In attempt to help you guys out...

This time of year, the water conditions are unpredictable. It could be glass in the morning, and then by lunchtime it has choppy 2 footers everywhere. No sets that you can "time"...it's just washing machine action.

You need to set your skis up to maximum hook-up and handling. GPR's need to run 3 degree nozzles, aggressive intakes and extended trim tabs or aftermarket tabs. The same goes with other ski models.

Top speed will be useless in the Gulf. The second sand bar is tricky and can cause even the best riders (read Mac, Motz and Rius) to get tossed. If your ski is set-up right..you can pass at the second sand bar. Ask Kenny Ritchie. Top-end means nothing. Holeshot means less, because of the chop conditions, can make you spin and lose positions.

Have a prop that allows good bottom-end and good recovery from wash conditions. You do not need top-end speed props...no. Skat pumps and X props are at a premium here for racing. Just remember, you're finals will be in the afternoon...this is when the surf and chop conditions are at their peak.

Have a seat that has your arse "glued" to it.

Sand, sand, sand...everywhere. Do not beach your watercraft..this will load your pump with sand that eventually makes it's way into the engine. Potentially causing over heating, if it does not get cleared out. So, cut your throttle and engine, 10-20 feet off the beach, then dolly your ski to the beach. Trust me...this is paramount. I've raced/ridden/lived here for years, I have learned the hard way.

Zip tie every freakin' thing that is loose in your ski.

Run your carburetion a little rich...your ski will have warm water and warm, moist Gulf air to contend with. It is safer to run richer because of the RAD changes. Lean will cause you to lose power @ wot during the race..Trust me.

If you have any other set-up questions...just e-mail me.

Mike

thanks mike for great insider information.

i'll be down with the gpr and having a blast in destin soon (i've had enough snow).

Any "Pistonwash Secrets" that focus on the gpr, and are still stock class legal? Pipe tricks?

I think I am gonna need every trick in the book to make my gpr get out of its own way. HA

YOO HOO !!!!!!! Im itchin' to get out in that surf and do some racin'!!!!!!! Lived, ridden and raced here for years..........Nothing like it. Can't Wait !!!!!! See ya'll the 22nd and 23rd.

ft. walton rocks!
i love that washboard!!!!!!!
i just hope mike doesn't back out again from this venue.
i'm leaving the doo home and running the yamaha that weekend.
better stay out of my way when i start lapping!!!

What class you race onefastjim ?

stock 800
stock 1200
novice 1200 limited
novice 200 s.s.
am vets

fastjim,

that is a lot of skis. looks like i'll be lining up next to you in stock 1200, if you are in novice that is.

what ski's are you running?

96 yamaha venture with a 99 gp motor with all the bolt ons.
it's limited
and stock class i run my 96 sea doo xp
i will be in novice classes
all my friends run expert so i usually hold for them .
that and my boats don't have a chance with many in expert class is why i run novice.
i did run expert with the venture and got a 4th in s.s. with 12 entrys once.
that was funny.
i just run to have fun.
i'm not that serious of a racer.
if i know someone is into the points i'll let them pass me.
at 45 i just race to keep in shape.
p.s. my sister lived in hopewell.
hows the town now?

hopewell is good (i have been there for 1 yr). only problems besides a cow wandering off(haha) is the major road rt 31 is being all torn up and widened. what a mess.

I think i have heard of your stuff. do you race or live by NC or SC by any chance? Couple of guys I know have told me stories about a venture that is pretty quick. not sure if they siad where it was based out of.

i'll be down and I am running with a couple of guys who race seadoos. i have a white and silver gpr #819. Come on by and say hi - always nice to meet people.

i now live in n.c. but still own my home in sunny south fla.
sure do miss the year round riding!
i'll look you up at walton.
p.s. i think all the roads in n.j. are under construction.
at least wherever i drive thats all i run into.
at walton i'm going to try to set a moto shade up as close to the start line as possible.
see ya there.

jim,

all the roads in nj are under construction. i can vouch for that because i am a engineer and work for nj dept of trans.

catch you at the race