Brent B Jettribe Team Member's Adventure in Vietnam and Thailand.

It sounded like a drag strip across the street in front of the host hotel the Furama. The roar of the big open four stroke boats, the unmistakable high RPM scream of the two strokes skis and smaller runabouts, the smell of high octane fuel; this was the first hint that Team Jettribe USA and I had arrived in Pattya, Thailand for the 2012 TJSBA’s King’s Cup! I have to say I love the city of Pattaya!The beaches are picturesque, the hotels, restaurants and bars range from historic to just built, and the attitude of the locals is kind, friendly, honest and anything goes. When we arrivedMonday afternoonon the Jettribe Team bus, the first thing I noticed was all the skis, boats and shipping crates lining the side street that leads to the entrance of the Furama. All of it wassitting there,untouched, just like they had been shipped. In a place where a good weeks wage is $40 dollars US, I was amazedthat even my steel crate was still there, let alone my RXP-X race boat stuffed full of gear!

Even though everything got serious come race day, there are a couple days and nights with some free time, if you are not busy wrenching. One of my favorite things about watercraft racing is the location… Ihave to have some fun while I am there, and am convinced that one of the keys to that in Pattaya is renting a scooter! It is the best $30 I spent the entire week. There is nothing like a four man scooter gang of PWC racers weaving in and out of traffic along side the locals. It also doubled as transportation back and forth to the race site and around town exploring. The King’s Cup, and being there with Tony, Jettribe, all the Jettribe racers and crew and people from around the world is such a unique experience. The Opening Ceremony at the Furama Ballroom had a host of government officials representing Thailand and the city of Pattaya giving speeches. They rolled out the red carpet and presented the three coveted King’s Cups trophies to the audience of racers, crew, family and friends. This was followed by a traditional Thai war drum dance done by a handful of Thai performers. The night closed with a giant buffet of traditional Thai foodcourtesy of the Furama staff.

The following day we (Team Jettribe) went to the race site and took our spot under the Team USA tent that the TJSBA event staff provided for all the countries. The mood changed from festive to a competitive, and even though there were huge cash payouts on the line, there was acomradery amongst the race teams that I have not witnessed at any other event. The Thai people’s friendliness and attitudes, along with the TJSBA’s organization, shined through, adding to the uniqueness that is the King’s Cup. The grand prix style four moto system, the swell and chop in the bay, the seemingly forever long back straight followed by the coarse split, had it’s way of testing the racers, mechanics and machines like no other race I’ve attended. On top of all this, traveling with Tony and everyone associated with Jettribe was awesome. This was my first time in Asia, and he put me together with a great team of people, and Tony is a great host and tour guide. It was invaluable being there with everyone and having that combined experience, Team Jettribe support and a translator! I also took Tony up on the offer to travel to Vietnam for a week after the race. Seeing the history the United States and Vietnam share first hand is indescribable. Traveling with Vietnam natives and a War Veteran made it richer than anything I could have experienced on my own. Again, I can not say it enough, that the trip would not have been anything close to the trip it was without everyone from Jettribe I had the privilege to travel with.

Along with this being my first time in Asia, my first time at the King’s Cup World Cup Grand Prix, this was my first season of PWC racing. I have had a great year, and this trip to Thailand and Vietnam with Tony, my Jettribe teammates and all the crew was the highlight and an exclamation point on my2012 racing season! Instead of wanting to come back home to the states, take a few months off, and regroup for 2013, it has left me wanting more. So, back out on the water I go riding, impatiently waiting for spring. Brent Venderley Team Jettribe USA Clearwater, Florida