AquaX (pronounced “Aqua Cross” btw), is the fastest growing personal watercraft championship in the world. Malaysia plays host to the international jet ski race series this weekend. The racing series is designed from ground up to be an accessible, low cost sport with a simple, yet challenging format for recreational and competitive riders alike.
The three-event series kicks off on 29 & 30 October 2016 at Metropolitan Lake Kepong, followed by D’Island Residence Puchong on 26 & 27 November; with the grand finale on 10 & 11 December 2016.
This is the first time the series is held in Asia, and specifically Malaysia, having launched in the UK in 2011 with subsequent expansion to the US (2013) and Europe this year.
In Malaysia, P1 Marine Motorsports (Malaysia) holds the commercial rights to P1 AquaX in Malaysia. P1 AquaX provides an excellent platform for personal watercraft (PWC) riders to compete, who otherwise must look overseas for sanctioned and professional events. The global race series will open the sport also to 7,000 recreational jet skiers in the country.
The AquaX race format is divided into two categories – Enduro and Sprint, with Professional and Amateur classes. Both categories are split based on horsepower – 300hp, 250hp, and 200hp.
Enduro features large sit-down jet skis with minor modifications allowed. It’s a test of will and preparation, with the tracks large and a 3-heat 30-minute format. It’s not all about outright speed as with any endurance race, it’s about physical conditioning and equipment that’s mechanically sound. To win, one must first finish, as they say.
Sprint, on the other hand involves the original stand-up jet skis. Racers battle in a smaller race course, and it’s all about speed and agility. Each race spans 10 minutes. There’s also Sprint Spark, a newly-spawned class that lasts 12 minutes. Each class will have a total of four race heats.
The race heats will run over two days, where the rider with the most points based on their positions in each race, will be crowned event champion. Over the three-event series, all points will be tallied and the rider with the most points will be declared the 2016 P1 AquaX Malaysia Series Champion. This will happen at the grand finale at D’Island Residences in Puchong on 10 & 11 December 2016.
Day 1 Results
A total of 24 jet ski racers will compete across three categories – Sprint Spark, Sprint Ski and Enduro. Five racers were held – two each from Sprint Spark and Sprint Ski, will one for Enduro. A storm that lasted over an hour failed to dampen the spirits of the racers on Day 1.
Nineteen-year-old Malaysian upstart Bryan Chia clinched top spot in today’s Enduro, after lingering in second place for the first half of the race. Race leader Mohamad Faez had to pull out after suffering technical difficulties in the 30-minute challenge.
Another 19-year old took top honours in the Sprint Spark category – Mohd Danial Mohd Shariff who currently heads standings going into Day 2. He placed third in the first race, before winning the second. 34-year-old veteran jet-skier Raja Nazrin Shah was winner of the first race, and is now tied in second place with Saifullah Nazar.
The veterans also dominated the Sprint Ski category with 39-yeard old Hj Idzam Horhadi Hj Mashud winning both races. Brothers Muhammad Syahmi Hashi and Muhammad Fadhli Hashim are tied in second spot.
Another six racers will be held today, 30 November at Metropolitan Lake Kepong. Entrance is free for the public.
For more information about P1 AquaX visit www.p1aquax.com or Facebook/P1Aquax
