The DJSA Outlaw Jet Ski series had its annual “Jet Effect” race this past weekend at Lake Minden Park in Nicolaus, CA. The biggest race of the DJSA year includes not only two days of intense racing, but also a junior race, RC car race, mountain bike race, softball, and a racer appreciation BBQ. Muscle Milk MEGA Athlete Memo Gidley was there along with a huge turnout of riders from all over California.
“This is a weekend that I really look forward to because it is so much fun!” said Gidley. “The racing is intense as ever but the other activities that they plan make this a weekend to remember.”
First to hit the water on Saturday were the junior riders. Nine year old Rachel Gidley was all tuned up on her Yamaha Superjet and was anxious to get out there. “I really wanted to get on the water to race because I wanted to see how fast I could go,” said Gidley. “I have been practicing on holding the throttle wide open on the straightaways.” Rachel had a great two runs and ended up with a nice fourth place trophy for her efforts.
Next on the water were the adults with open practice by class. “It felt great to get on the water, “said Gidley. “I was a little out of jet ski shape because I have been very busy with other racing so I really needed to get some good starts to make my life a little easier out there!”
With a two race heat format for the 850cc expert class on Saturday, Gidley had some good starts and came away with a third and a second to get second overall for the day. “I’ll take that!” said Gidley. “It was nice to podium and I am happy to come away with a good result.”
Just as the sun was going down on Saturday, the rest of the Jet Effect activities were just getting underway. Typical Jet Effect Saturday nights can go way into the wee light hours of the morning. “I was hoping that my competition would all stay up very late and be very tired for Sundays races!” said Gidley.
Although Sundays races got off to a slow start, by the time the first heat races rolled around, the start beach was full of fired up riders. Sundays schedule was a three heat format with the second and third heat run back to back.
In the first 850cc Expert class start, Gidley launched off the line and then proceeded to launch his jet ski from underneath him as the field rounded the first turn. “Wow…that was a crazy start!” said Gidley. “I got cross rutted and just flew off the ski going about 60 mph with the field all packed up.” Gidley got up to salvage a sixth place finish. In the second heat Gidley got a decent start but once again found himself swimming early on. On the third heat Gidley came home with a third place finish.
“All in all it was a great weekend!” said Gidley. “It was great to get back out there after a few weeks off and go bar to bar with these guys. Jim and the DJSA crew made this one of the most fun “Jet Effects” that I have been to.”