ABOUT
THE RULES THAT APPLY TO THE FNTBOAT PREPARATION
The FNT has tried to run the most basic of rules.
Any Motor.
OEM Top Deck.
Sounds simple but allow us to explain. The FNT tries to run the IJSBA 2004/5 rule book, but we do not want to have to strip engines after competition. This afterall is a friendly event, we would prefer it if people kept to the 800cc ruling. The main reason for a OEM (stock) top deck is brought in to keep the price a little lower. Using carbon fibre hulls can be expensive.
Most craft, if not all to date, come with under 800cc motors, and have stock top decks and hulls. It is fair to say most AM competitors start out with nothing more than foot holds!
SCRUTINEERING
Things to look out for.
The machine has to be safe, no sharp edges around the outside of the hull.
All fuel lines must be zip tied at connections.
The throttle cable must be secure, in good condition and work correctly.
Stop button must work.
Grips should be tight, as should throttle lever.
All fixings should be secure.
The breather tube should be fitted correctly.(External to the engine bay)
THE
FNT IN 2006The Tour has achieved its goal in producing top-flight riders from all around the UK. The riders that have taken the step from the FNT to British competition, and even beyond, have all ranked highly.
The tour was originally set up to introduce riders to the world of freestyle, to show that the world of competitive riding is not a daunting place to be. The FNT prides it self on being a friendly place, an enjoyable weekend away with likeminded people. A place for riders new or old to share hints and tips along the way, a place that pushes the boundaries of any rider more than they would ever be pushed riding with their mates. The price of the entry fee for two days is less than most places charge for one launch fee, there are no hidden extras. All that is asked is that every rider produces valid insurance at every event and abides by the rules. To have fun, relax and enjoy is the biggest unwritten rule of all.
The Tour runs AM competition on a Saturday and Open on a Sunday.
Don’t let the word ‘competition’ put fear in your heart. No one is made to compete, it is possible to come and ride for the weekend without having to compete, it just seems silly to make the journey and not have a go whilst there. After all there’s usually some nice silverware up for grabs for a top three position, did we forget to mention the major prizes at the end of the year?
Am riders are those that have never competed in licensed competition before, I.E. British, European Championships.
Open competition is for any rider, these riders have usually finished in the top three final standing of the FNT, or hold a competitive license. All AM riders are also allowed to enter into the Open competition, if you think this seems a little like ‘walking into a Lions den’ you would be wise to have a word with Jamiee Brown. Remember more competition means more experience.
Venues are located around the UK, 2005 saw the use of two completely different Sea venues. To press Colwyn Bay is again confirmed for the 2006 Tour, work is underway to try and secure another tidal venue. The rest are lakes, these vary in depth greatly something the Tour again thinks improves a riders capabilities.
The last three years has seen Jet Skier and Personal Watercraft Magazine sponsor the Tour. This means there is a good chance of seeing your name in print and also a picture or two of yourself along the way. This exposure is important to riders as it all helps in getting sponsorship. There are usually a few other cameras around and these pictures can also be found on the web.
Worried about accommodation?
Most riders and crew camp on site. This can be anything from a tent to a motor home. Most riders prefer to stay with their machine. However hotels can usually be found close to each venue.
Costs?
With the entry fee being lower than most launch fees the only real cost is fuel, and that is dependant on the individual rider.
Entertainment?
Well when 5 times British Champion Keith Rimmer is around there’s usually something going on.
ABOUT
JETSKI FREESTYLE IN GENERALJust what is jetski freestyle? I guess it was born out of mans natural desire to show off,the "free" part of the name meaning that other than a time limit,there are no real rules.In the early days of jetski racing,it was just a bit of light entertainment during lunchtime,a tradition that still survives to this day,but one that is taken a lot more seriously now,with the potential to spend more money on a freestyle ski than on one prepared for racing.
In freestyle,the rider is the only one on the water,so everyones eyes will be on him (or her),for the two minute duration of their routine.The rider raises his hand to indicate when he wants to start his routine and for the clock to be started,after 1 minute 45 seconds,he gets two blasts on a hooter to let him get his last trick in,then after two minutes there are three blasts on the hooter to indicate the end of the routine,any tricks that are performed after this will not be scored.
There will normally be five assorted judges doing the scoring,the rider being scored for getting in as many different unrepeated tricks as possible in the time,and sucessfully completing all of them.Spectacular big air tricks will not necessarily score any higher than a technically as difficult, surface trick that may be more difficult to see,but as long as all the tricks "flow" together well,all the different types of tricks can carry roughly equal marks.This applies to surface tricks,underwater ones,and of course the favourite big air ones.
If you are competing for the first time,and want to put a routine together,there a few things you need to know.Although it is possible to compete and still be competitive on a stock ski,there are a few basic mods that will soon become essential.The first one is extra bilge pumps to get rid of the water that will enter the engine bay a lot quicker with the underwater tricks,at least a couple of 500GPH electric pumps,and maybe even a through hull scupper type as well.Setting up the steering to turn as quickly as possible helps to whip the back of the ski around,and a rideplate that isn't too sticky to make it easier to slide when you do.Footholds cut into the tray side walls help give grip on nose stabs,subs and other airborn tricks,or even just rubber strips known as "lifters" fixed to the sides can do almost as well.A freestyle ski needs lots of bottom end and midrange acceleration to give the rider more control to get the ski out of the water,so an engine tune that gives this is preferable,a lot of riders now opting for a single carb set up,with a skimmed head(or aftermarker high compression), reeds+reed stuffers+spacers,an aftermarket exhaust,and maybe a lightened flywheel and total loss ignition as well.
When you do your routine,make sure you are always visible to the judges,if you are so far away they can't make out what you're doing,you won't get scored for it,if you do any underwater tricks that WILL take on a lot of water,always follow these up with some gentle surface tricks to give your bilges time to get rid of the water that can destabilise your ski as it sloshes around inside,and maybe even get sucked into the engine and cause some damage.And it's probably good to emphasise,don't get the judges wet,you'll almost certainly get marked down for it,but most of all,ENJOY IT!!!!!!!!
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