder and he will find you one.

Attend the Mandatory Rider's Meeting   Not only is it determined mandatory by the APBA, there will be valuable information given at each Rider's Meeting.  Plus, there may be a fine is you are not present!   After the Race Director presents the Rider's Meeting information to all racers, he will meet with all the first-time riders and go over in more detail concerns and questions that Beginner riders may have. Pay attention and do not be afraid to ask questions.

Course Orientation/Practice   Course Orientation/Practice should be used strictly for what it is – allowing yourself to learn the course.  The Course Marshall will lead you around the course for the first lap and then let you run several laps on your own.  Once again, practice is to learn the race course and NOT A RACE.  There are no points or awards for riders who finish first in practice.  Do not pass other riders during practice.

Boat Modifications    With your wallet as your guide, start with a “Stock” boat and slowly work up the modifications ladder.  Whether you are competing in "Stock”, "Limited" or a “SuperStock” class, know which modifications the rules allow. (Read the APBA Rulebook).  >> CLICK HERE FOR RULEBOOK

Frequently asked Technical Questions   >> CLICK HERE

RACING AND PRACTICE

Sample Race Course   Below is a diagram of a sample race course.  Races normally have a split start (depending on location) in which there are two first turns (an inside and an outside split).

  

Practice your starts before you go to a race   Closed Course races will normally utilize the rubberband method of starting.   See the APBA Rulebook for a description of this starting system and practice starting from shore utilizing a holder if you can.

Course Orientation   Following the Mandatory Riders Meeting, a  “Course Orientation” will be executed by a PM Sports Marketing Course Marshall. The purpose of the course orientation is to allow riders to familiarize themselves with the track.

During the race   Ride your PACE and race your RACE.  Know what you can do.  If you are new to Watercross racing, do not get caught up in the start of the race.  Allow others to make mistakes and then take advantage of their mistakes.  While you may be running only a 10-15 minute race, it will feel like you are out there much longer - TRUST ME.

Be a leader   Don’t follow others on the race course – they may be going the wrong way!  If you THINK you missed a buoy or marker, safely go back to pick it up.  For each buoy that you miss you will be docked a full lap so make sure you do not miss any buoys and are know the race course.

Report to Tech  All riders are required to report to Tech immediately after each race.   Make sure you remember to report to Tech or you will be disqualified. 

Pit Board   The Pit Board will be your best friend. The Pit Board will tell you what races you are in and how you finished in your races.  Make sure you check the pit board when it is announced in the morning that it is posted and make sure you are in the correct classes.  After you race, it usually takes at least 30 minutes for the results to be computed, confirmed, entered and posted.  Check the pit board to see how you finished and if you qualified for the main event or need to go to the Last Chance Qualifier.  If there were not heats for your class (heats are required if there are more than the maximum number of riders allowed on the line at one time in your class), you can assume your will be automatically in the final or the second moto if the moto scoring system is being used.  DO NOT assume that you made it to the main event without checking the pit board.  You may have missed a buoy and do not even know it.  

The Best Tip   The best source of information is those riders around you.  Racers on the Midwest Watercross Tour are very friendly and very willing to help there fellow racer.  They will help you gain the knowledge that will make you a confident Watercross racer.  Watch, ask questions, learn and have fun!

SAFETY GEAR

Motocross Pants or Wetsuit   It’s a personal preference, but in general, the pants are cooler and the wetsuits protect better.  But again, it’s a personal preference.

Helmets   As they say – “a ten-dollar helmet is good for a ten-dollar head.”  A good motocross helmet (Snell approved) is the best way to go.  Stay away from the “watercraft” helmets that incorporate the hard Styrofoam for the lining.  You want comfort.  If you can afford it, the lighter Kevlar/Carbon Fiber helmets can make a big difference.  

Proper protective gear   Is a Must!  Don’t get caught without the following:

Footwear: Watercraft racing boots, wrestling shoes, high-top tennis shoes, etc.  They all work.

Gloves: Watercraft racing types are good.  Some like to use water-skiing gloves.

Goggles: A good pair of goggles is very important when racing watercraft. Rain-X on the goggles definitely helps to keep water off and your goggles from fogging.  To prevent from losing you goggles use duct tape or a pair of "Goggle Grips" to keep them from falling off.  The inventor of Goggle Grip is from Region Six and will be at all the races selling Goggle Grip if you need a pair.

REGISTRATION

In addition to the standard “Mail-In” registration will also offer "On-Line" and "On-Site” Registration. Pre-registration entries must be received the Wednesday before each event.  All others will be considered late.  Please plan on Pre-registering to save time and money.  Your first event will be much easier if you pre-register for the event..

“Late Registration”  will be offered at the Race Site, on the morning of the race.  Late Registration will be 7:00 am to 8:00am.  No entries will be accepted after this time.  There is a standard $10 Late Fee for all “late entries.”

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the American Power Boat Association (APBA)?
The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is a governing body for power boat racing in the United States.  The APBA is the oldest racing organization in the United States and in 2003 APBA celebrated its 100-year anniversary.  With more than 5,000 racing members, the APBA sanctions over 200 events each year for just about any motorized watercraft imaginable from Unlimited Hydroplanes to rough riding Offshore boats, to Personal Watercraft.  The APBA organizes and assists regional racing promoters in the United States, and regulates a variety of personal watercraft racing competitions. These competitions include the popular Watercross, which is also referred to as Closed Course racing, Freestyle, Slalom events, along with the emerging Endurance and Offshore racing.  The APBA is an International affiliate of the International Jet Sports Boating Association  (IJSBA) representing the United States.  The APBA Personal Watercraft Racing (PWR) program was created to help racers, manufacturers and sponsors benefit form the rapidly expanding sport of watercraft racing.  

Do I have to be an APBA member in order to race?
In order to race in an APBA sanctioned event you need to be a competition member or you can sign up ONCE for a single-event competition membership.  A single event membership is $20.00 and only allows you the right to race and does not include any membership benefits. 

Do I have to be an IJSBA member in order to race?
No, you only have to be an APBA member. 

I've decided to become an APBA member, how do I sign up?
There are three ways to join the APBA.
1. On-line registration through this website.
2. Download a membership application on this web site and mail it to APBA.
3.  Sign up with your regional promoter at the races.

What does the APBA Competition Membership include?
For $70.00 you can race in APBA sanctioned events all over the United States in the following watercraft racing categories: Watercross, Slalom, Freestyle, Endurance and Offshore. There are 3 levels of competition, which include Regional and National events, as well as the World Finals.

In addition to being able to race in the above events, you will also receive a membership kit which includes; a magazine, a membership card, APBA stickers, an APBA competition rule book, discount on APBA merchandise, and more!!

What are the different classes I can race in?
New racers can race in the Novice and/or Beginner classes.  The APBA separates the riders into classes based on the type of watercraft you own (i.e. Ski, Runabout) and the Modifications (i.e. Stock, Limited, Open). The Beginner classer are usually an open class.  Check with your local promoter to see what classes he/she offers.

How do I enter a race?
The first thing you need to do is find who the race promoter in your area is and decide which event you want to attend.  Once you've selected the racing events you want to attend, you can get the appropriate racing forms from your local promoter or their Web site. Please keep in mind that each event has a specific deadline for registration and there may be penalties or additional fees for late registration.  

What kind of safety gear do I need and where do I get it?
Safety is a critical part of racing and should be taken very seriously.  Helmets, goggles, footwear, wetsuits, gloves are some of the equipment necessary.  All of this equipment is available at your local watercraft dealer.

What about numbers for my boat and what number can I run?
The APBA requires  a specific size and color of backgrounds to race depending on skill level.  Numbers and backgrounds are available for sale at most of the races.  Clear, legible numbers are very important. Remember, if the numbers cannot be read while the watercraft is moving, the rider stand a good chance of not being scored properly. It is the responsibility of the rider to have the proper size and color numbers and backgrounds.  See the rulebook for the correct size background and number.

Riders can pick any number from 101 to 999. Numbers 1-100 are earned numbers.  We suggest you buy the numbers at the races, so you will make sure you do not put a number on your watercraft that someone already has, and have to replace the numbers you already bought.

What are the rules and where do I get them?
The APBA events are run by the APBA rulebook.  APBA members will receive an APBA Competition rulebook as part of their membership. You may also go to the APBA Web site and view the entire rulebook for a quick reference.  Because new rules are implemented during the course of the year it's important to check the APBA Web sites for rule updates. It is the racers responsibility to check this before competing!

For the IJSBA World Finals you must check the IJSBA website.  For the most part the rules for closed course racing are similar with the exception of the APBA runs a Stock Spec class and not the IJSBA Stock class.  The APBA also runs a Pro-Am GP Ski class and not Pro Ski Open. While the IJSBA runs the GP Ski class at the World Finals it does not have any rules for the class.

CLICK HERE FOR THE IJSBA RULEBOOK

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