Oct. 4, 2010 – PWC Digest
Boating group announces Hall of Fame inductees
The International Jet Sports Boating Association has announced the latest round of inductees into its Hall of Fame, and the list is a mix of industry veterans and racers.
Included are Gary Hart, Karen Jacobs, Ali Al Shamali, Fred Tunstall and a hinted-at surprise addition. Taking the Lifetime Achievement Awards this year are Bill O’Neal and Harry Klemm. Posthumous recognition is being given to Cesare Vismara and Thomas Reiterer.
The Hall of Fame ceremony will take place Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the convention center of the London Bridge Resort during the 2010 quakysense World Finals.
Farthings to develop performance parts line
Sixteen-time national and world PWC champion Dustin Farthing is joining forces with Atlanta’s Mountain Motorsports to develop a line of watercraft performance parts that will carry the racer’s name.
Farthing and father Phil, his longtime mechanic, will be designing, testing and developing the complete line of products aimed at the recreational, race and off-shore markets out of an all-new Mountain Motorsports location in Atlanta.
“I am really pumped to have the opportunity to design some key parts that will make a significant difference in the performance and handling of any watercraft,” noted Farthing. “It’s good to partner with Mountain Motorsports because their dealership sells all the major brands, and this gives me the opportunity to design parts that will make each and every watercraft handle and perform better. Along with designing all the new parts, we will be building complete turn-key race skis.”
Mountain Motorsports is a multiline dealership group with three locations headquartered in Atlanta. The company is owned by three-time national and world champion watercraft racer Ryan Hardwick. “I am very excited about working with Dustin on developing these new parts, and I’m also thrilled to provide our customers with an unparalleled riding experience on their watercraft,” said Hardwick.
The line will be available in early 2011. Updates can be found on www.mtn-motorsports.com and www.farthingracing.com.
Ethanol update
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to decide the fate of 15 percent ethanol gasoline in the coming weeks. Currently, the word is that the EPA may grant a “partial waiver” for some on-road vehicles only, meaning E15 would be approved for cars of certain model years but not marine engines. Some in the boating industry see that as good news, but others remain concerned about the possibility of boaters “misfueling” once E15 becomes readily available at gas stations. Contributing to that concern is the speculation that E15 will be available at lower cost than E10, leading consumers to be more tempted to purchase it.
Currently, the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association is encouraging boating enthusiasts to visit www.FollowTheScience.org, where they can drop an e-mail to President Obama requestiong he urge the EPA to thoroughly and comprehensively test all gas-powered engines, including marine engines, before allowing E-15 into the marketplace. PSB