Tag Archives: champion

James Bushell Caps Off 2015 Racing Season with King’s Cup Victory

16 Wednesday Dec 2015

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Screen Shot 2015-12-16 at 4.25.19 PMJames Bushell is special. A talent like this doesn’t come around often. Bushell has been the most dominant professional runabout watercraft racer in the world over the past five years and there are no signs of him slowing down. Bushell recently won his second consecutive King’s Cup Pro GP crown on his 158Performance RXP-X at the annual race held in Thailand.

James is from the UK, not necessarily known as a PWC hotbed, yet the riders from the region are passionate about the sport and have produced some of the world’s best talent including racers Lisa Barsby and Anya Colley as well as freestyle champion Lee Stone. Bushell began his run in this millenniums first decade winning a handful of World Championships but it was in 2011 when he took his riding to another level.

Bushell was targeted by Sea-Doo Competition management, with super tuner Les Cooke of the legendary Sea-Doo Centre, as the right fit to launch the new Sea-Doo RXT-X with T3 hull on to the race scene at the 2011 World Finals. It was an, “all-in” approach with Bushell as the focus rider on the new platform and he didn’t disappoint winning both the Pro Open and Pro GP class the first race out of the gate and has added nearly a dozen more major championships to his resume since.

Screen Shot 2015-12-16 at 4.24.30 PM The Thailand King’s Cup is the last major race of the year and Bushell was excited to repeat as champion. “My experience in Thailand was awesome this year couldn’t asked for better result,” said Bushell. “This year was a bit stressful as the container with my Sea-Doo units arrive the night before the race. My modified SPARK with turbo was awesome and a really fun machine to ride and my 2016 rxpx worked perfect and it a pleasure to ride.”

Look for Bushell to race the SPARK classes more in 2016 and to continue his winning streak on the RXP-X 300.

 

 

 

X-TEAM TUESDAY – SEA-DOO RIDERS DOMINATE THE KING’S CUP LED BY JAMES BUSHELL

09 Tuesday Dec 2014

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James Bushell

James Bushell

Valcourt, QC, CANADA– December 9, 2014 – BRP closes the 2014 watercraft racing season with a dominating performance at the recent King’s Cup with Sea-Doo watercraft riders winning six of the seven runabout championships featuring modern four-stroke models. Sea-Doo racers from around the world congregated in Thailand to compete in the last high-profile race of the year and did so in true X-TEAM manner. Of the 21 available podium positions in the modern watercraft classes, Sea-Doo riders filled 16 of them.

Pro Open Champion - James Bushell

Pro Open Champion – James Bushell

Current world champion James Bushell added the King’s Cup Pro Open championship to his already stellar list of accolades aboard the Sea-Doo RXP-X. Bushell lead the charge with a dominating performance on his 158-Performance backed Sea-Doo RXP-X in the Pro Open class. Bushell has claimed seven World Championships in the past four years aboard an RXP-X T3 hull equipped watercraft and continued that momentum at this year’s King’s Cup. Bushell has relied on the tight turning and true tracking of the T3 hull and staying connected to the 400+ horsepower produced by his modified, turbo powered Rotax 4-TEC engine tuned by the Sea-Doo Centre.

The Sea-Doo X-TEAM King’s Cup podium finishers include.

PRO OPEN

  1. James Bushell                             UK                   SEA-DOO
  2. Hajime Isahai                              Japan
  3. Yousef Al Abdulrazzaq                  Kuwait           SEA-DOO

PRO-AM OPEN

  1. Boonayod Issarakankul                 Thailand       SEA-DOO
  2. Arttapol Khunsa                            Thailand
  3. Jun Ikoma                                    Japan             SEA-DOO

PRO-AM SPARK STOCK

  1. Katunyou Chomim                        Thailand        SEA-DOO
  2. Arttapol Khunsa                            Thailand        SEA-DOO
  3. Abdullahal Fadhel                          Kuwait           SEA-DOO

EXPERT VETS LIMITED

  1. Rainer Eidner                                Germany         SEA-DOO
  2. Jun Ikoma                                     Japan             SEA-DOO
  3. Pichet Settura                                Thailand         SEA-DOO

EXPERT LIMITED

  1. Tipmonghon Khensri                      Thailand        SEA-DOO
  2. Anton Pankratov                            Estonia          SEA-DOO
  3. Muhammad Skukri Bin Hashim        Malasia         SEA-DOO

NOVICE STOCK

  1. Nattawut Phisonpool       Thailand        SEA-DOO
  2. Nontawat Phimcharoen   Thailand        SEA-DOO
  3. Aphisit Rattanayon         Thailand        SEA-DOO

Visit www.facebook.com/seadoo for the most up-to-date information regarding BRP’s X-TEAM activities.

X-TEAM TUESDAY – SEA-DOO RIDERS DOMINATE JULY RACING

22 Monday Jul 2013

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Sea-Doo James Bushell Virginia

Pro Open Winner – James Bushell

The Sea-Doo X-TEAM has hit a hot streak on racing circuits around North America over the middle weekends of July with James Bushell and Troy Snyder leading the way on the IJSBA US National Racing Tour in the Pro Open class and Pro Stock class respectively.

Both racers won their respective Pro classes at both the Reno, Nevada and Colonial Beach, Virginia rounds of the Hydroturf National Tour aboard their Sea-Doo RXP-X models and both sit in solid positions to claim National Championships with two rounds to go.

Bushell is the defending 2X Pro Open and Pro GP World Champion and is making his first attempt at winning the US National Tour after claiming multiple European and Dubai titles. He is from the UK where his BRP dealership 158Performance supports his efforts with tuning of Les Cooke of the Sea-Doo Centre. Bushell has found his rhythm in the states and nearly lapped the field in his final moto in Virginia with fellow RXP-X mounted Erminio Iantosca joining him on the podium.

Pro Stock Winner - Troy Snyder

Pro Stock Winner – Troy Snyder

Snyder is the wily veteran of the tour at the age of 41 with his RIVA Racing backed Sea-Doo RXP-X has carrying him to solid wins over defending National and World Champion Eric Francis. Snyder rides the same watercraft performance enthusiasts can buy off the showroom floor with the midas touch of well-known tuner Bo Dupriest of Neptune Racing giving his RXP-X the edge.

 

The next two rounds will be extremely competitive as tour visits Georgia before culminating in West Virginia. More top level Sea-Doo X-TEAM competitors are expected to participate int he final two rounds where the racing will be intense.

 

 

AquaX Overall Winner Jeremy Schandelmayer

AquaX Overall Winner Jeremy Schandelmayer

In the second round of the new P1 AquaX series taking place on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, Sea-Doo X-TEAM riders claimed the top podium positions in both the 300 and 250 classes. Sea-Doo X-TEAM rider Jeremy Schandelmayer rode his Sea-Doo RXP-X to a clean sweep over the weekend claiming the overall win and the 300 class (251-300 horsepower) win on the wide open course in calm conditions. This was Schandelmayer’s first AquaX race but will not be his last as he walked away with over $$1200 in prize money and Sea-Doo Bounty contingency funds. Taking the second spot in the 300 class was Kevin Wassum who just recently starting competing on his Sea-Doo RXP-X, the same watercraft he won by being named the Sea-Doo Ultimate Fan in 2011.

The P1 AquaX series is built for new racers and old in a format that focusses on safety with wide open, endurance courses piggy backing the Evinrude powered P1 Superstock boat races in arguably the most professionally produced races in the UK and US. All watercraft must remain completely stock with only cosmetic changes allowed. The 250 class (200-250 horsepower) win was claimed by industry veteran Tim McKercher on a Sea-Doo GTR 215. This was McKercher’s first organized race in over 17 years as the AquaX format makes competing safe and affordable for the everyday performance enthusiast.

 

For more information on how you can become involved with organized personal watercraft racing visit, International Jet Sport Boating Association. For a look at these winning high-performance watercraft visit the musclecraft section at sea-doo.com. 

Photos by Pro Rider Magazine.

 

Kevin Wassum on RXP-X battles Tim McKercher on GTR 215 at AquaX

Kevin Wassum on RXP-X battles Tim McKercher on GTR 215 at AquaX on Florida’s Lake Okeechobee.

 

Jeremy Schandelmayer on his winning RXP-X

Jeremy Schandelmayer on his winning RXP-X

 

AquaX 300 class runner up - Kevin Wassum

AquaX 300 class runner up – Kevin Wassum

 

 

 

X-TEAM TUESDAY – HAVE YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW WHAT RACING A SEA-DOO IS LIKE

14 Tuesday May 2013

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Screen Shot 2013-05-14 at 2.28.28 PMThere is a moment for every person who sits at the controls of a engine powered vehicle where they want to race. Maybe this urge isn’t everyday but it happens. Waiting for the light to turn green and get the jump on the car beside you, riding next to your brother or sister or good friend and you nudge the throttle just ever so slightly to gain the leading position.  Or maybe you are a full fledged racer at heart and take every opportunity to get from point A to point B faster than everybody else.

Riding a Sea-Doo may spur this urge a bit more than the average vehicle. After all, Sea-Doo watercraft are breed to be performers and in the arena of professional watercraft racing has dominated closed course races around the world. You may have thought about racing but don’t know where to go and aren’t interested in buying a lot of race specific parts or modifying your very reliable, stock Sea-Doo watercraft. And maybe lining up to a veteran racer may seem intimidating. But that burning desire to feed your competitive side hungers every time you squeeze the throttle lever of your Sea-Doo watercraft.

For PWC owners in the United Kingdom and the southeastern United States, specifically Florida, comes a new PWC event the P1 Aqua Cross series. This is a new form of PWC racing that is open to only riders with completely stock watercraft. Its the ultimate, “run what you brung” racing. The courses are also much less complex and open than traditional closed course races that one may see at the IJSBA World Finals.  Multi-time world champion watercraft racer Lisa Barsby of the UK developed this series in the UK to bring a new crowd to the family sport she loves. Barsby address the barriers keeping current owners from racing. The goal of Aqua Cross racing is to make it easy, safer, affordable, and fun for anyone and everyone with a PWC.

The classes are broken down by stock horsepower ratings to allow every category of PWC to compete head-to-head on equal equipment. There are three main categories offered, 300 hp, 250+hp, and 200+hp.  other than a PWC all anybody needs is protective riding gear, and a set of racing numbers.

The US events include:

June 15 & 16 – Daytona, Florida

July 20 & 21 – Pahookee, Florida

August 17 & 18 – Cocoa Beach, Florida

September 14 & 15 – Marathon, Florida

The UK events include:

June 1-2 – Hull

June 29-30 – Plymouth

July 13 & 14 – Eastborn Extreme

August 10 & 11 – Torquay

 

For more information on racing your Sea-Doo in a new, no pressure racing series, visit P1 Aqua Cross

SEA-DOO X-TEAM HOUR – LIQUID SPEED RADIO – 2013 IJSBA NATIONAL TOUR KICKOFF

30 Tuesday Apr 2013

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BRP is proud to support the only on-line radio show dedicated to the sport and activities of personal watercraft, Liquid Speed Radio. Tuesday, May 30th features Sea-Doo X-TEAM rider and Test Ride Tour manager Cody Hawkins who will offer insight to this year’s Sea-Doo effort on the track and at neighborhood lakes and waterways.  The Liquid Speed radio show will begin airing LIVE at  7:30 p.m. CST on www.liquidspeedradio.com.

The first hour is the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Hour dedicated to Sea-Doo competition, racing, and recreational events. Host Brian Smith leads the topics and interviews the biggest names in personal watercraft racing and free riding. May 30th’s show will include Hawkins and multi National Champion, and Mountain Motorsports of Atlanta, Georgia General Manager,  Dustin Farthing.

At 8:10pm CST Dave Knisley joins join the show to talk about this weekends upcoming UWP/IJSBA National Tour kickoff race in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Smith and Knisley will talk about what’s new with the tour in 2013 and who to watch, including Pro Stock contender, Troy Snyder on his RIVA Sea-Doo RXP-X and Pro Open World Champion James Bushell on his 158 Performance RXP-X.

At 9:10pm CST Liquid Speed will welcome Farthing to Liquid Speed Show and will discuss if he will race the tour full time this season, Or will he race overseas? What’s the next at his Mountain Motorsports dealership? Listen in to find out!!

Join Liquid Speed Co-Host The Funky W and Smith when the show goes LIVE at 7pm CST until 10pm CST onwww.liquidspeedradio.com

X-TEAM PROFILE : Catching up with Sea-Doo X-TEAM Racer Troy Snyder

05 Tuesday Feb 2013

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On Board recently crossed paths with Sea-Doo X-TEAM Pro watercraft racer Troy Snyder at a winter practice session at Markham Park in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and talked to him about the upcoming season.

The new promoters of the Pro Hydro-X Tour based in the south east region of the US is hosting several pre-season practice sessions to strengthen the racing community and create more opportunities for performance watercraft owners to put in some quality laps to hone their skills. Snyder travelled from his home in Bradenton, Florida with his Sea-Doo RXP-X to and we spoke to him about switching to the RXP-X during the season, his near championship run, what he is doing in the off season, and what he is looking to do in 2013.

BRP DOMINATES THE IJSBA WORLD FINALS WITH DELUGE OF SEA-DOO RXP-X WATERCRAFT

16 Tuesday Oct 2012

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BRP Sea-Doo X-TEAM racer, James Bushell of the UK continued to build upon his legacy and that of the Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft by repeating as Pro GP and Pro Open World Champion at the recent 2012 IJSBA World Finals.

 

Bushell’s Championship success on the T3 hull design at the 2011 event was magnified at the 2012 event as starting lines were filled with black and yellow Sea-Doo RXP-X models. Sea-Doo PWC riders won 16 of the available 21 titles and filled 47 of the 63 available podium positions at the 2012 World Finals.  Bushell’s performance in both the Pro GP and Pro Open class were easily the most dominating performances in recent history, further building the new racing legacy of BRP’s Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft.

“The popularity of our Sea-Doo RXP-X on the starting lines and accompanying victories proves to the world this watercraft has reset the high-performance benchmark,” said Yves Leduc, vice president – general manager, North America division. “BRP strives to be the best in every category we compete in and James Bushell and the Sea-Doo RXP-X once again proved to be the best on the most prestigious stage in the world of personal watercraft racing.”

World Champion, James Bushell

Bushell’s precision on the race track was astounding but equally as impressive was the two additional podium finishers riding Sea-Doo RXP-X models in Pro Open; Jared Moore of South Africa finishing second and third place finisher Chokuthit Molee of Thailand. Sea-Doo Centre backed RXP-X rider Kylie Elmers of Australia also added to her collection of World titles by nearly lapping the field on the way to the 2012 Pro Women Championship. All of these champions were assisted by the tuning skills of Les Cooke of the Sea-Doo Centre in Australia who has mastered the ability to expand on BRP’s Sea-Doo RXP-X out of the box racing capabilities to put these riders ahead of all other challengers.

The Sea-Doo RXP-X is equipped with designs and technologies that make every rider a better rider. The exclusive Sea-Doo T3 hull design tracks straighter through choppy conditions and combined with the Ergolock system, allows the rider to turn tighter with less effort. These exclusive BRP designs and the power of the Rotax 4-TEC Supercharged HO marine engine give the rider a clear performance advantage.  Riders can utilize the power more efficiently in all areas of high performance riding minimizing fatigue, cornering faster and seemingly shortening the racetrack compared to the competition.

“BRP remains a trendsetter and continues to maintain its status as the industry leader in performance”, added Chris Dawson, vice-president and general manager, International division. “This result shows that Sea-Doo personal watercraft popularity is truly global”.

The 2013 Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft will start being available in BRP dealerships October 2013. For a more detailed look at the new T3 hull, Ergolock system and stunning flowing facet design, visit www.sea-doo.com.

 

X-TEAM TUESDAY – MORE MEANING THAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

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The headline of this X-TEAM TUESDAY could be expected to be of Sea-Doo X-TEAM rider James Bushell defending BOTH his Pro GP and Pro Open World Championships, a feat never before accomplished, or the fact the Sea-Doo RXP-X has officially planted itself as the best racing hull in history, but one story that many may not hear is of five year old local Lake Havasu City, Arizona resident Zack Lugo and the love he received from some elite racers.

The IJSBA World Finals is the epicenter of the personal watercraft world for one week in October every year.  The best personal watercraft riders from around the world train and prepare all year for their one shot at competition immortality. One of these racers is Chris MacClugage who has already proven his racing immortality over the past 20+ years and 15+ championships.

MacClugage is a new father and has certainly realized the true meaning of what unconditional love really means, as only a parent could understand.  This is where Zack comes in. MacClugage with his wife Rachel were introduced to the fragility of mortality when they learned of a local child in the race of his life against a rare form of cancer. On a day that began with hundreds of Lake Havasu residents participating in a “pink” march to the London Bridge in recognition of Breast Cancer, the MacClugages treated Zack and his family to a VIP race experience.

BRP has made it a tradition at the World Finals to do something special for the year’s best Sea-Doo watercraft racers through the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty Invitational challenge.  A select number of riders compete to post there best, single lap time on a stock Sea-Doo X-model with the winner taking home $1000 from BRP. The event has become known as the richest lap in PWC racing.

L>R James Bushell, Lugos, Zack Lugo, Tim McKercher, Mike Young, Steve Bushell, Troy Snyder, Chris MacClugage, Scott Frazier

During Saturday’s X-TEAM Bounty qualifying, the MacClugages arranged for Zack and his family to have a front row seat of the Bounty event and Chris took it a step further and gave Zack a ride around the World Finals track on the RXP-X watercraft. After qualifying in the top spot, Chris MacClugage let the officials know that if he won he would donate the winning’s to help with Zack’s medical expenses. Fellow qualifiers, Troy Snyder and James Bushell followed and vowed to the same pledge.

It didn’t end there, unpromoted, Dave Bamdas (president of RIVA), Scott Frazier (Director of the IJSBA), and Steve Bushell (James’ father and owner of 158 Performance) had a side wager with each donating $500 in support of their selected rider. The Sea-Doo racing management also doubled the Sea-Doo Bounty prize to $2000.

Between the first and second motos the X-TEAM riders put in their respective fast laps with Bushell posting the fastest time but the three riders and the racing community came together to tell the Lugo family they were receiving $3500. All three riders, with tears in their eyes and egos aside, let Zack know their efforts were to help him win his race.

OnBoard will be giving the epic World Finals coverage in an upcoming article and videos but today…Long live the Sea-Doo LIFE Zack.

X-TEAM TUESDAY – The IJSBA NATIONAL TOUR RESUMES WITH FINAL TWO STOPS

07 Tuesday Aug 2012

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The 2012 Hydro-Turf National Watercross tour resumes action after a three week break and visits the Southeast with the fifth stop taking place in Lake Hartwell, Georgia this weekend August 11-12 before culminating in Charleston, West Virginia for the National Championship final event August 17-18.

The Triple Crown of Watercross is this coming weekend to beautiful Lake Hartwell at Tugaloo State Park in Lavonia, GA and the local community is laying out the red carpet for the Sea-Doo X-TEAM racers. The weekend will start with an invitation from the people of Lavonia to enjoy live music on Friday Night at Lavonia’s town square gazebo from 7pm-9pm. All the downtown restaurants will be open for fans to enjoy the local cuisine.

The Sea-Doo X-TEAM comes to Lake Hartwell with an overwhelming amount of momentum as RIVA/Neptune Racing rider Troy Snyder looks to extend his overall PRO Stock points lead on his Snyder Built backed Sea-Doo RXP-X.

“I have been training hard to be able to squeeze all of the speed out of my (Sea-Doo) RXP-X that it has, and it has a lot,” said Snyder. “The RXP-X is the best production watercraft for racing ever built and am ready to ride it for all it’s worth to win this championship.”

Snyder carries momentum from the previous stop in Reno with a overall win as does Champion Powersports of Lake Norman’s Brian Baldwin after taking his first PRO Open win aboard his privateer RXP-X effort.

Brian Baldwin Pro Open Winner carries Momentum.

OnBoard stopped by Baldwin’s shop in North Carolina on Monday and he said he was ready to go. “I am in great shape and can’t wait to get on the track,” said Baldwin. “After that first win, i didn’t want to have that big of a break, i just want to keep (the winning) going. The RXP-X is the best watercraft I have ever ridden and I am ready to keep it going!”

On Saturday evening, Watercraft riders of Hartwell, GA will be hosting the Athlete’s Party with some southern BBQ; this is free to all competitors and just $8 for friends, families and pit crews!

Event online registration is open until Thursday 9PM, event check in/registration will be on Friday onsite from 1-5 PM and check in and late registration is onsite on Saturday 6:45 – 8:00 AM. Make sure you bring you IJSBA membership card and if you recently signed up online, make sure you bring proof of registration.

SEA-DOO X-TEAM CLAIMS PRESTIGIOUS PRO STOCK WIN WITH CHRIS MacCLUGAGE DOMINATING ON SEA-DOO RXP-X AT IJSBA OPENER

22 Tuesday May 2012

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Panama City, Florida USA – The Sea-Doo X-TEAM racing season started off with a historical win as Chris MacClugage showed his move to the new Sea-Doo RXP-X was the right one as he dominated the highly competitive PRO Stock Class, winning all three motos.

The first round of the 2012 IJSBA National Racing Tour opened the national championship chase on Florida’s Emerald Coast in Panama City playing host to the best watercraft racers in North America. This was MacClugage’s homecoming as the native Floridian, now residing in Lake Havasu, Arizona, made his legend riding in the Florida surf and did so brilliantly aboard his MACC Racing/Monster Energy Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft.

“My Sea-Doo RXP-X is really fun to ride in the surf,” said an elated MacClugage after his moto hat trick. “It is so much easier to go fast on the RXP-X compared to what I used to ride; the hull is so good and the power is perfectly matched with the handling. I had a really good time racing out there today.”

Although only available for a few months, the runabout class starting lines gave a glimpse that the new Sea-Doo RXP-X with T3 hull and ErgoLock system will be the new standard in watercraft racing for all levels. This RXP-X watercraft raced by MacClugage is the same watercraft any musclecraft enthusiast can purchase today from any of the 1500 BRP/Sea-Doo dealers across North America.

The next round of the BRP/Sea-Doo supported HydroTurf IJSBA National Tour will be this weekend, May 26-27 in Montgomery, Alabama.