SEA-DOO X-TEAM TUESDAY – October 25, 2011
James Bushell - 2011 Pro World Champion
BIO
NAME: James Bushell
SPORT: PWC Racing
AGE: 27 years old
PORT: Chambridge, UK
FAMILY: Single, empty nest
Q Scores are used to measure an athlete’s popularity level at any given moment. It is safe to say that in the world of personal watercraft no one’s Q Rating is as high right now as James Bushell’s. Bushell has had a tremendous year. The plan to turn the fit and model good-looking Brit into the new face of Sea-Doo watercraft performance category began last year when he won the hotly contested Pro Stock World Championship and finished third in the premier Pro Open class.
Seeing his talent and potential on the up rise, BRP brought Bushell over to the states to be the “talent” on the new Sea-Doo RXP-X and the imagery he created can be seen in all of the 2011 marketing images and videos promoting this new model. This was also his opportunity to get some early practice on the new RXP-X T3 hull. That planted the seed in what the Sea-Doo racing minds saw as a potentially stellar year for the talented racer. Bushell left that photo shoot in early spring to go on to win the UK and European Pro Stock and Pro GP Championships before heading back to the United States to compete for a World Championship aboard a secret weapon.
Bushell was teamed with Les Cooke of Australia – unarguably the most renowned Sea-Doo watercraft-racing tuner on the planet – on a special T3 hull equipped watercraft. With Bushell’s early seat time on the new hull and Cooke’s incredible power and handling set-up, confidence was high going into the IJSBA World Finals. True to Bushell’s low-key, down-to-earth demeanor, he seemed more at ease discussing how he was going to fill the demand for Sea-Doo boats at his UK based Sea-Doo dealership, 158 Performance, than talking about racing the days leading up to the Pro Finals. . .
What did come of the Pro weekend was the icing on the cake, the best-case scenarios, Bushell beating the best PWC racers in the world at their best, but it simply wasn’t enough. Capping off his professional year with the addition of two of the most prestigious PWC racing championships in the world and a PWC industry Q Score soaring to the moon!
Lets get to know James Bushell a bit better through his own words. . .
OnBoard – James, where did you grow up and how was your competitive spirit developed?
Bushell – I grew up in Chambridge of the United Kingdom.
OnBoard – What do you do away from the water to stay on the water? What’s your profession?
Bushell – When off the water I try to go to the Gym three-four times a week and I play Squash, mountain Bike a lot and ride Motocross. When not doing sports I am busy at the shop, 158 Performance, we are a BRP Sea-Doo dealer.
James is congratulated by father Steve after winning the Pro Open World Championship
OnBoard – James, How were you introduced to watersports?
Bushell – I was first introduced to water sports when my dad bought a Jet Ski X2 when I was four years old. When I was around six he bought me one because I would not let him have a go on it and it all evolved from there.
OnBoard – Since you began competing what are some of your accolades?
Bushell – I have won 20 British Titles and have been Britan’s #1 rider since 2006. I have also won six European titles and six World Titles including the two big ones this year.
OnBoard – James, Where is your favorite PWC race site?
Bushell – My favorite place to race is Lake Havasu (Arizona, USA) because I love the weather, the atmosphere and it is the PWC capital of the world!
Bushell on his Les Cooke tuned Sea-Doo watercraft
OnBoard – What is it about PWC racing that keeps you coming back?
Bushell – I just love racing. I love going down the start grabbing the holeshot at 80 mph; can’t beat that feeling! I also love developing new skis and getting ready for the races both mechanically and physically.
OnBoard – James, where is your favorite non-racing, riding location?
Bushell – My Favorite non-racing riding location is Dubai, I love riding there, and the waters are so good.
Bushell is the new face of Sea-Doo performance
OnBoard – How was your experience being part of the 2012 Sea-Doo Photo shoot and being the face of the RXP-X?
Bushell – Taking part in the Sea-Doo Photo Shoot was great, we had the best time. I was able to get a sneak peek at the new RXP-X and ride it a bit around buoys and in the chop. That helped me get an idea of how different the ride was and how much faster I could go on it. We were also able to meet some great people and it was a good experience that I hope I can have the opportunity to do again.
OnBoard – What are you racing right now and what are looking forward to?
Bushell – I will be racing the 2012 Sea-Doo RXP-X modified Turbo backed by Australia’s Sea-Doo Centre and tuned by Les Cooke and is AWESOME! I can’t wait for the 2012 season, as the new RXP-X will clean up as it did at the World Finals. Cheers!
BRP thanks James Bushell for his time and dedication to the pursuit of PWC racing glory aboard Sea-Doo. You can follow James on his Facebook page, Facebook/JamesBushell or at 158 Performance