Tag Archives: X-Team racing

Off the Race Course: AquaX Champion Eric Lagopoulos

18 Thursday Feb 2016

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When championship Sea-Doo racer Eric Lagopoulos isn’t in hot pursuit of his next win and triumphant appearance on the winner’s podium, you can find him living the Sea-Doo life on the west coast of Florida where he spends his days running his popular waterfront restaurant “The WaterfrontToo” and enjoying his Sea-Doo in a more relaxed and leisurely fashion.

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Eric Lagopoulos aboard the #361 Sea-Doo GTR 215

Onboard: Your fans know you well from your multiple wins and your racing fame including your most recent trip to the winner’s podium at the 2015 AquaX, but what would surprise them to learn about you?

Eric: At a young age I had the opportunity to get involved in the family restaurant business and I jumped on it! Today, I now own “The WaterfrontToo” Grille & Steakhouse, a spin-off of the original “Waterfront” restaurant my family established in Sarasota. It’s a 250-seat seafood and steakhouse in Nokomis. I’m proud of what we have accomplished, especially being recognized for our signature hand-cut steaks and fresh fish as well as for our slow-cooked prime rib which is the best in town! We also cater to water enthusiasts – they can access the restaurant by water and pull up and dock for an evening of dining fun waterside.

eric serving at waterfronttoo

Eric serving up tasty fun at his restaurant The WaterfrontToo. (Photo credit: Eric Lagopoulos Facebook)

Onboard: When not in the heat of racing season, what’s a typical day for you like?

Eric:  My typical day would be to wake-up and either work-out or go riding.  I try to ride three to five days a week to stay in shape for the grueling Aqua Cross season – which is fast approaching!  After prepping for competition on my Sea-Doo – so I can continue to win titles, I then head over to the restaurant. Since it is only open for dinner, it provides me with tremendous schedule flexibility. This allows me to fit my race training schedule around owning and operating my restaurant.

eric lagopoulos excited about sea doos

Eric and Sea-Doo: Inseparable even on days off! (Photo Credit: Eric Lagopoulos Facebook)

Onboard: Your Sea-Doo is a major component of your life on and off the race circuit. How do you like to spend your “off” days?

Eric:  My perfect “non-racing” day on my Sea-Doo would be going to a place I’ve ridden to my entire life, a place called Bayside. It’s on the northern end of Longboat Key, and it is one of my favorite spots because it makes for easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. On a perfect day, there would be three to five-foot surf – which offers me and my buddies awesome launches all day long! And when not on my Sea-Doo, you can find me enjoying other water sports including wake boarding and surfing.

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2015 AquaX Champion, Eric Lagopoulos

Onboard: Thank you for taking us through a day in your Sea-Doo life, now circling back to racing – can you share with us what’s new for the 361 team in 2016?

Eric:  The 361 team will have a cool new title sponsor for 2016, Von Vape! I’m really excited to partner with this company, they are local and have a long history of boat racing in the family! Von Vape will be joined by Sea-Doo, Riva, Hydroturf, Fly, and Jetpilot in keeping me on top of the podium!

BRP thanks Eric Lagopoulos for his time and dedication to the pursuit of PWC racing glory aboard Sea-Doo. You can follow Eric on his Facebook page.

SEA-DOO X-TEAM READY TO DEFEND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SPARK SOME FUN AT 2013 IJSBA WORLD FINALS

01 Tuesday Oct 2013

Posted by in Sea-Doo Lifestyle, X-TEAM Profile

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BRP is looking to Spark some new fun at the world’s largest personal watercraft race, the IJSBA World Finals, and grow it into the world’s largest Sea-Doo enthusiast event. The Sea-Doo events team will be adding some agents of fun to the 2013 IJSBA World Finals, taking place in Lake Havasu City, AZ, from October 9 to 13, by orchestrating numerous Sea-Doo related activities for Sea-Doo X-TEAM racers and enthusiasts alike.  The Sea-Doo X-TEAM returns to Lake Havasu to defend numerous World Championships with a flood of world-class watercraft racers competing on the Sea-Doo RXP-X.

The IJSBA World Finals is the largest watercraft specific event in North America where the best racers from around the globe converge to compete for World Championships. The event takes place at Crazy Horse Campgrounds in Lake Havasu City, AZ and draws 15,000 spectators every year. BRP has been a long-time supporter of watercraft racing and the IJSBA World Finals and leads the watercraft industry in race specific support through the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty racer contingency program and the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Promoter support program.

With the dominating success of the Sea-Doo RXP-X watercraft, BRP comes to this year’s event with a full schedule of activities and racer support initiatives.  Sea-Doo race fans and general enthusiasts alike will be treated to an entertaining experience. Some of the 2013 Sea-Doo World Finals efforts will include:

  • SEA-DOO SPARK SOME FUN ZONE – The Sea-Doo Spark Some Fun Zone will headline the IJSBA World Finals Performance Alley with a full display of the all new 2014 Sea-Doo Spark watercraft and Sea-Doo X-Series models.
  • #FINDYOURSPARK CONTEST – Sea-Doo fans who follow @BRPSeaDoo on Instagram and will be in Lake Havasu City, Arizona during the World Finals will have the opportunity to win a all new Sea-Doo Spark watercraft. North American Fans will be able to take a Instagram “selfie” picture with a Sea-Doo Spark at secret locations around Lake Havasu City from Wednesday, October 9 through Saturday, October 12. For full contest details visit www.sea-doo.com/onboard.
  • ULTIMATE SEA-DOO OWNERS RIDE III – The world’s premier personal watercraft event will be joined by the premier Ultimate Sea-Doo Owners Ride III on Saturday, October 12. Sea-Doo enthusiasts can experience an action filled Sea-Doo weekend by experiencing one of the most beautiful, one-day leisure boating rides in North America, and watching the best PWC racers in the world compete for Pro championships on Sunday. The ride will depart from Site Six Launch ramp at 8:30 AM and travel up the Colorado River to Pirates Cove Resort for a sponsored lunch stop and exclusive VIP Sea-Doo Spark Demo Rides. Open to Sea-Doo owners, participants will get a special owners ride event t-shirt, food, and be eligible for Sea-Doo giveaways. On top of all this, they’ll be the first to experience the incredibly accessible and fun Sea-Doo Spark. To register, visit seadoodemo.com.
  • SEA-DOO X-TEAM BOUNTY NIGHT AND DAY CHALLENGE INVITATIONAL –                Select Sea-Doo racers (noted below) who have faired well during the 2013 season are being invited to compete in a special high-stakes competition aboard the benchmark of watercraft racing, the 2014 Sea-Doo RXP-X. This year the top invitees will compete on the World Finals course to post their single lap time during Friday afternoon’s qualifying event. The top five qualifiers from Friday will be invited to compete Saturday night in the “Bounty under the Bridge” X-TEAM Slalom Challenge with the fastest time collecting $500 and the fastest three continuing on to the Sunday bounty final. The Sunday bounty final will see the fastest three Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty racers post their fastest single lap time on the new 2014 Sea-Doo RXP-X with the winner collecting another $500. If the same rider wins all three events (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) that rider will receive a $500 bonus and be featured as talent in 2015 Sea-Doo photo/video shoot.

2013 Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty Night and Day Invitees include:

Qualifying will take place on Friday afternoon following races at World finals track.

  • Sea-Doo Racer X-TEAM Appreciation Feast – BRP extends their hospitality by hosting Sea-Doo race teams on Wednesday night, October 9, at Mudsharks Grill in Lake Havasu City, with an appreciation dinner for racers, friends and family. All Sea-Doo racers are invited and can bring up to three guests to offset some of the costs of their efforts. The X-TEAM Feast will take place from 7 to 10pm and the new Sea-Doo Spark and RXP-X will make their Havasu debut at the event. Proof of Sea-Doo ownership (registration or title) AND official IJSBA event wristband is required for entry. For more information, e-mail brpseadoo1@gmail.com

Visit www.facebook.com/seadoo for the most up-to-date information regarding BRP’s 2013 IJSBA World Finals activities.

For a look at the new 2014 Sea-Doo watercraft and riding gear, visit  www.sea-doo.com

X-TEAM TUESDAY – P1 AQUA X BRINGS NEW FACES TO SEA-DOO RACING

18 Tuesday Jun 2013

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Sea-Doo X-TEAM AquaX DaytonaAshley Sponaugle is a Sea-Doo watercraft enthusiast. Ashely is the proud owner of a Sea-Doo RXP-X. She owns a RXP-X because she is a go fast type of girl. When the opportunity to compete in an actual watercraft race against other first timers, her competitive juices rose to the top. The other element that attracted her to the P1 AquaX series in Florida was that all competitors must ride stock model PWC in three different classes, determined by stock horsepower ratings. No modifications were allowed, meaning no money spent on modifying the units putting everyone on equal footing.

Former Pro watercraft racer Lisa Barsby began the P1 AquaX racers in her home land, the United Kingdom to bring in a new group of people into the PWC racing family. Racing stock units opens the door to many riders who simply aren’t interested in spending money to modify their watercraft that they enjoy riding casually every weekend. The format mixes closed course racing with endurance in a simplistic track layout that is easy to follow and provides wide open areas to navigate while minimizing tight cornering sections. This format is what drew Sponaugle, Ultimate Sea-Doo Fan contest winner Kevin Wassum and many other first timers to compete in the first of what BRP hopes is many P1 Aqua X events in the United States.

ERic Lagopoulos Wins Daytona AquaX

Overall winner Eric Lagopoulos

The first P1 Aqua X event was conducted in Daytona Beach, Florida in challenging surf and saw the majority of the participants competing for the first time…ever. It was a veteran racer, Eric Lagopoulos who took the overall win on a Sea-Doo RXP-X but for the dozen first timers it was a victory in simply being a part of it. Most noted that the racing bug has now bit them and they look forward to riding their Sea-Doo in future competitions. Watercraft racing has existed since the early 1980s but it hasn’t been since the recent growth of the HydroDrag drag racing series and now the P1 AquaX series that new faces have experienced what Sea-Doo watercraft can provide those with the competitive spirit.

Ashley Sponaugle at Daytona AquaX photo:Corrie Wassum

Ashley Sponaugle at Daytona AquaX
photo:Corrie Wassum

Ashley Sponaugle, welcome to the Sea-Doo X-TEAM! See you a top the podium in the near future!

X-TEAM TUESDAY – LET THE RACING BEGIN

02 Tuesday Apr 2013

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GPcourseThis week officially marks the start of the 2013 Closed course racing season for North America with the first round of the Pro Hydro-X Tour, Presented by Sea-Doo begins this weekend in Gulfport, Florida.

The Sea-Doo X-TEAM is back in action after a dominating end of the 2012 season at the IJSBA World Finals and 2013 looks to pick up in the same fashion with the high-performance Sea-Doo RXP-X with T3 hull and ErgoLock system coming into its sophomore year.

It has been a long winter and racers are eager to get the season started this weekend . This weekend the Pro Hydro-X Tour kicks off 2013 racing in Gulfport, Florida. April 6-7 the City of Gulfport and the Gulfport area Chamber of Commerce will open their city up for the first time to personal watercraft racing, welcoming racers from all over the US. Sea-Doo mounted racers will be able to compete for additional funds through the Sea-Doo Big Bucks Bounty racer contingency program where top finishing racers can gain up to $800 per class in additional prize money. The Sea-Doo Bounty is the only program of its kind in the watercraft industry as BRP is the leading supporter of PWC racing.

Gulfport Aquamania is the first race of a the five round Region 7 (South Eastern US) Series ending in beautiful Islamorada, Florida in September. The courses will emulate National Tour and World finals courses providing world class action on the water. Racers and spectators will be able to buy sponsors’ gear and apparel on site and get a look at some of RIVA Racings newest “go fast” parts for sea-doo watercraft at the Kaotik Products registration area. So come on out this weekend, April 6-7 and enjoy a great Florida beach and some of the best and most competitive racing in the country. See you in Gulfport!

For more information on personal watercraft racing visit the IJSBA (International Jet Sport Boating Association) website.

www.prohydrox.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jettribe-Pro-Hydro-X-Tour-PWC-Racing/205669382794778

prohydrox@gmail.com

 

 

BRP RAISES WATERCRAFT RACING SUPPORT WITH 2013 SEA-DOO X-TEAM ‘BIG BUCKS’ BOUNTY PROGRAM

19 Tuesday Feb 2013

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BRP continues to lead the watercraft industry in racing success and support with the 2013 Sea-Doo RXP-X and RXT-X models, Sea-Doo X-TEAM ‘BIG BUCKS’ Bounty racer contingency program, and Sea-Doo Promoter support program.

BRP enters the 2013 watercraft racing season with immense momentum following one of the most dominant IJSBA World Finals performances in history. Sea-Doo watercraft racers claimed 16 of the available 21 titles and filled 47 of the 63 available podium positions led by X-TEAM rider James Bushell. Bushell has claimed four PRO Runabout titles in two years aboard his 158 Performance Sea-Doo RXP-X.

Bushell and other RXP-X riders will have the opportunity to claim more money for top finishers in 2013 with an inflated Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty racer contingency program, the only program of its kind.

The 2013 Sea-Doo X-TEAM ‘BIG BUCKS’ Bounty program will offer larger payouts for wins and championships, raising the incentive to finish on the podium at IJSBA sanctioned events in the United States and Canada. BRP’s Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty is open to all racers competing on modern Sea-Doo models in designated Novice, Expert, and Pro classes. The Sea-Doo contingency is essentially an, “open-sponsorship” that excludes no one, except those competing on watercraft other than Sea-Doo.

The Sea-Doo Promoter Support program provides event promoters sponsorship to help them produce more, high-quality, fun events. BRP works with the promoters to ensure Sea-Doo owners have a place to ride and compete in an organized manner, providing another fun aspect of owning a Sea-Doo watercraft.

“BRP is dedicated to supporting the sport of watercraft racing and giving the high-performance Sea-Doo watercraft owner a place, with incentives, to enjoy their Sea-Doo in a competitive atmosphere,” says Adrien De Alexandris, Brand Manager of Sea-Doo watercraft. “Watercraft racing is a great family sport and supporting this community compliments our efforts in producing the industry’s best high-performance watercraft in the Sea-Doo RXP-X, RXT-X, and GTR 215 models.”

BRP does more for the sport of watercraft racing than any other company. For 2013 it begins this weekend with the Sea-Doo X-TEAM ‘BIG BUCKS’ Bounty program available to Sea-Doo racers competing at the Mark Hahn 300 endurance race and continues through the entire 2013 season culminating at October’s IJSBA World Finals. The 2013 Sea-Doo X-TEAM ‘BIG BUCKS’ Bounty program boasts US National Tour and World Finals championship prizes of up $4000.

The Sea-Doo Promoter Support program will include sponsorship of the following North American watercraft racing series:

Visit this Sea-Doo Blog, OnBoard for complete program details and redemption form information on the 2013 Sea-Doo X-TEAM ‘BIG BUCKS’ Bounty racer contingency program.

For a look at the new Sea-Doo watercraft and iControl technology, visit www.sea-doo.com

X-TEAM TUESDAY: Sea-Doo X-Team Racers to Compete in The King’s Cup World Cup Grand Prix in Thailand

04 Tuesday Dec 2012

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Competitors around the world will be vying for The King’s Cup title at the Jet Ski King’s Cup 2012 World Cup Grand Prix, Dec. 5-9 in Pattaya City, Thailand.  This high intensity race event will pit riders from all over including our own Sea-Doo X-Team riders.

This is the 15th year of the competition that originally attracted riders from the Asia Pacific region and has now grown to include racers from all over the world. In 2008, the World Cup Grand Prix system was introduced and sanctioned by the International Jet Sport Boating Association (IJSBA) to allow equal opportunities to racers worldwide.  In each of the Pro categories, each nation is allowed to only send 4 riders to compete in this fast paced, complex race.

Representing Sea-Doo in the King’s Cup World Cup Grand Prix will be:

James Bushell, King’s Cup 2011

  • James Bushell – United Kingdom
  • Jared Moore – South Africa
  • Eric Lagopulos – USA
  • Jean Botti – France
  • Chokuthit Molee – Thailand

Good luck to all the Sea-Doo X-Team riders!

Here are some useful links for additional information on the King’s Cup:

Link to event schedule: http://www.jetski-worldcup.com/2012event-schedule.html

King’s Cup Competitors List: http://www.jetski-worldcup.com/racer&library.html

If you are lucky enough to live in the Asia zone, ESPN Starport will be airing the races.  Follow this link to airtimes and channels:  http://www.jetski-worldcup.com/news/news12_06.html

X TEAM TUESDAY: IT’S RACE TIME! SEA-DOO PRO HYDRO-X TOUR KICKS OFF IN MAY

03 Tuesday Apr 2012

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BRP is proud to support the 2012 Pro Hydro-X tour. Come out and see where champions are made at the 2012 Sea-Doo Pro Hydro-X Tour.  The tour kicks off May 5-6 in Tavares, Fla., and features multiple race sites across the southeastern U.S.  Along with the exciting races, classes will be available for racers from beginners to Pro and includes free admission for spectators to most of the events.

  • Closed Course Racing will be in the following cities: Tavares, Fla., Macon, Ga., Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Atlanta, Ga.
  • The HydroDrag circuit and RIVA Racing HydroDrag Finals will be in Polk City, Fla, Atlanta, GA., and Sarasota or Naples, Fla.

Sea-Doo is the title sponsor for the 16th consecutive year for the tour and HydroTurf, Blowsion, Jettribe. RIVA Racing is the presenting sponsor this season.

All competitions will be sanctioned by the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) from Halfmoon Bay, Calif. and qualify for the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty Program. BRP continues to lead the industry by supporting PWC racers with the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty, the only racer contingency program in the sport, offering additional funds to racers finishing on the podium* aboard Sea-Doo watercraft. This “open sponsorship” is available to all modern* Sea-Doo watercraft racers rewarding them for top finishes and to help fund their racing efforts. The Racing season begins with a strong buzz about the new Sea-Doo RXP-X that turns tighter and connects the rider to the machine like no other model before it. On the heels of James Bushell winning both the PRO Open and PRO GP World Championships on the new T3 hull, expectations are high for X-TEAM riders.  For 2012 many of the Sea-Doo X-TEAM Bounty payouts have been raised. For more information on the go to http://bit.ly/2012XteamBounty.

For more information on the 2012 PRO HydroX Tour Events, visit www.prohydroxtour.com.