Multiple Jet Sport Champion also ends P5 in headline Pro-Stock
Next stop Thailand for Jet Sport World Cup & World Series finale
Jet Sport racer Simon Belcher delivered another series of highly competitive performances on his debut in the Pro Watercross World Championship in Florida over the weekend, bringing a successful conclusion to the British rider’s Stateside adventure.
Belcher, who starred during the second round of the Jet Sport ‘World Series’ at Lake Havasu in Nevada three weeks ago, headed to Naples in Florida for a total of six races across Friday, 1st November, and Saturday, 2nd November, in Pro Watercross and performed very strongly.
On day one, Belcher – team boss of touring car squad HMS Racing – managed to deliver three good finishes in the Pro-Am Veteran Class to conclude Friday’s action second overall in the championship, despite not quite finding the set-up he wanted with his Yamaha GP1800.
Fast forward to Saturday in the Pro-Stock Championship, featuring three former World Champions, Belcher took fifth position overall after three hard-fought encounters. Working tirelessly to improve his set-up across the three races, the Briton did make positive steps and was ultimately satisfied with the performance.
Importantly, the vital additional experience gained can only stand Belcher in good stead for the last event of the three-round World Series at Pattaya City in Thailand which takes place at the beginning of December, along with the World Cup.
“It was good to get second in the Veteran class, even though we didn’t manage to find the sweet spot with the set-up, and I’m pleased with the overall result”, reflected Belcher, “We continued to work hard for Saturday in Pro Stock and we learnt a lot, which will all make me stronger going forward – you never stop learning.
“Pro Stock was the main event of the weekend, recorded for broadcast on CBS in America, so the profile was fantastic. It was always going to be a challenge racing against some serious competition, including three World Champions, and it wasn’t until midway through the final race I got the set-up dialled in and feeling like my boat back home in the UK.”
He added: “I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been part of making this event in Florida possible for us, especially Dean Charrier who has worked incredibly hard all weekend in really hot conditions. Next stop for us now is Thailand for the World Cup, and final round of the World Series, where we’re determined to end the year on a high.”
Belcher’s season in Jet Sport is supported by Dean’s Team Yamaha, AVOS Watersports Den, Yamaha UK, Yamalube, Retrojet