DAYTONA FREERIDE JOINS PRO WATERCROSS

Topping off a successful season packed with new events, new fans, new athletes and new venues, Pro Watercross has recently forged a partnership that will once again expand the range of competitions held under the Pro Watercross banner.

"We are proud to announce that the Daytona Freeride will now be a Pro Watercross-sanctioned event," CEO A.J. Handler said. "I'm excited to have Nicholas Foederer join the Pro Watercross family as an event organizer."

One of the most popular freestyle events on the east coast, Foederer's Daytona Freeride draws competitors from across the country as well as garnering international attention.

"I'm happy to be working with Pro Watercross and with A.J.," Foederer said. "I think he represents the most professional thing we've got going in the sport right now and I want to work with someone who is that professional."

Pro Watercross' long-standing expertise in working with venue representatives - both private sector and municipal officials - is something that stands to benefit event organizers and help smooth the logistics process, Foederer added. Pro Watercross' expanding media coverage, including national television as well as livestreaming outlets, is also playing a key role in attracting new sectors of the personal watercraft sport.

"I really like what they did with the Pro Watercross tour this year; they are really putting things together," Foederer said. "I think Pro Watercross can help me get to where I want to be with the Freeride."

The 2017 Daytona Freeride, which will be held January 12-15, will stake out a new stretch of Daytona beachfront. "We'll be closer to the pier and all of the Daytona activities, and we have a new host hotel, the Ocean Breeze Club," he said.

For more information or to register for the 2017 Daytona Freeride, visit www.daytonafreeride.com or www.facebook.com/groups/DaytonaFreerideEvent.

2017 PRO WATERCROSS DATES AROUND THE USA

With the holidays right around the corner it won't be long before many of you will be ready to hit the water, whether it is for fun, freestyle or racing. The northern part of the country is being covered with a blanket of white snow and to be honest it just makes us think of the white sandy beaches of the gulf coast and the first two stops of the tour... Pro Watercross is always working to improve the tour looking for new venues and ways to advance our sport and today we are pleased to announce the tentative 2017 national tour dates as well as the dates for Pro Watercross sanctioned events. As the 2017 race season draws closer, event organizers; Great Lakes Watercross, Surf & Turf Promotions and Typhoon Tommy's regional dates will be finalized as well as the introduction of a US National HydroFlight Championship tour.

Pro Watercross has been considering the idea of breaking the National Tour into two individual tours - a West Coast/East Coast tour or possibly utilizing a drop round for the tour. As soon as this decision has been made, we will make an announcement.

The Pro Watercross World Championships will be held at the end of October, beginning of November with Watercross, HydroFlight, HydroDrags and Wakeboard as confirmed competitions. Details will be announced at the beginning of 2017.

PRO WATERCROSS TENTATIVE NATIONAL DATES
May 6-7 | Pensacola Beach, FL www.VisitPensacolaBeach.com
May 13-14 | Panama City Beach, FL www.VisitPanamaCityBeach.com
June 10-11 | Lewisville, TX www.VisitLewisville.com
June 17-18 | Sparks/Reno, NV www.CityofSparks.us/visiting or www.VisitRenoTahoe.com
July TBA | Atlantic City, NJ www.AtlanticCityNJ.com
August 12-13 | Hartwell, GA www.Hart-Chamber.org
National Championships | CBS Sports coverage
August 19-20 | Charleston, WV www.CharlestonWV.com

World Championships| CBS Sport coverage October 27 - November 5 | Naples, FL www.ParadiseCoast.com


2017 REGIONAL DATE
Daytona Freeride
January 12-15 | Daytona, FL

2017 TENTATIVE REGIONAL DATES
Surf & Turf Promotions
February 4 | Bradenton, FL | Bradenton Riverwalk Regatta
Great Lakes Watercross
June TBA | Minnesota
August 25-27 | Kenosha WI | Surf Ride
September 16-17 | Milton, WI
Typhoon Tommy's
June 23-25 | Detroit, MI | River Days
July 14-16 | Trenton, MI | Roar of River
July 29-30 | Oswego, NY | Harborfest
August 4-6 | Pittsburgh, PA

HYDROFIGHT US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR
June | TBA
July | TBA
August | TBA

BEAUTIFUL BEACHES, BIG SURF, THE BLUE ANGELS

Pensacola Sports Association/Pensacola Beach, Florida has committed to a three-year contract with Pro Watercross, and will host the opening round of the 2017 season. Pensacola has been one of the tour’s favorite stops for athletes, and thousands of fans lined Pensacola’s sugar sand beaches and crowded the pier over the turquoise waters for the Tour’s 2016 Grand Prix of Watercross.

From dozens of the most well-executed hole shots over the past three years, to Daniel Martin’s famous double backflip during the freestyle competition at the 2014 Pensacola stop and the 2015 Pro Runabout Stock battles between powerhouse pros Eric Francis, Abdullah Alfadhel and Brian Baldwin. Pensacola Beach has earned its reputation as home to some of Pro Watercross National Tour’s most thrilling moments, record-setting performances and competitive motos.

“Pensacola is very excited to welcome back the Pro Watercross Tour not only for 2017, but to also have an agreement through 2019 to bring them back to one of the world’s most beautiful beaches,” said Pensacola Sports Association President and CEO, Ray Palmer.

The Pensacola Sports Association, the sponsoring organization behind the multi-year partnership, is Florida’s oldest sports organizing and management group, and has been the guiding force behind not only the Pro Watercross’ presence in Pensacola Beach, but many of the city’s other iconic events such as the Charity Challenge and the Deer Dodge 50K marathon. 

Securing a multi-year contract with Pensacola, adding to the growing stability of the Pro Watercross brand and its events, is just one more step in the ongoing efforts of Pro Watercross to grow the sport and advance the powered personal watercraft sports industry. 

“I am confident in the direction that Pro Watercross is taking, and we are continuing to invest in growing our footprint in North America and around the world while working to discover and groom the next generation of watercross racers,” commented Nick Handler, managing director of Pro Watercross. 

“The tour’s growth is exciting to be a part of for our community,” Palmer added after the signing of the three-year contract between Pensacola and Pro Watercross.

“The 2017 Pro Watercross National Tour and Championships season is already shaping up to be a banner year, with tough competition, new events and features to help grow participation in the sport, and a lot of excitement for both the athletes and the fans,” said Handler. 

Be sure to stay up to date with Pro Watercross as plans fall into place for the 2017 season - May is only 24 weeks away! www.prowatercross.com, www.facebook.com/ProWatercross and twitter.com/prowatercross.

5th Annual Hydro-Turf HydroDrag World Championships FINAL RESULTS...

The 5th Annual Hydro-Turf HydroDrag World Championships was held in “America’s Seaplane City”, Tavares, Florida, located in Lake County. The fastest PWC Racers in the World would assemble at Wooton Park for the 3rd consecutive year, and this year produce the best racer and spectator turnout in the short span of HydroDrag Racing. Approximately 1,500 race fans were in attendance and they would be treated to great weather and even better racing! This event was sanctioned by Pro Watercross and sponsored in part by Dean’s Team, Fizzle Intercoolers, Ben’s Performance, Lacey Powersports, Pro Rider Magazine, Tiki West, Key West Resort, Blowsion, MVP Productions, Eco Reco Scooters, and Jet Ski Daily.

Congrats to the 2016 Class Champions…Unlimited-Chris Caputo, Superstock-Scott Rice, Spec-Scott Rice, Stock-Scott Rice and Speed Alley winners were as follows…Unlimited-Uva Perez(114.6/New Record), Superstock-Isel Pupo(103.8/New Record), Spec-99.5/New Record), Stock-Ron Allison(92.8) For the full story, grab a copy of Pro Rider Magazine!

SPEED ALLEY - FINAL RESULTS

STOCK

1^ST PLACE      RON ALLISON                      92.8

SPEC

1^ST PLACE      ISEL PUPO                            99.5

2^ND PLACE     MANNY SALGADO             94.9

3^RD PLACE     ALDO OLIVA                        93.8

SUPERSTOCK

1^ST PLACE      ISEL PUPO                            103.8

2^ND PLACE     SANDOR BLANCO (195)   102.7

3^RD PLACE     SANDOR BLANCO (59)      102

UNLIMITED

1^ST PLACE      UVA JET                                 114.6

2^ND PLACE     CARLITO DEL VALE             113.7

3^RD PLACE     CHRIS CAPUTO                    109.9

HYDRO-DRAG - FINAL RESULTS

STOCK

1^ST PLACE      SCOTT RICE

2^ND PLACE     TONITO LOPEZ

3^RD PLACE     ALDO OLIVA

SPEC

1^ST PLACE      SCOTT RICE

2^ND PLACE     STAN HIGHTOWER

3^RD PLACE     ISEL PUPO

SUPERSTOCK

1^ST PLACE      SCOTT RICE

2^ND PLACE     MANNY SALGADO

3^RD PLACE     RAYGE SANCHEZ

UNLIMITED

1^ST PLACE      CHRIS CAPUTO

2^ND PLACE     RAYGE SANCHEZ   

3^RD PLACE     STAN HIGHTOWER

ENDURO RACE - FINAL RESULTS

1^ST PLACE      STAN HIGHTOWER            34 LAPS

2^ND PLACE     ERIC DIAZ                             32 LAPS

3^RD PLACE     LUIS ROSA                            32 LAPS

For speed pass times go to www.prowatercross.com/hydrodrags 

Don't Forget! CBS Sports | TONIGHT starting at 7:00 PM

MEET THE INVENTOR OF FLYBOARD... FRANKY ZAPATA

The story of Zapata Racing® begins in 1998, lead masterfully by Franky Zapata, Zapata Racing® was a high performing PWC competition team.

Quickly noticed in 1999 by the biggest PWC brands, Zapata Racing® became the factory Team for BRP, representing the impact of the brand on an international scale.

With 6 European titles and 2 world champion trophies, with a wealth of experience in the VNM world and expertise in hydro-propulsion, the Zapata Racing® team became the official brand of PWC Product in 2008.

From design to development and through to production, Zapata Racing® has become from its launch, a leader of the VNM market “Made In France”. Winning most of the bigger world championship titles, the firm is pursuing its development offering new arm and saddle VNM projects, dedicated to competition as well as leisure use.

Guided by passion and success, Franky Zapata is now leading a new challenge in innovation and uniqueness for the future of the firm. After many hydro-propelled machines tests being held in 2011 and with the massive support of the public, the production and the worldwide marketing of the Flyboard® is only limited by the quantity of units produced.

Since its market launch, more than a hobby, Flyboard® has become an entire sport in its own right, confirmed by of the organization of the first Flyboard® World Cup in Qatar 2012. A competition held every year and was last held in Dubai 2014, rocketing the Flyboard® and the Hoverboard by ZR® to become one of the leaders in the world of hydro-sports.

In 2014, Zapata Racing® entered a new dimension with the release of the Hoverboard by ZR®. Carried by its dynamism, a new fraternity is born of Hoverboard riders and enthusiasts all over the world.

As for the future, Zapata Racing® is dedicated to working on the creation, development and marketing of hydro-propelled machines; such as the Flyboard® and Hoverboard by ZR®, to satisfy athletes coming from all the disciplines looking for new sensations.

With more than 40 million views of Flyboard® and Hoverboard videos on the internet and being seen in the most prestigious commercial ads, such a slot during the United States Super Bowl, the reputation of Zapata Racing® has reached its heights.

Strengthened by a network of distributers and rental points present over the 5 continents, Zapata Racing® has yet to realize its wildest dreams, creating new innovating machines that come straight out of the comic books!

From: http://zapata-racing.com/zapata-racing-en/#history

CBS SPORTS - MONDAY, OCTOBER 31st STARTING AT 7:00 PM

Don't miss the CBS Sports debut for the Flyboard World Cup Championships this Monday... Out with the kids Trick or Treating? Set your DVR, you do not want to miss these tricks, it's a real treat!

Hidden Trails Pro Watercross World Championship presented by Jet Lift CBS Sports show follows immediately after the Flyboard World Cup Championship with one more hour of thrills and chills as the world best men and women compete for the world title in Runabout GP, Ski GP, Sport GP, Runabout Box Stock and Freestyle. 

Additional airing of each show can be seen:

Tuesday, November 8 @ 2:00 pm

       Tuesday, November 8 @ 12:00 am (midnight)

Tuesday, November 8 @ 1:00 am 

Hydro-Turf HydroDrag World Championship NOVEMBER 5-6, 2016

Florida Winter Nationals 

Presented by RIVA Racing, Greenhulk.net, Lake County, City of Tavares

The 4th Annual Hydro-Turf  HydroDrag World Championship will be held in Tavares, Florida, on November 4-6!  “The fastest 4 seconds on water” is coming back to middle Florida for the 3rd year in a row and bringing the SPEED!!!  This is the 4th year that the event will also feature ‘Closed Course/Grand Prix as well as the Hydro-Enduro-X and the Blowsion Freestyle Competition!  Teams from all over the US and beyond will trek to Lake Dora to claim the right of the, “Fastest person on water”, the current World Record is held by Maikel Gonzalez, from CRT Racing, at 112.9mph, however, Lacey Powersports’ Chris Caputo and Game Overs’ Rayge Sanchez are in the mix at and it can change rapidly. 

Surf and Turf Promotions will sponsor the Unlimited HydroDrag Class with a $500 New Record Bounty BONUS!  There is a pool party, racer raffle, vendors, and a whole lot of fun… IT IS ON NOVEMBER 5-6, come out and play with the BIG DOGS!

Parking is free, so bring the whole family, there will be limited seated on the bleachers, so make sure you bring your own chairs…and don’t forget the tanning butter! There will also be Eco Reco Scooter Racing after the HydroDrags on Saturday.  Rick Ignacio, of 24/7Livestream.com will be providing the live stream and Dawn Dawson and Mike Young will be calling the action!   

The event is sponsored by Hydro-Turf, RIVA RACING, Greenhulk.net, Sea Doo, Lake County, Yamaha, Blowsion, FIZZLE Intercoolers, Jet Pilot, City of Tavares, Lake County, Ben’s Performance, Pro Rider Magazine, Team Mean, Action Kawasaki/Yamaha, Tiki West, Key West Resort, Lacey Powersports.   Races are available for all skill and machine levels.  Call all of your friends and bring the family out for this special free event in Lake County, FL!

Tavares, FL – 11/5-6/16

Host Hotel:         Key West Resort Inn

                                199 W Ruby St

                                Tavares, FL  32778

                                (352) 508-5344

                                Racer Rate...$135-$145 / mention HydroDrag World Championships

Race Site              Wooton Park

                               100 E. Ruby Street

                               Tavares, FL 32778.

Contact (352) 742-6267

HYDRODRAG RULEBOOK is located at...surfandturfpromotions.com

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4^TH

3:00 pm-5:00 pm              Practice or Tuning on your own                             Wooton Park

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm          Late Registration and Racer Check-In                     Pool Deck (No Dogs)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5^TH

8:00 am-9:00 am - On Site Registration-Race Site

9:00 am- HydroDrag Racers Meeting (NOBODY ON THE WATER) - Pavilion

10:00 am - Launch Pad Practice (2 on each side per rider) - Course/Launch Pad

10:15am - Closed Course/Grand Prix Riders meeting - Pavilion

11:00 am - Ski Open Grand Prix Moto #1 (BARR Qualifier) Closed Course

11:30 am - Sport Open Grand Prix Moto #1 (BARR Qualifier) Closed Course

12:00 pm- Blowsion Flatwater Freestyle Championship - Course

1:00 pm - HydroDrag Racing to Finals (Stock, Spec, SuperStock) Course/Launch Pad

5:00 pm-7:00 pm - Pool Party (No Glass or Dogs) - Key West Resort

7:00 pm -  Racer Appreciation Party/Tiki West - On-site

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6^TH (No Sunday Registration)

9:00 am - Riders Meeting (NOBODY ON THE WATER UNTIL AFTER RIDERS MEETING!!!) Park Pavilion

9:30am - Speed Alley - Course

10:30am - Ski Open Grand Prix Moto #2 - Course

11:00 am - Sport Open Grand Prix Moto #2 - Course

12:00 pm - HydroDrag Finals (All UNL) - Launch Pad

2:00 pm - Hydro-Endurance Runabout Open race (20 minutes plus 1 lap/Lemans Start) Course 

4:00 pm - Team Mean Awards Ceremony (For pics/Custom Awards/Cash will be mailed) Pavilion

·         NO REFUNDS after the riders meeting on Saturday morning.

·         We will try our best to maintain this schedule, so please be prompt, if you speak broken English, please have an interpreter.

·         Racers please be staged and ready when your event is taking place, there will be no holds

·         Any racer or their teams, sponsors, parents, etc… that curses Officials will be disqualified and asked to leave by Police immediately.

·         There will be a 50% cash payback in the Unlimited Division and 25% in SuperStock HydroDrags and Speed Alley Classes.

             

For registration or more info… www.surfandturfpromotions.com /Mike Young (850) 376-5495, www.prowatercross.com www.RIVARacing.com, www.greenhulk.net, or our HydroDrag FB Page!  Check out the LIVE STREAM on Facebook, YouTube or www.ProWatercross.com if you can’t make it to the event!