Knowledge is King! Knowledge is one of the most crucial aspects of learning to race…

• All racers MUST be a member of the AJSA – JOIN HERE
• Pre-Register for all classes you would like to race online. If you register online, check-in is required at the registration site on Saturday morning.
• Onsite registration will be available but at a slightly higher cost.
• YOU MUST BE ON SITE, CHECKED IN, AND READY TO RACE BY THE TIME OF THE RIDER’S MEETING.
• Be sure to check the event-specific pages on this website for host hotel information and hotel discount deadlines. It is not uncommon for hotels to sell out, so plan ahead and book early!

Tools, gas, oil, riding equipment, spare parts, snacks, drinks, etc.  You should have a checklist for all items and equipment needed for the race!  Be sure to include a cooler(s), something for shade, watercraft stand, watercraft tote, and ATV.  Although not required, having your own watercraft tote and ATV/UTV will make things much easier.  If you do not have either of these ask another racer or see if an AJSA staff member can assist you.  Important: Not all race locations have a boat ramp.

Once at the race track, secure your pit area and head to the registration tent. If you are pre-registered, you will be required to check in, sign a waiver/release and receive a wristband. If you have not pre-registered, it will take longer to complete all forms and make payment.

Please note: pre-registration can save you a lot of time. After registration, your PWC will be “safety checked” by race staff. It is your responsibility to bring your PWC to the technical area for inspection. If you’re not sure where to go or what to do, just ask other racers or AJSA staff.

The AJSA requires all participating watercraft to undergo a safety check before entering the water. Every racer must have their skis inspected. Competitors are responsible for presenting their watercraft to the Technical Director for the safety inspection.

Safety checks are available from the start of on-site registration to the start of the rider meeting. Take your watercraft to the inspection area along with your tether, helmet, and lifejacket. The AJSA requires that all riders accompany their ski to the inspection. Please open or remove the hood, raise the handle poles, and remove the seat. Every ski must undergo a safety check before being allowed to take to the water.

Below is a list of some of the things the inspector will check:

• Do you have a Tow Loop
• Your Grips are secured and do not turn
• Are your Battery cables secured
• Are all fuel lines Zip-tied
• Do you have a DOT Approved helmet and USCG-approved life vest?
• Does your Lanyard/tether work properly and has the idle been turned down?

*** The Safety Tech inspection is to ensure your PWC(s) is safe to operate on the water.

Do not be afraid to ask for help from other racers or AJSA staff.  Most racers in the series are amazing people and are willing to help any first-time racer! Trust us, they were in your place once.  Most of all, DO NOT forget to offer help also!  Just remember that what goes around, comes around.

During closed course events, everyone needs to have one holder for ski classes and two holders for sport/runabout classes.  Be sure to identify and know who your holder(s) will be before you go to the line.  Ask other racers if they will hold for you if you do not have a holder or enough holders, other racers are often very willing to help.  Remember to tell them what class you are racing and make sure they have signed a waiver and release (if they have not already done so).

AJSA requires that all participants attend the MANDATORY rider’s meeting each day. In addition to being MANDATORY, other important information could be given.

There will be a random roll call for all riders prior to the meeting. The rider’s meeting will be announced well in advance. Any rider not present at the meeting will be given a dead engine start.

Upon conclusion of the rider’s meeting, the Race Director will meet with all first-time riders to answer any questions or resolve any concerns that remain.  Make sure to pay close attention and ask questions.

Freestyle riders will meet at a time to be determined prior to any freestyle event.

Course orientation and practices are strictly a time to get familiar with a course. On the first lap, a Course Marshal guides the riders through the track. Again, practice is for learning the race course and not for racing.

The race information board shows you which motos you are racing and, ultimately, how you ended up finishing them. Continually check the race board after posting to make sure you’re in the correct class. Wait at least 30 minutes after each moto for the results to be posted.

Never assume you won a moto without looking at the information board. Chances are you may have missed a buoy and didn’t know it. All racers will have thirty (30) minutes after the official results are announced to contest the results.

The Tower Commander indicates the number of laps to be run prior to each moto.  The starter’s card indicates to the rider the phase of the start sequence.  The “2″ card signals start engines.  The “1″ card signals all racers are ready and the sideways “1″card signals the start band will be released in 0-10 seconds. The race starts only when the band snaps. The rider(s) that jumps the band is penalized by having to utilize the makeup buoy.

The AJSA Tour uses a 2 moto format per day with each day being a different round. (For example, Saturday is round 1 and Sunday is round 2.)

Special Note: If a racer misses a buoy, the rider must take the black buoy per instruction from the Race Director at the rider’s meeting; otherwise they will be penalized one lap, per missed buoy. Competitors have thirty (30) minutes after the official results have been posted to contest any result.

[/fusion_highlight]

Race at your pace! Knowing your limits is essential. If you’re new to watercross, let other people make mistakes and capitalize on their mistakes. Please understand that while you may only be riding for 10-15 minutes, it will feel much longer.

Be careful and do not follow others on the racecourse, they may be going the wrong way!  If you think that you have missed a buoy, AJSA uses a BLACK BUOY as a make-up buoy. The use of the black buoy is defined in the rule book, but please ask any questions you may have at the rider’s meeting.

• For each missed buoy, you will be docked a full lap.
• Merge buoys and checkered buoys cannot be made up.

Numbers must be placed in a manner that is visible from each side of the watercraft. If numbers are illegible, the rider may not be scored. Riders holding the preceding year’s national ranking will have the first right of their earned race number.

1 digit is 7” tall by 5” wide – minimum

2 digits are 7” tall by 8” wide – minimum

3 digits are 7” tall by 11” wide – minimum

Duplicate numbers will be handled in accordance with the Chief of Race Operations’ discretion.

Helmets: A motocross helmet (Snell or DOT approved) is the only approved option for AJSA. (NO Mountain bike helmets)

Footwear: Any version of watercraft racing boots, wrestling shoes, high-top tennis shoes, etc.

Gloves: Any version of watercraft racing type is approved.  Some riders like to use water-skiing gloves or mechanics gloves.

Goggles: A pair of goggles is very important when racing watercraft. Applying Rain-X on the goggles helps to keep water off and goggles from fogging.

Back Protector: Back protection is mandatory for all ski competitors except for Freestyle.  Riders are required to wear a spinal column protection device capable of distributing, diffusing, or absorbing impact. Please Note: although required for ski competitors, it is advisable for all competitors, in all classes.

Due to the large number of people attending AJSA events, the rules for pit vehicles will be strictly enforced. ATVs, UTVs, mules, golf carts, etc. may only transport equipment within the pit lane or race start area. All other motor vehicles are prohibited, and recreational vehicles are not permitted (For example, no motorized pit bikes). All vehicles have a strict 5 mph speed limit. Violators of this rule will be fined. All pit vehicles must remain in the pit lane and follow the proper route to the launch area. Please obey any speed limit signs and watch out for pedestrians. It is everyone’s responsibility not to spoil this privilege for all racers. Any racer, crew, or official who violates this privilege will be fined $50 and/or have their vehicle confiscated. Anyone driving a pit vehicle must be at least 16 years old.

Competitors who do not claim their award when their name is called may be required to wait until the end of the day to receive their award.

The safety and enjoyment of all our guests is paramount. AJSA strictly prohibits the operation or use of any unmanned aerial vehicle (regardless of size, weight or purpose), also known as a “drone”, over AJSA premises, events or premises without the express written permission of an AJSA official.

Refunds CANNOT be made once any AJSA event has begun; it is the responsibility of the participant to make sure their equipment is running properly prior to the event. The event is considered to have started when the riders meeting has begun.

If for some reason any participant is unable to race, they may, at the discretion of AJSA, transfer an entry to another race event.

Refunds issued by check will be charged a $10.00 convenience fee.

Refunds issued by credit card will be charged an 8% convenience fee.

For the purposes of the AJSA Safety Policy, an “illegal substance” includes any substance that may not be prescribed under federal or state law and that may or may not have performance-enhancing or mood/state-altering effects when ingested. Furthermore, a “controlled substance” includes any substance that may be legally controlled by federal or state law which, when ingested, may have performance-enhancing, mood-altering, or thought-altering effects.

The unlawful use, possession, acquisition, or distribution of any controlled or illegal substance by any participant or AJSA member is prohibited at all times. A conviction or a guilty verdict in a criminal proceeding involving the unlawful use of an illicit substance or a controlled substance may subject the participant/AJSA member to the sanctions set forth in this policy. Nothing in this document should be construed to preclude the proper use of any medically necessary prescription or over-the-counter drug.

Unlawful possession, acquisition, or distribution of any prescription or over-the-counter drug by any participant or AJSA member is prohibited. In addition, the misuse of any prescription or over-the-counter drug in a manner inconsistent with the prescription or instructions provided by the manufacturer and/or prescriber or pharmacist is prohibited.

Any competitor is prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages in a manner that may affect his/her conduct during the practice, qualifying, or race portion of any AJSA event. AJSA’s “under the influence” standard refers to anyone who, in AJSA’s sole discretion, is considered abnormal or impaired and/or who subsequently has alcohol in their system as determined by approved testing to be in violation of this policy. While it is not a violation of this policy for a participant or AJSA member to consume alcoholic beverages at the venue in accordance with the laws and regulations, it is unlawful for a member to act in an unsafe manner for any detriment anywhere at an AJSA event. It is a violation of this policy to serve alcoholic beverages on-premises in a manner consistent with this policy.

AJSA may require participants/AJSA members to participate in systematic drug and/or alcohol testing. AJSA may require any participant or AJSA member to be tested for prohibited substances or to use controlled substances, prescription or over-the-counter drugs, or alcohol in violation of this policy. Such testing may be conducted by a report from an appropriate source or by observation of signs, symptoms, or behavior, or randomly for suspected violations of this policy. Furthermore, testing can be carried out on or off the track after any accident. Testing may be required at or outside the event.

It is a violation of this policy to refuse to authorize and accept such testing in a timely manner. It is a violation of this policy to refuse to release to the AJSA the test results of a testing agency or a person who conducts such testing. All testing performed “for good cause” or “reasonable suspicion” is at the participant’s or AJSA member’s expense. Testing must be performed at a facility selected by the ASJA. The results of such tests cannot be protested or appealed. The ASJA may, at its sole discretion, publish the results of such testing. No person or entity mentioned in this notice has any authority to act against AJSA or the person who posted this notice. If testing is not possible but ASJA suspects that damage has occurred for any reason, AJSA may remove the participant or ASJA member from the facility or take other action it deems appropriate.

Any entrant or AJSA member found to be in violation of any part of this section may be required to take a test or retest before participating in any AJSA-sanctioned event or earning AJSA membership or regaining privileges. ASJA does not provide rehabilitation services. This policy also does not provide for any recovery period in relation to this part of the policy. Conversely, nothing in this policy is intended to discourage anyone from seeking treatment or assistance with drug or alcohol problems, and ASJA strongly encourages participants or members in need to seek such treatment or assistance.