PSP NZ JETSPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP IS BACK

Jetsprinting is one of the fastest sports on the planet and the Kiwi drivers and their navigators certainly missed their adrenaline fix in 2021/2022. They were eagerly waiting the first national round held last weekend at the Hastings Jetsprint Track.

Following this weekend’s opening round, the 2022/23 calendar features tracks as high up the North Island as Meremere and as far down the South Island as Wanaka. In between, the jetsprinters will also race in Featherston, Wanganui and Waitara. 

Four classes will feature in this season’s programme, where the high-octane action sees the boats accelerating from 0-100 kmh in under 2 seconds, with up to 6Gs of lateral force while cornering. 

PSP New Zealand Jetsprint Championship’s feature four classes.  

MouthFRESH Superboats: This category features the real big boys’ toys, where superchargers and turbos are the norm. There are no engine rules (anything goes) and the methanol sucking MouthFRESH Superboats produce a phenomenal 1000-plus horsepower (more than 750kW). While there’s a ‘big block’ versus ‘small block’ argument to be had, everyone agrees these Superboats are guaranteed to provide maximum excitement! Around twelve NZ-based Superboats are expected to face the starter, with up to three more international drivers racing at selected events.

Sprintec Boats Group A: These jetsprint boats often get over 700 horsepower (520kW) from their 6700cc engines (412 cubic inch). With bigger carburettors, huge camshafts and larger jet units than Group B, the Sprintec Boats Group A category provides extremely close, exciting competition with a strong field of drivers always challenging for the win. This class can be compared to Pro-Stock drag racing, whereby you win or lose by hundredths of a second – it’s brutal! It is one of only two internationally recognised classes, and the reigning Group A World Champion is a Kiwi.

MTW Group B: These are powerful racing machines, producing up to 600hp from their Chev V8 engines. Many of their motors are essentially a restricted version of a carbureted 6.7 litre (412ci) Group A motor. The Group B boats are reliable and with relatively low running costs, they have been proving very popular with new jetsprinters.

MTW LS Class: The 400cu small block Chev engine has been the foundation of modern jetsprinting and it’s a long way from finished yet. However, now it’s time for a new generation of engines to shine and the MTW LS Class welcomes the Chev LS engine. 
The MTW LS class has been introduced to allow LS1, LS2, L98, L76 and LS3 engines to be tuned to 580hp and raced in a lightweight exciting package. The aluminium construction and availability of the Commodore-based power plant makes these engines perfectly suited to jetsprinting. The LS class is designed to encourage keen punters to grab a boat and come racing and it has three teams entered.

PSP New Zealand Jetsprint Championship’s 2022/2023 Calendar

• 19 November 2022: Round One – Hastings Jetsprint Track, Hastings.
• 4 December 2022: Round Two – Kiwispan Jet Sprint Track, Featherston. 
• 27 December 2022: Round Three – Shelter View, Wanganui. 
• 18 February 2023: Round Four – Sprint Bowl, Meremere. 
• 4 March 2023: Round Five – Waitara Aquatrack. 
• 8 April 2023: Round Six – Novus Glass Aquatrack, Wanaka

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