Rachel Cummings: How Wrenching on JetSkis Can Make You a Better Racer

How Wrenching on JetSkis Can Make You a Better Racer

Episode Notes:

• 00:15 Introduction.
• 01:52 How did you get into jet skiing?
• 04:24 You have a boyfriend who loves jet skis too.
• 07:30 You started on an X2, when did you get a Superjet?
• 09:50 Innovation is great, it leads to the whole industry going forward.
• 10:27 Finding your SuperJet just before spring break.
• 12:12 How we converted the ski for the surf.
• 14:02 Disappointed with the performance at first.
• 15:35 Chasing whaleboats at Pismo.
• 20:20 Your first real jet ski event at Huntington Beach.
• 22:34 Andrew’s family has a house at Lake Havasu.
• 24:09 I was racing just to finish.
• 25:20 How did your first race go?
• 26:58 Scrambling to get gear last minute.
• 27:39 I was the only girl who signed up.
• 29:04 We realized we were actually competitive.
• 29:41 We pitted next to Michael Prodanovich.
• 31:04 So you ride dirt bikes too? Tell us about that.
• 36:58 Risk vs reward became more important.
• 37:31 How did you go from your SuperJet to a vintage ski?
• 40:28 Andrew has been collecting parts for years.
• 43:20 Mark Gomez riding without a hood.
• 44:07 Your ski in particular is really nice, tell us about where that started.
• 46:21 How did you budget and plan for your ski?
• 47:49 Wrenching on jetskis is the fun part, it gives you a greater connection to your gear.
• 51:46 Mod parts do change your style, it really is personal preference.
• 53:37 What’s your preference on steering? She prefers a slower turn to combat over-adjusting. Steering takes priority over the engine when upgrading.
• 56:32 Tell us about your 750 pump, what difference could you feel compared to a 550?
• 59:20 What is your recommendation on impeller pitch? We bend them ourselves and test.
• 01:00:20 Tell us about your intake, they are very aggressive.
• 01:01:14 Tell us about your ride plate, what adjustments have you made? Cut holes into it.
• 01:02:42 We are all here to help each other, Andrew is very open with what he does.
• 01:03:41 Engine bay: 550 Reed engine, RC520 Cylinders, custom porting.
• 01:04:14 Compression: Over 200 psi.
• 01:06:37 Intake: Dual carburetor setup, the rest is custom and secret, but it is tuned well.
• 01:07:17 Ignition: Lightened flywheel with MSD Ignition using the older analogue chips, The downsides of Total Loss Ignition.
• 01:10:14 Batteries: We always buy good batteries, I get a whole day out of a charge, you can use a lightened charging flywheel for a compromise between stock and full mod.
• 01:11:57 What are your best memories of that build?
• 01:13:49 Why do you use a halfpipe in your engine? We just tried it and liked it.
• 01:14:30 What about the waterbox? It is custom made as well.
• 01:14:52 What are your goals for 2021 and the World Finals?
• 01:15:42 2020 World Finals goal was to finish in the top 10
• 01:18:04 How are you preparing differently this year vs last year? Skills vs fitness? Signing up for more races.
• 01:24:01 Tell us about women's racing and your experience of it.
• 01:27:17 What is your favourite part about the Vintage Jetski community? Why would someone want to join?
• Final Questions

• • 01:30:10 Handling setup: Sand the grooves in your hull to make them even and a bit deeper, use bed liner to keep it safe and strong.
  • 01:32:24 Engine tips: Put duel carburetors in it, high compression head, make it tunable.
  • 1:34:01 Favourite races: My dual with Mark Gomez and Andrew. Here’s some GoPro footage… (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MhSzTk0DxE)
  • 01:42:37 Hardest fought race was at the ISJBA World Finals Qualifier, ending 5th out of 9.
• 01:45:56 Thank you Rachel!