Scott Waterjet takes jetsprint Group A naming rights

New Zealand based manufacturer and exporter of jet-boat propulsion units, Scott Waterjet Ltd, has scooped naming rights to the up-coming international Group A jetsprint championship series.

Known as the ‘Scott Waterjet Group A’ category, the South Island based industry won the coveted title after promoters of the series raffled the rights in an effort to raise funds for the six-round championship season. An internationally recognised class, the 412 cubic inch engine capacity restriction creates up to 650 horsepower to power the jet unit.

Located in Winchester, South Canterbury, Scott Waterjet CEO Konrad Scott was thrilled to get the news, binding his brand to the jetsprint championship series that begins on 27 December.

“I’m the sort of guy who never wins anything – so I was super-stoked when I found out.”

A step on the ladder to a greater international profile, Scott says the synergy between his product, the sport and being in front of the public with the associated television and media coverage is achieved by being a category sponsor.

“What we are trying to do is get better coverage on what we are as a company and what products we are working on and developing. So getting the brand name out there in the general public is huge.”

“We’ve got our 850 series jet that we are pushing currently – covering smaller leisure boats to reasonable sized sea boats. We are pushing them in to Europe, North America, Australia and so on. The commercial water jet side of our business is where we are expanding most at the moment.”

Scott also see’s the naming rights as return to competitors for supporting his product as it’s improved: “Peter Briant’s team will be running a new evolution of the eight and a half inch jet; we’ve also got in testing two nine and a half inch Superboat jets which are currently running in Australia.”

With the raffle drawn in Wanganui by representatives of the New Zealand Jet Sprint Association (JSA) under police supervision, a second and third place draw gave incentive for business to partake in the restricted 150 ticket promotion.

Wanganui based H&A Design and Print took second place with 50 VIP hospitality tickets for each of the six rounds plus six promotion rides. Hamilton’s Drainage Systems, owned by competitor Mark Newdick, placed third, winning three promotional jetboat rides.

Starting on 27 December 2009 at Wanganui’s Upokongaro venue, the series is spread across the North Island, finishing at the Wairarapa racecourse facility of Tauherenikau in late April. With roughly four weeks between rounds, Featherston is also the second (24 January), followed by Meremere (21 February), Hawke’s Bay (14 March), Wanganui (10 April) with a return to Featherston in the Wairarapa on 24 April.

The series features three competition categories: the Jetpro Lites, Scott Waterjet Group A and Suzuki Superboat, with a total of 31 entries received so far.

Tickets for the day can be purchased online at http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=3703 or at the venue: From Wanganui on SH4 head north toward Kaiwhaki Road, signs direct traffic past the township of Upokongaro.

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Television: Each round will be broadcast on SKY TV beginning in March. (UIM World Championship coverage held in Australia will be on SKY in January and run into first week of February).

2010 Jetpro Jetsprinting New Zealand Championship – season racing calendar

Sunday 27th December 2009 – Rd 1 – Wanganui
Sunday 24th January 2010 – Rd 2 – Featherston
Sunday 21st February 2010 – Rd 3 Meremere
Sunday 14th March 2010 – Rd 4 – Hawke’s Bay
Saturday 10th April 2010 – Rd 5 Wanganui (under lights)
Saturday 24th April – Rd 6 Final – Featherston

About jet sprinting:

Jet sprint venues are often set in a low-lying area where a water supply is available to maintain a stable track level. Excavated channels allow for a number of configurations, linked to create a track that takes just on a minute to accomplish at speed.
Each boat has a driver and navigator, who must complete the pre-determined course from memory and against the clock.
Following two practise attempts, teams’ enter an elimination cut-off, the eight fastest cut to four and then two for a final run-off. Times for each previous run are not carried forward and only count toward a personal best mark.
Championship points are awarded on the cut-off finish position in each of the three categories per round.

Issued on behalf of Jetpro – promoters of the New Zealand jetsprinting championship series. www.jetpro.co.nz