The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the USWRA to create one sanctioning body in the United States. This agreement will create unity in the United States and allow both groups, and the promoters and racers they represent, to work together toward a common goal of improving the excitement and quality of PWC racing in the United States.

“Two sanctioning bodies in the U.S. did not benefit or help the sport in the U.S., and we are pleased to be able to be able to work together with all promoters and racers in the U.S. to begin to move the sport in a positive direction.”, said Patrick Mell, the APBA Personal Watercraft Racing Marketing & Event Coordinator. “All egos must be checked at the door and we must all work as a team to help rebuild the sport of watercraft racing in the United States. Jacque Bryant, the head of the USWRA, will work with the APBA to make this an easy transition for the promoters and racers. Both organizations were in 100% agreement that we need to work as one to improve the sport.

One of the immediate goals is to create several new committees and begin working on rebuilding the sport in the United States. The committees will include a Rules Committee, a Strategic Marketing Committee, and other committees like an Endurance Committee to help build that area of our sport. These committees will be created to look out for the best interest of the United States, the promoters, racers, and the sanctioning body it represents. An Executive Committee will also be created to provide guidance to these newly created APBA committees, and establish policy for important issues like the awarding of regional dates, establishing the criteria for an event to be considered a national event, awarding national events, a national ranking system, etc. The most important thing is that we must all work together with a positive attitude if we are to make a difference. The APBA will be seeking motivated individuals to participate on these committees. The APBA is looking for racers, promoters, and other industry representatives that are knowledgeable and dedicated to making a difference and positive contribution to improving the sport.

Below is list of important changes that will be made due to the USWRA events and promoters becoming part of the APBA program:

  1. Riders with no or expired memberships will need to join the APBA.
  2. The APBA will agree to honor all USWRA memberships until they expire at APBA events. All USWRA membership funds collected as of July 15 will be converted to APBA memberships. The APBA will offer a discounted membership to those USWRA members wanting to convert their USWRA membership to an APBA membership before the due date, so that they will immediately receive APBA benefits like APBA’s monthly magazine.
  3. Since the two organizations have been running by different rules, the APBA has agreed to run by the 2005 IJSBA rulebook for the Watercross Nationals and all other events in the United States beginning on August 1, 2005. This is 2 weeks earlier than was announced by the APBA earlier in the year. This will allow all riders an opportunity to participate at the APBA Watercross Nationals.
  4. All racers will be invited to participate at the Watercross Nationals in Nashville that will be recognized as the U.S. National Championship for Closed Course racing and Freestyle. To participate riders must have raced in at least one APBA or USWRA event during the 2005 season. The event will take place on August 12, 13, and 14.
  5. The APBA will recognize the Supercourse Nationals put on by Team Sport Racing in Texas as the U.S. National Championship for that discipline. The event will take place on September 16, 17, and 18.
  6. The APBA will continue to be an International Affiliate of the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) and work hand-in-hand with the IJSBA to better the sport representing the United States.

For more information, contact Patrick Mell at APBA National Headquarters at (586) 773-9700 or send an e-mail to Patrick@apba-racing.com . Information on the U.S. promoters events is available at www.apbaracing.com and www.uswra.com.