“We’ve had [a 2019 Yamaha FX SVHO] in the hands of our development team – Bruce Clarkson, Mark Nystrom and Jesus Garcia – for a while now,” RIVA Racing’s Dave Bamdas prefaced. “Getting performance out of the SVHO (Super Vortex High Output Yamaha Marine 1,812cc Marine Engine) was easy with our Maptuner X software, but getting the speed and more importantly, the handling right took some doing.”
Bamdas was careful not to echo some sentiments swirling around the performance tuning threads online. Doubters and naysayers blithely crow that the new Yamaha FX platform is slow, some going so far as to call it a step backwards. “Not so,” Bamdas defended vigorously. “But to get the ski to stay consistent at higher speeds took quite a bit of testing and development to get right.”
In the past two years, aftermarket performance enthusiasts have become spoiled by the immediacy of 80-plus-mph speeds provided by the Yamaha GP1800 – and now GP1800R – with solely a couple of modifications. “We were hitting 78 miles-per-hour with pretty much just an ECU reflash,” Bamdas recounted. “It didn’t take much at all. And we hadn’t even touched handling components. [The GP] didn’t need it.”
The new full-sized, 3-seater FX though, proved not as responsive as its smaller sibling. From the showroom floor, both craft clocked reasonably identical (sustained) top speeds: a fraction over 68mph. Although the new FX borrows heavily from the GP’s successful hull design – particularly below the splash-deflecting chine – the added 50-pounds (769 vs. 818-pounds) and length (131.9 vs. 140.9-inches) does increase the FX’s running surface, and thereby surface tension (ie. drag), considerably.
The Third round for the P1 AquaX USA Championships in St. Pete Beach was the venue for the international personal watercraft promoter to announce the latest edition of the Lucas Oil P1Aqua X World Rankings, and there was cause for celebration among the American riders who now fill the top four places. The man with the biggest smile as he was presented with the No. 1 jersey by new World Rankings sponsor Lucas Oil was Brian Baldwin.
The reigning P1 Aqua X world Champion from Denver, North Carolina has ousted Eric Francis from the top spot, with veteran racer Chris MacClugage holding on to third place.
Launched in 2014, the World Rankings identify the most consistent and talented P1 AquaX riders in the world and are revealed every three months. “They have become an established and valued part of our racing and we are delighted to welcome on board Lucas Oil as the new title sponsor” said Lisa Barsby, Global Head of P1 Aqua X. “Over 250 riders have now made an appearance in the rankings and they have become a great talking point.”
Since it was founded 30 years ago, Lucas Oil has recognizes the power of sport, and sponsorships have played a key role in building the company. It is no stranger to marine motorsports having sponsored Nigel Hook and his SilverHook offshore powerboat racing team for 18 years.”
The rankings are calculated using two years’ worth of data, with race results from the last 12 month taking precedence over those recorded between 12 and 24 months go, to ensure riders in from and sill racing in the series become the focus of the rankings. Factors that impact on the allocation of franking points include where the rider finishes, the number of competitors, the water conditions, the level of race class and of the riders taking part. World Championship level events score double ranking points, and appoints from races more than two years old are removed as the season continues, ensuring an ever-changing landscape that allows new riders to make their mark after just a year or two of P1 AquaX Racing.
Baldwin’s move to the top, which saw him don the No. 1 jersey for the first time, is the result of a strong finish last seasons and a solid start to this 2019 campaign. He will now be aiming to still wearing the jersey I November when he defends in world title in the Bahamas. Said Brian, “I’ve been working for this #1 since 2015 and it’s a great honor to hold this.”
At this year's event, RIVA Racing has set up our best trade booth ever, boasting a full line up of our aftermarket racing parts, our new 2019 Yamaha & Sea-Doo Custom Builds, plenty of fresh apparel, and a hands on display of the watercraft industry's #1 tuning device, the MaptunerX. RIVA Parts Technicians will be standing by in our tent for any watercraft or parts questions so feel free to swing by!
