A Member Looks at Racing

[Matt Braley]

So I'm really gonna do it. Next weekend I am driving down to the Tampa area to catch the last practice day of the Hydro X Racing Tour (Region 7). I'm just gonna show up by myself and meet a bunch of new strangers who have all been racing previously. I'm a huge fan of the "Glory Days" of Seadoo and the PWC in general (mid 90's imo). So I figured I'd try to go experience it before I get too old and fat.

Of coarse I also need to size these guys up. I mean, how fast are they? I love to modify X4's but have decided to leave my own work as the recreational riders. I have two completely built race skis. One is a limited(everything you can bolt on to the 787 while leaving the longblock stock) and my Super Stock that allows the porting of cases and cylinders. My plan is to take the limited next weekend and see how it keeps up. This leaves me the option of upgrading to the Super Stock if need be.

Needless to say physical conditioning is in order. I rode buys for the fist time a couple of weeks ago and I have never been more sore. I could run about 4 laps with the confidence of knowing it would be darn near impossible to pass me or even keep up with me but after that my arms are worthless. Pacing myself and retaining the strength to stay on the craft is gonna be paramount. I've "ragdolled" myself off X4's twice attempting U-turns before at high speed.

So lets take a look. I sit here in my chair on the computer talking Seadoos with you while the wife watches house wife shows (rich 13itches arguing). I've talked enough and purchased enough Seadoo stuff to already make myself pretty well known in this wonderful, yet small community. But it's getting time now for me to put myself and my skis out there on the next level. I will be completely honest on how it is and what it takes for anybody else that considers slapping a # on the side of their X4 and signing a waiver. Wish me luck. Or better yet help improve my game before I embarrass myself(too late?).

First pic is of me right now. Second is my 1997 Neptune built Super Stock on the line in 97. The third is of it now torn apart in my tool shed. The forth is my limited when I got it and fifth is it beside my Striped ski that now will be a pump gas burning river runner. Please feel free to comment, criticize, and suggest.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

well.. I wish you the best, the race crowd is an interesting one...
i'll be there as well on the 24th, but to do nothing more than join the rec ride, look forward to seeing you there.

 

[ocod]

Matt,

Best of luck out there.
We'll all be cheering for local racer and help in the pits/water.
You'll need a good launch to get you into the front.

:seeya:

 

[Jetskigoodies]

Good luck, tuning your machines must be an art with all the AM parts you buy.

 

[Matt Braley]

Well there is a learning curve to anything worth while and I'm at the bottom of it now. I have a GPS for speed, a digital Tach for revs and Racepak to measure egt(exhaust gas temperature).

Tim and Oscar- thanks for the support. I don't really feel alone in it that way. I need some Seadooforum stickers for the race machines atriot:

 

[racerxxx]

Matt,

BIG props to you man, your doing something I always wanted to do back in the 90's. I'm sure you and your skis will do great and I wish you the best. Race smart, race safe, and keep your head in the game.

 

[CReynoldsMIZ]

Well there is a learning curve to anything worth while and I'm at the bottom of it now. I have a GPS for speed, a digital Tach for revs and Racepak to measure egt(exhaust gas temperature).

Tim and Oscar- thanks for the support. I don't really feel alone in it that way. I need some Seadooforum stickers for the race machines atriot:

YES! I agree. I would be proud to sport some seadooforum stickers on my ski as well...have there ever been any made before?

 

[manolocross]

Go for it Matt!!! Good luck....def get a seadooforum.com sticker on the back of ski so when you pass them they can read it!!!!

 

[Dr Honda]

You may want to PM a member named Rampage. I think he's racing down in FL. He could probably give you some good tips.

 

[sselzer]

Matt is that why you brought that rev limiter from me LOL. Best of luck, I wish is was off next weekend, as I live in the Tampabay area, and would have loved to meet you. Sean

 

[Matt Braley]

Thanks guys!

I think Rampage may be the guy who has taken over Region 7. At least he goes by Rampage 81 on another forum. If so then I've already got a couple questions his way waiting on an answer. The sport would have been long gone if not for the enthusiasm of the stand up guys, however they can be a little prissy toward runabout riders for some reason. I'm just ready to show up with a kind smile and a firm handshake and ask those questions in person.

 

[nammer]

good luck matt, i'm sure by the time u leave there, those other guys are gonna be like, "I can't believe THE matt braley came"

but also, where is this all happening, are they setting up a buoy run or are u guys going long distance, basically my q is if I come out to watch (is it free?) will I be able to see anything?

 

[Matt Braley]

Yes it's free and of coarse you can see everything. Usually the coarse is not that far off shore.

BTW if they have heard of me then they probably roll their eyes and think"oh yeah, that over enthusiastic newb" or "that guy who found the Neptune ski". It's gonna take a minute to earn some respect in their world and I like that.

I will have a lot of spare parts to trade and help others with so that wont hurt. I want to talk X4 performance but they might be a little reluctant since any info I get from them will soon be used against them.

 

[ocod]

Thanks guys!

I think Rampage may be the guy who has taken over Region 7. At least he goes by Rampage 81 on another forum. If so then I've already got a couple questions his way waiting on an answer. The sport would have been long gone if not for the enthusiasm of the stand up guys, however they can be a little prissy toward runabout riders for some reason. I'm just ready to show up with a kind smile and a firm handshake and ask those questions in person.

I think his name is Brandon and Brett head up the Hydro ProX. They are the race promoters.
He's the same on pwctoday as rampage81

 

[donkey]

nice matt! good luck and have fun!
if u have a problem with arm pump,try a stick with a weight tied to it(couple feet long rope)then roll it up n down.
its gonna hurt at first,then it'l get easier.we do this for motocross and desert racing,works great!

 

[Seadoobuddy]

I think his name is Brandon and Brett head up the Hydro ProX. They are the race promoters.
He's the same on pwctoday as rampage81

Rampage name is Brad and he works at Action Kawi sports in Bradenton. Real nice guy and is trying to build up the racing "fun".
check out the threads he has posted about his "Jumping Ramp"

 

[nammer]

cool, so what day, time, and location?

 

[Spimothy Leary]

cool, so what day, time, and location?

i believe its the same day as the bradenton ride, same river, same spot, (i cold be wrong on this) If I understand correctly we'll be launching within a mile or two of the "race" groups location, but i'm going on 2nd hand info on thisl

 

[nammer]

i believe its the same day as the bradenton ride, same river, same spot, (i cold be wrong on this) If I understand correctly we'll be launching within a mile or two of the "race" groups location, but i'm going on 2nd hand info on thisl

sweet sounds good, more reason to go to manatee river that day

 

[Spimothy Leary]

sweet sounds good, more reason to go to manatee river that day

yip, the we knew we were riding the area sometime soon but when he mentioned the 24th, that solidified the date

 

[Matt Braley]

nice matt! good luck and have fun!
if u have a problem with arm pump,try a stick with a weight tied to it(couple feet long rope)then roll it up n down.
its gonna hurt at first,then it'l get easier.we do this for motocross and desert racing,works great!

I can't quite picture this yet but it sounds exactly like what I need to be doing. Could you help me see this a little better? No shortage of sticks weights and ropes around here.

I'm excited about the 24th. When I'm done with the buoys I can switch to my rec ski and explore that river with you guys.

 

[skewba98z28]

Best of luck to you Matt! Love the stipes on the white ski! Makes me want to stripe mine like that but I don't want to be a copy cat

 

[Matt Braley]

Best of luck to you Matt! Love the stipes on the white ski! Makes me want to stripe mine like that but I don't want to be a copy cat

Thanks Skewba but I was a copy cat. This is what I went off of. It is the only pic I have of Karen Countryman's Neptune tuned ski. The kids helped me with it and we had fun. I wish I had that air induction high top seat there(Minnetonta4me's brother 99spxx does). I would not want to have faced that lady on the race coarse, she looks pretty dang serious!

 

[skewba98z28]

Nice! Ive been wanting to do something graphics wise on my boat to really make it stand out. Those stripes would be cool. Thought about putting tiger stripes on it! Lol!! Think the animal print got played out a while back in the street bike world though. I need to find some old mags to get some ideas. Idk almost crossing into the poser world since my boat is completely stock under the seat! Haha
Wonder where those seats came from?
Yeah she does look serious! Look at her arms!!!

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Awesome to hear Matt. There is one thing you need to practice....starts.

All you need is a long chunk of silicone hose, couple posts, and a few friends. You will need a couple guys to hold for you...usually people are helpful and will step in, but you are better off with guys you know and have practiced with.

Make sure to brapp out the waterbox before they are about to snap the line. Then they drop the rear of the ski in the water and you throttle as much as your holders can hold. Pull them a little...get right to the line.