New USAWS Senior Driver Testing Requirements

[Bruce_Butterfield]

I have heard from a very reliable source that USAWS will be requiring all current and aspring Senior drivers to pass a more rigorous practical driving test effective immediately after the 2012 Nationals. The effect of this test is expected to weed out the less qualified drivers, result in a significant reduction in insurance costs (once the driver passes the test), and most importantly improve each driver's ability to safely handle the boat in the course and in tight quarters typical in tournament ski lakes.

 

The first driver demonstrating the practical test can be seen in the video below. Ya'll better start practicing!

 

[Wish]

Is that the new bare bones MC. Wake looked good. Wakeboard tower is a bit short.

[Nick Sullivan]

Ha, that is something I could get into.

[eleeski]

Overdone on the turn islands at that lake!

Eric

[disland]

that funny

[6balls]

I've seen those before, pretty amazing. I want a ride!

[Horton]

Bruce

I knew you were smart but did not know you were funny

[Razorskier1]

I like this driver -- I could just follow him around the buoys!

 

Jim Ross -- they guy with the zipper neck

[block]

EeHa! I'm ready to take my test. I don't think it will be a good result.

[Bruce_Butterfield]

Horton, I was just picturing the veins in JD's head popping with "what the *#&$ are those @#$%* at USAWS thinking now" for about 5 seconds until he gets to HOLY #*%#"

 

The first time I saw this video, I thought there was a serious crash coming, but it really does look like fun.

[klindy]

Bruce there HAS to be other videos which include that "serious crash". Kind of reminds me of rally racing where it looks pretty cool until the inevitable ultimately happens!

 

At least there isn't a skier behind that boat! It would have to be another sport division and I can only imagine what the insurance costs would be!!

[Wish]

LOTs of crashes...... good ones about 4mn in.

 

What I don't get is what the heck is the rider for other than to make sure the drivers not experiencing the scariest frign boat ride ever all by himself? . It's not like he's the nav guy going "" ah.. Turn left.... Now right .. Left .. Right again. No I mean left. Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!

 

[Horton]

Why that is not the biggest sport in the world I do not know. I am selling my skis.

 

Wait what if they combined with speed skiing. That is what I call slalom skiing.

[klindy]

Better use a really short rope or you'll find yourself staring the driver in the eye after some of those tight turns!

 

That is some wild stuff!!

[Horton]

Ok now I am obsessed. I want to ski behind one of those things. As good a way to die as any.

[DW]

Actually, the second person is a navigator. Uses hand signals to communicate to driver, used that in off road navigation also when a radio quits.

[Wish]

More ... Bigger Badder and a liiiiiiiitle something in the middle. Ignor the into. Just read these things push 900+ horse power.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oxNVsIJL9Y&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Dusty]

Saw one of these testing at a ski lake here in the PNW. Very wild. 600+ hp. Aluminum hull (required by rules). Can run the slalom balls faster than a skier per the owner/driver. And best of all... that V8 is LOUD!

[Jody_Seal]

http://static.cl1.vanilladev.com/ballofspray.vanillaforums.com/uploads/FileUpload/c7/0061485b2c6cd46abccd8c38ea802c.jpg

 

I have actually taken a ride in a jet sprint.

I own two old flat bottom V-drives this one has actually pulled the "un-official" world single wake record of 207' held "un-officially" by Adam "Sledgehammer". We have pictures and may have posted them here before just cant find them now.http://static.cl1.vanilladev.com/ballofspray.vanillaforums.com/uploads/FileUpload/a0/629f37d4592dbf605dde0fc922dcf7.jpg

[crashman]

those boats are awesome. Do they have their own website where they discuss ways to grow the sport and obsess about the costs involved? Maybe give away some free mufflers in the off season and argue about rule changes?

[Wish]

Google USSBA. Further explanation. What amazes me is how bullet proof these hulls are considering the crashes they take.

 

[MJ1]

The guys that race in Australia donate the prize money back to help cover the insurance. It,s very cool to watch them go round a pretzel shaped track

 

[Horton]

Is the top speed very high or is it all 0 - 60?

[MJ1]

600 hp motors 100 k in two seconds I think the top teams do about 100 plus kph

[Chef23]

Now I know why those things have roll cages. That is crazy.

[Horton]

I still want to see this event with speed skiers attached.

[Wish]

The ski would have to be short for the turns as well as needing 55off to make the corners. Or add wheels to the ski to skip over land.