There is an old saying, never take a knife to a gun fight and Trent Brown must have had this in his mind when he decided to head to the 2012 World Finals held at Lake Havasu in the USA.
In preparation Trent approached local Christchurch mechanic and jet ski builder Brad Clarke to build him a ski to take on the world at the highest level.
Clarke started with a stock Kawasaki SX-R which came from the factory with a 800cc two cylinder engine, however that engine was moved aside pretty fast as it made way for a 1100 triple cylinder removed from a Kawasaki ZXI sit-down watercraft.
Before the engine was shoe-horned into the hull of the SX-R it was completely rebuilt with a few tricky bits added for reliability and performance.
The hull was left in stock form apart from the bolt on handling components and truing (ensuring the edges are straight and consistant)
The Havasu track is much larger than any of the tracks that were raced on throughout the year in New Zealand so with this in mind two things were important for this build… Good top end speed and a smooth power delivery, having the smoother power delivery makes it easier on the strength of rider to be able to hold on stronger for the whole race.
At Havasu Trent managed three out of three holeshots in the ever competitive Pro GP class up against the world’s best, he managed two wins but had a small directional error in the last race upsetting the points. This proves it’s is one of the best crafts in the world.
Since Havasu the craft was shipped back to New Zealand (via Thailand for the Kings Cup race) and has had many more hours of R&D on the engine and pump. They are now waiting an all new Trinity Kommander V-drive Vector hull, which is reported to be easier to ride and a lot more stable. Once this 2013 hull arrives the engines and pump will be fitted and it will be put up against the 2012 ski for some back to back testing.
Engine
Kawasaki 1100 Stock Crankshaft with Wiseco Pistons
81mm Bore, Crankshaft Stock Stroke
Kawasaki OEM Crankcases
Displacement 1097cc
Wiseco 81mm Pistons & Rings
ADA Billet Head with 22cc Domes
Compression: 205psi
OEM Exhaust System with Internal mods and water routing mods
Left Hand Rear Exhaust with hand made Waterbox
Kommander Intake Manifold
3 x Stock SXR 40mm Miknui Carbs
Kommander Flame Arrestors
Cooling Lines in: 2 x ½ inch into exhaust manifold
Cooling lines out: 2 from the head, 2 from the exhaust
Electrical
Stock Kawasaki ECU
Stock Kawasaki Flywheel
Sparkplugs: BR9ES
Pump and Driveline
Skat-Trak Setback Magnum Pump
Originally 16-22 Three Blade Swirl Impeller
Skat-Trak Drop Nozzle/Exit Nozzle
Stock 1100 Couplers
Shortened SXR Driveshaft
Hull & Handling Components
Stock Kawasaki SXR Hull, lightened top deck
TBM Front Tubbies
Rear Sponsons
Skat-Trak Grate
Craftsman’s Rideplate
Bullet Carbon Hood
Jet-Trim Rails Caps & Mats Kit, with Centre Hump
Steering Assembly
RRP Pole
Jet-Trim Chin Pad
4’ Bars
ODI Grips
UMI Throttle & Trim Levers
Estimated Power: 185hp+
Top Speed: 68mph+
Article : Brad Clarke & NZ Jetski
Photos : Brade Clarke & Nick Mantell
