Watercross: IJSBA pro racing celebrates 20 years in Lake Havasu City

The 20th Annual Skat-Trak Watercross World Championships, the premier personal watercraft racing extravaganza in the world, is getting set to be held Oct. 7-14 on the shores of the Crazy Horse RV Resort & Campground in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.

The event features nearly 2,000 entries from as many as 40 nations, vying for more than $120,000 in prizes money and contingencies.

Based in Calimesa, Calif., Skat-Trak, an aftermarket manufacturer of personal watercraft pumps and impellers, has helped bring added international presence along with considerable growth since first becoming title sponsor in 1990.

"Skat-Trak's support and active participation have played an integral role in the enduring success of the Watercross World Championships," said IJSBA Managing Director Mark Denny. "The professionalism of owners Ken and Diane Stuart, and their dedicated staff, continue to portray our sport and this event in an extremely positive light. Their involvement has added considerably to the IJSBA's position in the industry and through this showcase event, Skat-Trak has helped us achieve unparalleled exposure."

Skat-Trak heads the long list of pro-active companies who are joining the sport's "biggest week" as sponsors of the exciting racing spectacle.

"Having a company with the stature in the industry of Skat-Trak in the premier sponsor position for the Watercross World Championships automatically opens more doors for us in marketing and producing the event," said Jim Kidrick, President/CEO of San Diego's Bayfair Presents, which is producing and promoting the event for the first time.

"We fully recognize the role Ken and Diane Stuart have played in growing this great event to its current level and we are working closely with them to help enhance the event's overall impact among sponsors, racers, the industry, media and the general public," added Kidrick. "The assistance from the Lake Havasu City Tourism Bureau and the hundreds of local volunteers is invaluable. We couldn't do it without them."

Associate sponsors for the event include the sport's four major manufacturers -- Kawasaki, Polaris, Sea-Doo and Yamaha. In addition to being part of the IJSBA Manufacturer's Member Group, they also support race teams with varying degrees of assistance.

The Skat-Trak Watercross World Championships will air on a delayed basis as a one-hour special in the U.S. on the Speedvision Network. First airings are scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. (PST).

Tickets go on sale through all TicketMaster outlets and the Bayfair Presents office. Aqua Stadium General Admission ticket prices for the final four days of the event (Oct. 11-14) range from $10 each for Thursday and Friday and $15 each for Saturday and Sunday to discounted four-day General Admission tickets at $35 each.

Watercross Super Passes are also available, including pit access, with prices ranging from $40 for Sunday only to $60 for the four-day package. Aqua Stadium general admission is free for children, 12 and under. Special discounts are also available for current IJSBA members, Lake Havasu City residents and Senior Citizens (60 and over).

A veritable salute to personal watercraft and the youthful lifestyle it represents, the industry's biggest week includes several distinct championship events.

Starting the week will be the 2001 Novice and Amateur Watercross National Championships (Oct. 7-9), followed by the 2001 Expert Watercross World Championships (Oct. 10-12), and concluding with the featured 2001 Pro Watercross World Championships (Oct. 13-14).

Freestyle athletes will compete for the Amateur Freestyle World Championship on Friday, Oct. 12 and the Pro Freestyle World Championship on Sunday, Oct. 14.

Official event lodging is available through the Ramada Inn-Lake Havasu City at (800) 528-5169 or (520) 855-1111. The Ramada Inn has been selected as one of the official host hotels for the racers as well as officials of Bayfair Presents and the IJSBA.

For more event information, contact Bayfair Presents of San Diego at (619) 225-9160 of visit the official website of the Skat-Trak Watercross World Championships at Skat-Trak Watercross.