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Everything you need to know about 2023 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix

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SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Boat racing will take over Lido Beach this weekend as the 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix kicks off.

APBA and UIM Class 1 Powerboats are heading to Sarasota for another round of the 2023 P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships, a news release explains.

This free event will reportedly attract more than 60 powerboat racing teams from Europe, Australia, Canada and the U.S.

“Sarasota is our biggest race event of the year and we’re delighted to be returning with Visit Sarasota County as our presenting partner,” P1 USA Championship Manager Michelle Petro said in a statement. “Sarasota is an idyllic venue with a rich, storied history of powerboat racing. We will be celebrating a special milestone on Saturday when we stage our 700th race since we began racing 20 years ago. 

"I’m keen for fellow Floridians and tourists to experience everything that the Grand Prix weekend has to offer.”

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Here are some things to keep in mind about the 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.

The event will take over the waters from July 1-2 with a weekend packed with high-performance racing.

Friday, June 30

• Offshore pits open: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Van Wezel & Bay
• Press credentials & VIP ticket pick up: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Bayfront Community Center
• Pit party and concert (open to the public): 6-10 p.m. at Van Wezel pits

Saturday, July 1

• Cranes and ramps open (launching): 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Van Wezel & Centennial Park
• Testing (only boats with an all-clear sticker will be able to test): 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Racecourse
• Race 1 – Bracket Class 700, 600, 500, 3C: 1-2 p.m. at Racecourse 
• Class 1 Qualifying Race: 2-2:45 p.m. at Racecourse
• Race 2 – Super Stock: 3-3:45 p.m. at Racecourse

Sunday, July 2

• Launching – cranes open (priority given to race class order): 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at  Van Wezel & Centennial Park
• VIP Hospitality: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lido Beach
• Race 3 - MOD-V, Bracket Class 400, 300, 200: 10-11 a.m. at Racecourse
• Race 4 – Super Cat: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Racecourse
• Race 5 – Class 1: 1-2 p.m. at Racecourse
• Race 6 – Factory Stock 450R: 2:30-3:30 p.m. at Racecourse
• Awards: 6-7:30 p.m. at Van Wezel pits 

VIP tickets

The public is welcome to watch the races from Lido Beach for free, but anyone interested in upgrading their viewing experience can buy VIP tickets online by clicking here .

"We are thrilled to welcome back the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for its 39th year in Sarasota County," Pete Harvey, director of sports for Visit Sarasota County, said in a statement. "As one of the county’s most anticipated annual events, the Powerboat Grand Prix draws crowds from both near and far, capturing the attention of visitors and residents alike. 

"Beyond the excitement of the event, it plays a vital role in driving a significant surge in tourism within the community during the summer months.” 

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The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Returns to Lido Beach on June 30

By Staff June 14, 2023

The 39th annual Powerboat Grand Prix returns June 30.

Image: Courtesy Photo

The countdown is on for the 38th annual P1 Offshore Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix . From June 30-July 2 at Lido Beach , residents and visitors can catch more than 60 powerboat racing teams from Europe, Australia, Canada and the U.S..

A pit party at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall will kick off the festivities at 6 p.m. on Friday evening, with live music from Andy Velo, a live remote radio broadcast, food trucks and local vendors. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the race teams and view the boats up close. The six-mile races will begin at Lido Beach at 1 p.m. on Saturday, with the qualifying session for the Class 1 powerboats at 2 p.m. On Sunday, the action will begin at 10 a.m. with the fleet of Class 1 boats on the water at 1 p.m. Races will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks in the U.S., as well as on global sports channels.

In response to the weekend's environmental impact on marine life—including nesting sea turtles —P1 CEO Azam Rangoonwala says that the organization "will also be actively involved with environmental initiatives," including  "joining forces" with Audubon Florida’s coastal bird stewardship program to highlight the colony of protected black skimmers that nest on Lido Key.

"We have developed a corporate environmental policy and implement effective programs as an integral part of our business strategy," Rangoonwala says. "On race weekends, we monitor marine animal activity in the race area with observers on boats, on the land and in a helicopter reporting any sightings such as dolphins, manatees and turtles. They have the authority to stop the racing if necessary.”  

“Sarasota is an idyllic venue with a rich, storied history of powerboat racing," says P1 USA Championship Manager Michelle Petro. "We will be celebrating a special milestone on the Saturday when we stage our 700th race since we began racing 20 years ago. I’m keen for fellow Floridians and tourists to experience everything the Grand Prix weekend has to offer.”  

For more information and to purchase tickets for access to the beachfront hospitality tent, visit p1offshore.com .

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What you need to know about Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix and July 4th fireworks

Sarasota police department outlines dos and donts for the boat races on sarasota bay.

The 38th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is Saturday and Sunday at Lido Beach in Sarasota.

Here is a guide to the weekend provided by the Sarasota Police Department. 

Road closures and parking

• Closed from 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 29, until 10 p.m. Sunday, July 2.
• P-1 Racing Pit Party 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 30 
• The Pit Party will take place in the dry pit area in the Van Wezel parking lot.

NOTE: Due to limited parking spaces, carpooling is highly encouraged. Illegally parked vehicles are subject to ticketing. Vehicles blocking private driveways are subject to towing. Anticipate long delays from the beach area after the races. When leaving the beach viewing area, expect an exit time of more than one hour.

Vehicles not removed by the posted time will be towed at the owner’s expense. For information on towed vehicles, please call Upman’s Towing at (941) 365-7084. 

Centennial Park / Boat Ramp Closures 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 29 to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 2.

This area will be the staging area for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. There will be no boat ramp access during this time. A suggested alternative boat ramp includes Ken Thompson Park on City Island and various boat ramps in Manatee County and southern Sarasota County.

New Pass Closure

On the water, New Pass will be closed Saturday, July 1 and Sunday, July 2 during the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. The pass will be closed west of the New Pass bridge. Boaters will still be able to access the cove. 

Plan ahead when travelling 

AAA Tow To Go: AAA Tow to Go Program will be available to ensure those celebrating the holiday get home safely. The free, confidential, local ride is within a 10-mile radius of a safe location. This is offered beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, June 30 until 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 5. Call 1-855-TOW-2-GO (1-855-286-9246) or visit https://member.acg.aaa.com/fl/driving-safety/tow-to-go.html It is never OK to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get home safely.

Lido Beach holiday hours

The Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires that all beach furniture and equipment be removed from the beach nightly, until sunrise the following morning. According to amended Sarasota City Code Sec. 22-4, Lido Key public beaches will be closed to beachgoers from 11 p.m. until sunrise. This means Lido Key beach will be closed to all beachgoers, race spectators, and beach equipment until sunrise, which is approximately 6:30 a.m., during events. The Sarasota Police Department will enforce closure times to protect the safety of all beachgoers, including the marine turtle kind. To protect the environment, spectators are asked to stay off dunes along Lido Beach. 

Dogs are not allowed on Lido Beach.

Beach Equipment & Marine Turtle Protection In addition to expanded marine, foot and vehicle patrols, the Sarasota Police Department will be protecting public safety during events by posting signs prohibiting beachgoers from storing and leaving unattended personal property on Lido Beach, according to Sarasota City Code Sec. 21-44 . This is for protecting all beachgoers and their belongings to help ensure a safe and orderly race and beach-going experience. Beach furniture and other beach equipment, toys, or trash, left on the beach overnight during marine turtle nesting season can pose a serious entanglement hazard and obstacle for marine turtles and their hatchlings. 

The Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires any “temporary structures, including but not limited to beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas, which have the potential for entrapment of marine turtles and which may interfere with the use of the natural beach environment for nesting habitat, be removed from the beach nightly, from sunset to sunrise.” Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota County Parks Department, and P1 Offshore organizers are partnering to protect endangered marine turtles and ask for the public’s help in making this a safe event for all.

Wildlife Protection The Sarasota Police Department is conducting enhanced enforcement measures to ensure the conservation and protection of several threatened species of native wildlife of Lido Key, efforts complemented by the work of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. Marine Turtles, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and Snowy Plovers all share Lido Beach and are protected under state and federal law. Beachgoers should be aware of posted signage and fencing and stay away from marine turtle nests and seabird nesting zones. It is important not to enter any posted areas and to avoid any behaviors that may disturb the wildlife. 

Disturbances can cause birds to leave their eggs and chicks unattended, making them vulnerable to predators and overheating. Sarasota Police officers will collaborate with Audubon and Mote Marine volunteers to patrol nesting locations to protect the beautiful Florida wildlife on Lido Key. Anyone who observes any stranded, sick, or injured marine turtles or mammals can contact Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response program in Sarasota and Manatee counties, at (888) 345-2335.

Fireworks on Tuesday

Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular will be 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Sarasota Bayfront Park, 1 Marina Plaza, Sarasota.

Tuesday, July 4 – Road Closures/Limited Parking for Fireworks at Bayfront

• 7 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.: Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41) will be closed from Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue for fireworks.
• Parking Lot at Bayfront Park/ Island Park will be closed when the parking lot has reached maximum capacity. No parking is permitted on the grassy area on the south end of Bayfront Park.
• Parking will not be allowed in the median on John Ringling Boulevard. Vehicles will not be allowed to park there. Drivers should observe “No Parking” signs.

NOTE: Vehicle traffic leaving the Bayfront/Downtown area following the fireworks Tuesday, July 4 will be subject to specific restricted traffic control measures as part of a comprehensive exit plan. Expect long traffic delays of up to one hour when exiting the event.

Note from the Sarasota Police Department

If you SEE something, SAY something. Report any suspicious activity or behavior to law enforcement immediately.

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38th Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Friday, June 30, 2023 - Saturday, July 1, 2023

https://p1offshore.com/Race-info/Sarasota/2023/86693

Kicks off on Friday,  June 30  with the traditional downtown block party giving fans the opportunity to meet the teams and see the boats up-close on Gulfstream Avenue from 6-10 p.m. Attendees will enjoy live music and drinks, and can interact with the drivers in front of their race boats.

Racing will begin at Lido Beach on Saturday,  July 1  with P1 AquaX personal watercraft racing at 8 a.m, followed by P1 Offshore powerboat testing from 10:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m. P1 AquaX will stage its second race before the UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship teams compete for Pole position from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Sunday,  July 2  will feature a full day of racing with P1 AquaX, P1 Offshore and the high-speed Class 1 boats all in action. There will be a new P1 Village fan zone in the Lido Beach parking lot on Sunday, complete with vendors including food trucks, a beer garden, merchandise, fun activities, and live music. Lido Beach will also feature P1’s VIP hospitality suite, offering a catered lunch, open bar, lounge seating, and televisions to enhance the race viewing experience.

The P1 Offshore Sarasota Grand Prix presented by Visit Sarasota County will be televised globally as well as in the U.S. on CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks.

Visit website for additional information.

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People & Business

Sarasota set to welcome back the powerboat grand prix.

June 14, 2023 – Sarasota

The countdown is underway to the 39 th annual P1 Offshore Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix on the weekend of June 30-July 2 when residents and visitors can enjoy world class marine motorsport action along Lido Beach. Presented by Visit Sarasota County and again produced by Powerboat P1, the free to watch event will attract more than sixty powerboat racing teams from Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.

The event will kick off at 6.00pm on Friday evening with a pit party featuring live music from Andy Velo, live remote radio broadcast, food trucks and local vendors. There will also be the opportunity to meet the race teams and view the boats up-close. Racing on the 6-mile course at Lido Beach will begin at 1.00pm on Saturday, with the qualifying session for the exhilarating Class 1 powerboats at 2.00pm, and on Sunday the action will get underway at 10.00am with the fleet of Class 1 boats on the water at 1.00pm. VIP hospitality tickets offering superb viewing from the beach front hospitality tent on both race days are available from the P1 Offshore website ( www.p1offshore.com ).

Pete Harvey, Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota County said: “We are thrilled to welcome back the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for its 39th year in Sarasota County,” said Pete Harvey, Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota County. “As one of the county’s most anticipated annual events, the Powerboat Grand Prix draws enthusiastic crowds from both near and far, capturing the attention of visitors and residents alike. Beyond the thrill and excitement of the event, it plays a vital role in driving economic growth in our region by attracting a diverse range of attendees, which generates a significant surge in tourism and spending within the community.”

Powerboat P1 CEO, Azam Rangoonwala commented: “Our aim is to deliver outstanding race action and entertainment. We are very much aware that sports tourism plays a major role in the local economy and in addition to attracting visitors to the city we will help to raise the profile of the Sarasota region through our television broadcast deals. These include CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks in the United States and global coverage on leading sports channels. P1 will also be actively involved with environmental initiatives that will include joining forces with Audubon Florida’s coastal bird stewardship program to highlight the colony of protected black skimmers that nest on Lido Key. We have developed a corporate environmental policy and implement effective programs as an integral part of our business strategy. Over race weekends, we monitor marine animal activity in the race area with observers on boats, on the land and in a helicopter reporting any sightings such as dolphins, manatees and turtles, and they have the authority to stop the racing if necessary.”  

“Sarasota is our biggest race event of the year and we’re delighted to be returning with Visit Sarasota County as our presenting partner,” added P1 USA Championship Manager, Michelle Petro. “Sarasota is an idyllic venue with a rich, storied history of powerboat racing. We will be celebrating a special milestone on the Saturday when we stage our 700 th race since we began racing twenty years ago. I’m keen for fellow Floridians and tourists to experience everything that the Grand Prix weekend has to offer.”  

Sarasota is the second longest-running powerboat grand prix in the United States and for decades the racing has been a unique, prestigious summer event that brings significant value to the community. It generates millions of dollars in economic impact every year with up to 16,000 room nights, and the national and international television coverage showcases the city’s many attractions to an audience of around 230 million homes.

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February 1, 2023

Powerboat P1 has announced the UIM Class 1 World Championship race calendar for the 2023 season, which sees the series heading to Wisconsin for the first time and returning to favorite locations in Florida and Indiana. A fleet of eight Class 1 boats is expected to compete in the six-venue championship from May through to September.

In October 2020, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) assigned to Powerboat P1 the international rights to Class 1 racing in an exclusive ten-year agreement that includes organizational and promotion rights to the world championship. However, with the pandemic seriously impacting the 2021 season by preventing overseas teams from traveling to the United States, it wasn’t until this year that P1 was able to action its plans to attract more race teams and grow the series through social media and building the worldwide television audience.

Racing will kick off at Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Atlantic Coast in late May, before moving to the Gulf Coast at the end of June when the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will celebrate its 38th anniversary. In August the series will head north to Indiana for the Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix, and a new event in the Wisconsin city of Sheboygan on the western shore of Lake Michigan will host the Mercury Racing MidWest Challenge. Featuring the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing including Class 1, the three-day festival is expected to attract more than thirty teams to race along the Sheboygan waterfront. In early September the Class 1 fleet will be back on the Gulf Coast in St. Petersburg, and P1 CEO Azam Rangoonwala is in advanced discussions to stage a season finale in Miami. “We raced in this iconic city in 2018 and returning this year with the Class 1 boats would create an outstanding climax to the 2023 championship,” Rangoonwala said.                

“As we look ahead to the 2023 season, I can confirm that both the M CON Racing Team and Sudrheim Offshore Racing will be joining the series to give us an international field of eight boats with teams representing Australia, Sweden, Norway and, of course, the United States,” said Rangoonwala. “The M CON team will compete in a fully branded Monster Energy boat. This new canopied Skater 438 catamaran is the first purpose-built Class 1 boat for more than a decade. With Sudrheim Racing flying the flag for Norway next year, we can look forward to another Scandinavian team battling for the world title.”

This season’s championship will build towards an international race calendar in 2024 with host venues in Scandinavia and the Middle East being added to the schedule. In five years’ time, the key goal in P1’s development plan is to have twelve Class 1 teams racing at ten international venues. “Our live streaming this season will be significantly enhanced by the introduction of a new timing system which will show boat positions, distances between boats, speeds and lap times as live graphics,” explained Rangoonwala. “We’re on an exciting journey and our mantra is to take UIM Class 1 back to the pinnacle of offshore racing."

UIM Class 1 World Championship – 2023 Race Calendar

Thunder on Cocoa Beach : May 18-21 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix : June 30 – July 2 Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix : Aug. 4-6* Sheboygan - Mercury Racing MidWest Challenge : Aug. 11-13 St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix : Sept. 1-3 Miami Powerboat Grand Prix*

*To be confirmed

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Sarasota Offshore Boat Races: Thrilling High-Speed Action on the Water

The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is a world-class offshore boat racing event that has been taking place in Sarasota, Florida, for nearly four decades. Racers from around the globe gather to compete in this exhilarating event, making it a must-see spectacle for offshore boat racing enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike. The 2023 edition of the race is set to take place from June 30th to July 2nd, featuring both APBA and UIM Class 1 Powerboats.

First held in 1984 as the Suncoast Offshore Racing Grand Prix, this annual event has evolved into a highly anticipated race on the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Offshore National Championship Series calendar. With around 90 competitors expected each year, spectators can experience two days of intense marine motorsport action, showcasing the skill and power of these high-speed vessels.

The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is not only an opportunity to witness exhilarating offshore boat races but also serves as a platform to promote local tourism and economic growth. As race weekend approaches, visitors and locals alike gather to celebrate the thrilling event, making it an essential part of Sarasota's rich marine culture.

History of Sarasota Offshore Boat Races

The inaugural Sarasota Boat Races, initially known as the Suncoast Offshore Racing Grand Prix, took place in 1984. Over the years, this annual event has drawn the attention of thrill-seekers and offshore boat racing enthusiasts from all over the country, eventually earning the title of Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix  ("The Sarasota Boat Races - Offshore Racing at its finest.") .

The 2023 race will mark the 38th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, with APBA and UIM Class 1 Powerboats participating from June 30th to July 2nd. It is a part of the P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships and is expected to attract around 90 competitors for two days of world-class marine motorsport action  ("Sarasota, FL - P1 Offshore - gassProductions") .

Race day festivities usually begin with Aqua X personal watercraft races, followed by a series of full-size offshore powerboat races spread throughout the day. Races feature various classes, such as Bracket 500, 600, and 700. For more than three decades now, the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix has been held in the waters off of Sarasota, Florida  ("Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix (Suncoast Offshore) - Sarasota, Florida") .

Race Course and Format

The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix takes place annually, featuring high-speed offshore boat races that attract numerous enthusiasts  every year . The racing event lasts for several days and involves numerous categories, featuring both P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships.

With over  60 teams participating  from around the world, the event consists of six separate races across various classes, including AquaX, P1 Offshore, and Class 1 Extreme. The race takes place along the shoreline in Lido Beach, offering spectators excellent viewing opportunities.

Here are some key highlights of the race course format:

• All six different races are held during the course of one day, with each race featuring a different competition class.
• The shoreline at Lido Beach allows for easy spectator access and provides optimum viewing locations.
• Competitors must follow a specific course marked by buoys placed strategically in the water, ensuring a challenging and exciting race experience.

Racers and fans alike can expect world-class marine motorsport action during the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, making it a must-see event for anyone interested in offshore boat racing.

Teams and Competitors

The 2023 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is expected to host around 90 competitors, with powerful APBA and UIM Class 1 powerboats showcasing thrilling marine motorsport action. The event will be part of the P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships, attracting world-class teams and competitors from across the globe.

Among the diverse lineup, spectators will witness powerful boats designed for high-speed racing, with some vessels capable of reaching speeds up to 160 miles per hour. As the teams compete in various race classes, their expertly engineered powerboats will zoom across the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, navigating its challenging and competitive waters.

The participating teams represent various nations, backgrounds, and expertise levels, making the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix an inclusive and international event. As the anticipation builds, these expertly skilled teams will prepare for two exhilarating days of nonstop marine motorsport action. Competing in both close quarter and long-distance races, they will demonstrate their mastery over these powerful machines throughout the course of the event.

With the latest advancements in marine and racing technology at their disposal, these teams and competitors are eager to make their mark in the 38th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix [source] . This prestigious event showcases the best of the best, as they put their skills, teamwork, and engineering prowess to the test in the pursuit of victory.

Significance to Sarasota Community

The Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is more than just an exciting event for offshore racing enthusiasts; it plays a significant role in the Sarasota community. Held annually during the weekend of July 1-3, the event generates substantial economic impact for the city  Visit Sarasota .

Attracting thousands of spectators, the races draw large crowds, providing local businesses with increased revenue opportunities. Hotels, restaurants, and retailers benefit from the influx of visitors coming to enjoy the high-speed marine motorsport action.

Moreover, the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix serves as an opportunity to showcase the city's beautiful coastline and establish Sarasota as a premier destination for marine-related events. The races take place along the picturesque Lido Beach, allowing participants and visitors to experience the natural beauty and unique environment that Sarasota has to offer  Escape to Sarasota .

In addition to its economic benefits, the event is also dedicated to charitable causes. Since its inception, the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix has been supporting various non-profit organizations, thereby giving back to the community and enhancing the quality of life for many in the area.

Overall, the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix is a highly anticipated event on the offshore racing calendar that brings excitement, tourism, and economic growth to the city while showcasing its natural assets and commitment to charitable causes.

Future Events and Dates

The Sarasota Offshore Boat Races are a highlight of the annual Suncoast Summer Festival. In 2023, the P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships will take place from June 30th to July 2nd, featuring APBA and UIM Class 1 Powerboats  source .

These races will be part of the 38th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, with approximately 90 competitors participating in two days of action-packed marine motorsport events. Spectators can enjoy thrilling races off the coast of Lido Key during the first weekend of July  source .

Here are important dates for the 2023 Sarasota Offshore Boat Races:

• June 30th: Start of P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships
• July 1st: Day 2 of the P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships
• July 2nd: Final day of the P1 Offshore and AquaX Championships

The Suncoast Summer Festival starts on June 24th and continues until July 14th, providing ample opportunities for attendees to enjoy various other events and activities in addition to the boat races  source .

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Sarasota Set To Welcome Back The Powerboat Grand Prix

The countdown is underway to the 39 th annual P1 Offshore Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix on the weekend of June 30-July 2 when residents and visitors can enjoy world class marine motorsport action along Lido Beach. Presented by Visit Sarasota County and again produced by Powerboat P1, the free to watch event will attract more than sixty powerboat racing teams from Europe, Australia, Canada and the United States.

The event will kick off at 6.00pm on Friday evening with a pit party featuring live music from Andy Velo, live remote radio broadcast, food trucks and local vendors. There will also be the opportunity to meet the race teams and view the boats up close. Racing on the 6-mile course at Lido Beach will begin at 1.00pm on Saturday, with the qualifying session for the exhilarating Class 1 powerboats at 2.00pm, and on Sunday the action will get underway at 10.00am with the fleet of Class 1 boats on the water at 1.00pm. VIP hospitality tickets offering superb viewing from the beach front hospitality tent on both race days are available from the P1 Offshore website .

• 39 th annual event to feature two days of world class powerboat racing along Lido Beach
• More than sixty boats expected to compete as Powerboat P1 celebrates staging its 700 th race.
• Historic event boosts the local economy and TV coverage raises the profile of the city.  

Pete Harvey, Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota County said: “We are thrilled to welcome back the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for its 39th year in Sarasota County,” said Pete Harvey, Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota County. “As one of the county’s most anticipated annual events, the Powerboat Grand Prix draws enthusiastic crowds from both near and far, capturing the attention of visitors and residents alike. Beyond the thrill and excitement of the event, it plays a vital role in driving economic growth in our region by attracting a diverse range of attendees, which generates a significant surge in tourism and spending within the community.”

Powerboat P1 CEO, Azam Rangoonwala commented: “Our aim is to deliver outstanding race action and entertainment. We are very much aware that sports tourism plays a major role in the local economy and in addition to attracting visitors to the city we will help to raise the profile of the Sarasota region through our television broadcast deals. These include CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks in the United States and global coverage on leading sports channels. P1 will also be actively involved with environmental initiatives that will include joining forces with Audubon Florida’s coastal bird stewardship program to highlight the colony of protected black skimmers that nest on Lido Key. We have developed a corporate environmental policy and implement effective programs as an integral part of our business strategy. Over race weekends, we monitor marine animal activity in the race area with observers on boats, on the land and in a helicopter reporting any sightings such as dolphins, manatees and turtles, and they have the authority to stop the racing if necessary.”  

“Sarasota is our biggest race event of the year and we’re delighted to be returning with Visit Sarasota County as our presenting partner,” added P1 USA Championship Manager, Michelle Petro. “Sarasota is an idyllic venue with a rich, storied history of powerboat racing. We will be celebrating a special milestone on the Saturday when we stage our 700 th race since we began racing twenty years ago. I’m keen for fellow Floridians and tourists to experience everything that the Grand Prix weekend has to offer.”  

Sarasota is the second longest-running powerboat grand prix in the United States and for decades the racing has been a unique, prestigious summer event that brings significant value to the community. It generates millions of dollars in economic impact every year with up to 16,000 room nights, and the national and international television coverage showcases the city’s many attractions to an audience of around 230 million homes.

Photos from Sarasota Powerboat Gran Prix

Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sport�s governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.

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• Address: 2320 Clark Street, Suite A1 Apopka, FL 32703 United States
• Phone: +1 407 985 1938
• Email: [email protected]

Cocoa Beach

Fri 17 - Sun 19, May

Lake of the Ozarks

Thu 30, May - Sat 01, Jun

Fri 09 - Sun 11, Aug

Fri 13 - Sun 15, Sep

St. Petersburg

Fri 18 - Sun 20, Oct

222 Offshore in action during 2022

Preparing for racing in St. Petersburg 2022

Wed feb 01 2023, powerboat p1 unveils 2023 uim class 1 race calendar.

• 6-venue World Championship in the United States will build towards an international series in 2024
• Fleet of 8 Class 1 boats expected to compete in this season’s championship
• New event in the City of Sheboygan on Lake Michigan with season finale in Miami

As we look ahead to the 2023 season, I can confirm that both the M CON Racing Team and Sudrheim Offshore Racing will be joining the series to give us an international field of eight boats with teams representing Australia, Sweden, Norway and, of course, the United States. The M CON team will compete in a fully branded Monster Energy boat. This new canopied Skater 438 catamaran is the first purpose-built Class 1 boat for more than a decade. With Sudrheim Racing flying the flag for Norway next year, we can look forward to another Scandinavian team battling for the world title. Azam Rangoonwala Powerboat P1, CEO

Azam Rangoonwala, Powerboat P1CEO

UIM Class 1 World Championship – 2023 Race Calendar

• Thunder on Cocoa Beach : 18-21 May
• Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix : June 30 – 2 July
• Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix : 4-6 August TBC
• Sheboygan - Mercury Racing MidWest Challenge : 11-13 August
• St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix : 1-3 September
• Miami Powerboat Grand Prix : TBC

Photo Credits

UIM Class 1 Fleet in race Action: Kevin Sabitus 222 Offshore in race action 2022: Kevin Sabitus Preparing for racing in St. Petersburg 2022: Kevin Sabitus Azam Rangoonwala: PowerboatP1

2023 Race Calendar

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix

*Schedule Subject to Change

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Please contact Powerboat P1 pertaining to questions in reference

to the Schedule of Events or Racer Packet

• APBA Offshore Championship
• Asia Powerboat Championship
• Australian Offshore
• Bermuda Offshore
• British Offshore Racing
• P1 Offshore
• P1 Superstock
• P1 Superstock US
• Race World Offshore
• Raid Pavia Venezia
• Super Boat International
• UIM Awards Giving Gala
• UIM Class 1
• UIM Marathon
• UIM Pleasure Navigation
• UIM V2 World Powerboat Championship
• UIM XCAT Racing
• UK ThunderCat Racing

• Australian V8 Superboat Championships
• Circuit Powerboat Association
• E1 World Electric Powerboat Series
• F1 Powerboat Championship Series.
• Powerboat GP
• UAE F4 Championship
• UIM OSY400 European Championship
• UIM World Circuit Endurance
• Unlimited Hydroplane Racing
• F1H2O Nations Cup

• P1 AquaX Bahamas World Championship
• UAE Aquabike Championship
• UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship

Powerboat Racing World

Frode Sundsdal

What is prw.

It’s a powerboat racing website that has covered circuit racing, offshore racing and PWC since 2016. Maintained by The Race Factory based in Norway who have specialists in event planning and promotion, social media, graphic design, and photography. We are currently working on our vision and believe that we can and will make a different in powerboating. We will dedicate our time to produce accurate factual stories and to promote the sport to a wider global audience.

6-venue World Championship in the United States will build towards an international series in 2024.

Fleet of 8 class 1 boats expected to compete in this season’s championship., new event in the city of sheboygan on lake michigan with season finale in miami..

Powerboat P1 has today announced the UIM Class 1 World Championship race calendar for the 2023 season, which sees the series heading to Wisconsin for the first time and returning to favourite locations in Florida and Indiana. A fleet of eight Class 1 boats is expected to compete in the six-venue championship from May through to September.

In October 2020, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) assigned to Powerboat P1 the international rights to Class 1 racing in an exclusive ten-year agreement that includes organisational and promotion rights to the world championship. However, with the pandemic seriously impacting the 2021 season by preventing overseas teams from traveling to the United States, it wasn’t until this year that P1 was able to action its plans to attract more race teams and grow the series through social media and building the worldwide television audience.

Racing will kick off at Cocoa Beach on Florida’s Atlantic Coast in late May, before moving to the Gulf Coast at the end of June when the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will celebrate its 38 th  anniversary. In August the series will head north to Indiana for the Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix, and a new event in the Wisconsin city of Sheboygan on the western shore of Lake Michigan will host the Mercury Racing MidWest Challenge.

Featuring the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing including Class 1, the three-day festival is expected to attract more than thirty teams to race along the Sheboygan waterfront. In early September the Class 1 fleet will be back on the Gulf Coast in St. Petersburg, and P1 CEO Azam Rangoonwala is in advanced discussions to stage a season finale in Miami. “We raced in this iconic city in 2018 and returning this year with the Class 1 boats would create an outstanding climax to the 2023 championship,” said Rangoonwala.

“As we look ahead to the 2023 season, I can confirm that both the M CON Racing Team and Sudrheim Offshore Racing will be joining the series to give us an international field of eight boats with teams representing Australia, Sweden, Norway and, of course, the United States,” said P1 CEO Azam Rangoonwala. “The M CON team will compete in a fully branded Monster Energy boat. This new canopied Skater 438 catamaran is the first purpose-built Class 1 boat for more than a decade. With Sudrheim Racing flying the flag for Norway next year, we can look forward to another Scandinavian team battling for the world title.”

This season’s championship will build towards an international race calendar in 2024 with host venues in Scandinavia and the Middle East being added to the schedule. In five years’ time, the key goal in P1’s development plan is to have twelve Class 1 teams racing at ten international venues. “Our live streaming this season will be significantly enhanced by the introduction of a new timing system which will show boat positions, distances between boats, speeds and lap times as live graphics,” explained Rangoonwala.

“We’re on an exciting journey and our mantra is to take UIM Class 1 back to the pinnacle of offshore racing,”

added Rangoonwala.

UIM Class 1 World Championship – 2023 Race Calendar:

18-21: MayThunder: on Cocoa Beach.

June 30 – 2 July: Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.

4-6 August: Michigan City Great Lakes Grand Prix. tbc

11-13 August: Sheboygan – Mercury Racing MidWest Challenge.

1-3 September: St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix.

TBC: Miami Powerboat Grand Prix : tbc

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Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Day One: Super Stock And Bracket Class Winners

The oldest saying in offshore powerboat racing is “to finish first, first you have to finish,” and that couldn’t have proven truer as the favorites in Super Stock and Bracket 500 succumbed well before the checkered flag waved on the first day of action at the 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix in Sarasota, Fla. Produced by Powerboat P1 , the Grand Prix is the third race of the  American Power Boat Association  Offshore National Championship Series and the second race of the  Union Internationale Motonautique  Class 1 World Championship Series.

The Super Stock fleet at the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix included 11 catamarans. Photos by Pete Boden/ Shoot 2 Thrill Pix

In Saturday’s final race, the 11 boats in the Super Stock class took to the Gulf of Mexico. Winds were picking up and there were white caps, but conditions were fast and racy. As they did in the first two races of the season, the 32-foot Victory catamaran, Jackhammer , with owner/driver Reese Langheim and throttleman Julian Maldonado bolted to the lead. Giving chase was a pack of boats including the 32-foot MTI cat, CMR, with driver/owner Sean Conner and John Tomlinson subbing for Shaun Torrente on throttles. Throttleman Rusty Williams and driver Myrick Coil in the 32-foot Doug Wright, Performance Boat Center /FASS Diesel Fuel Systems, were in the mix as were owner/driver Daren Kittredge and throttleman Grant Bruggemann in the 32-foot Doug Wright, Northwing Offshore.

A total of 64 teams descended on the city on the west coast of Florida that has become one of the favorite sites in offshore powerboat racing. A checkered flag from Sarasota is rivaled only by one from the world championships in Key West, Fla., in November. The weekend kicked off with a party on Friday evening where fans could meet the teams at the 10th Street ramp party followed by racing in the bracket 500, 600 and 700 classes and Super Stock boats, plus Class 1 pole position qualifying on Saturday.

The day started with calm conditions, but winds slowly built through the day and temperatures in the mid-90s added to the challenge.

It didn’t take long for the teams in the ultra-competitive Super Stock class to push the limits. The 32-foot Doug Wright, LPC, with owner/throttleman Loren Peters and driver Anthony Smith, started moving up through the fleet when it rolled on the outboard leg of the 6-mile course that had the racers navigating in a clockwise direction. Competition was halted after less than a lap. Peters and Smith were OK and the boat was hauled back to the pits.

The CMR team of Sean Conner and John Tomlinson ran a consistent race to earn the Super Stock-class checkered flag.

The carnage took its toll quickly. In that first lap, the 32-foot Doug Wright, Team Allen Lawn Care and Landscaping, appeared to have something torn off the stern and didn’t make the restart. Neither did the 32-foot Doug Wright, Team Bermuda.

After many Super Stock competitors voiced concerns about quick green flags in Cocoa Beach at the previous P1 Offshore race, the starters made sure the boats were grouped more fairly in Sarasota. When the green flag flew on the restart, Jackhammer jumped to the lead, with CMR, Performance Boat Center and the 32-foot Victory, Big East Construction, which is owned and driven by Cole Leibel and throttled by veteran Gary Ballough, giving chase in a tight pack.

It didn’t take long for attrition to rear its ugly head. Jackhammer had an engine go into guardian mode, which shuts down the 300-hp outboard to prevent more significant damage. “Nothing like stopping and going every 30 seconds,” Maldonado said. “We had a 14-second lead at the start and guardian started and never stopped.”

The team kept the boat on the same lap as the leaders and appeared to just be running for points.

CMR and Performance Boat Center battled for the lead, with each boat enjoying an advantage on different parts of the course.

“In head seas, they’d catch me, and in following seas, I’d catch them, and it went like that for a few laps,” said Tomlinson, who had raced with Coil in the Super Cat class previously and knew that he could enter a turn with his competitor/friend and not worry about any incidents or collisions.

Check out the slideshow above for more images from the Super Stock race.

Unfortunately, the battle to the finish didn’t materialize when Performance Boat Center pulled off with mechanical issues. Big East Construction moved into second and appeared to be in position for a much-needed podium finish until broken motor mounts forced Ballough to shut down one engine and limp around the course attempting to gain as many points as possible.

With CMR in the lead, Torrente, who qualified for the pole position at an F1H2O tunnel boat race on Saturday afternoon in France, watched on his cell phone while eating dinner with his family. Tomlinson and Conner took the checkered flag followed by Pete and A.J. Bogino in the 32-foot Doug Wright, CoCo’s Monkey, and Jackhammer, which kept running because the race isn’t over until the checkered flag waves.

“I’m pacing the streets of France as we walk back from dinner,” Torrente said in a message to speedonthewater.com from overseas. “It was an amazing race. Sean was turning the boat incredibly and Johnny was getting used to the boat and kept getting quicker and quicker. I’m so thankful for him sitting in for me.”

But as we always report on speedonthewater.com, all results are unofficial pending official inspections and video reviews. According to the APBA Offshore Commission chairman Rich Luhrs, four combined lane infractions at the start and post-accident restart that resulted in four yellow cards (Luhrs declined to name the penalized teams.) That, in turn, changed the official finishing order. Though CMR retained the checkered flag, Jackhammer moved into second place, followed by Big East Construction in thrid.

Almost serving as a harbinger of what was to come, the Class 1 boats took to the 6-mile course to see who would claim the coveted inside lane on Sunday afternoon. The boats ran a “get-comfortable-with-the-course” lap and then followed that with two timed laps. The fastest time would give a team the pole position on Sunday. First up was the team of throttleman Steve Curtis and driver Brit Lilly in the 47-foot Victory cat, Huski Ice Spritz.

In the end, owner/driver Darren Nicholson and throttleman Giovanni Carpitella in their own 47-foot Victory, 222 Offshore Australia , posted the fast number of the day—3:05:85. Tomlinson, who is pulling triple-duty this weekend, joined driver Travis Pastrana and clocked the third fastest time of the day in their 50-foot Victory, Pothole Heroes. The other three Class 1 entries had mechanical issues and didn’t complete a lap.

In the Bracket 500 class, throttleman Elijah Kingery and driver Eric Ullom ran a great race in their 29-foot Warlock, Bulletproof/Team Farnsworth.

Whetting Fans’ Appetites The offshore racing action kicked off at 1 p.m. when the Bracket 500, 600 and 700 classes took to the course. Bracket racing takes a different approach because each class has a set speed limit. If a team exceeds the speed limit, it “breaks out” and is penalized for doing so.

The Bracket 500 fleet had nine teams including two 30-foot Phantoms that racing fans would consider to be favorites. Owner/driver J.J. Turk and throttleman Micheal Stancombe were the defending national champions in TFR/XINSURANCE and when the race started, they had a strong challenge from throttleman Elijah Kingery and driver Eric Ullom in the 29-foot Warlock, Bulletproof/Team Farnsworth, and the father-son team of Rob and Vincent Winoski in their 30-foot Phantom, Bronx Phantom.

Bracket racing is about more than just making sure you don’t exceed your class’ listed speed. It’s about letting your competitors drive away from you when they are going faster in the heat of competition and run the risk of doing just that. That story didn’t pan out because TFR/XINSURANCE pulled off the course with a mechanical problem first, followed by Bronx Phantom.

“We kind of knew that Bronx Phantom broke out because we were at 74.9 mph and they pulled away from us so we backed down a bit to make sure we didn’t break,” Kingery said. “We let them go and then when we saw J.J. break, half a lap later, we could hear Bronx Phantom’s motor starting to break up.”

Enjoy more pictures from the Bracket-class competition in the slideshow above.

This may have resulted in a historical finish with two 29-foot Warlocks finishing first and second in an offshore powerboat race. Hammerheads/Fly SRQ with driver Dennis Austin and throttleman Don Jackson took second followed by YabbaDabbaDo with driver Larry James and throttleman J.D. Ivines in third.

The second start of the day featured a deck-to-deck battle in Bracket 600 between a couple of 26-foot Joker V-bottoms for all five laps on the 6-mile course. George Ivey drove his new boat while Damon Marotta throttled Ivey Racing against a pair of 22-year-olds who have a big future in the sport, throttleman Ryan Stahlman and driver Reef Delanos in Freebird.

The two boats appeared to have a rope connecting their admiships cleats at the start. One took the lead and then the other but in the end Freebird continued its momentum after winning in Cocoa Beach.

“I’m definitely hooked,” said Stahlman, who started navigating in his father’s 41-foot Apache, Predator , last year. When asked what he learned from his race in Sarasota, the youngster said, “How to take corners when you have someone with you like that. You have to hold your lane.”

Finally, in the Bracket 700 class, Brian Guy, owner of the 21-foot Superboat, Jackhammer , gave a performance boat enthusiast the opportunity to check an item off his bucket list.

Instead of racing with his usual throttleman, Julian Maldonado, Guy ran with throttleman Francisco Duran, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, who is close with the Maldonado family.

Jackhammer owner and driver Brian Guy won the Bracket 700-class race with Puerto Rican Francisco Duran, who was racing in the United States for the first time, on the throttle.

“He never raced a boat in the states and he always wanted to do this,” Guy said.

Guy added that he broke a couple blades off his prop on the first lap but could still run about 56 to 57 mph in the class bracketed at a top speed of 60. The battle was behind him as a pair of 22-foot Velocitys powered by single Mercury Racing 300Rs fought for position. In the end, Dees Nuts/Meara Classic Cars took second followed by Statement Marine .

As if letting Duran check an item off his bucket list wasn’t enough, Guy’s five-year-old daughter, Kora, also was on hand to see dad win.

“She helps out and is a big supporter of mine,” Guy said.

That’s something attrition can never take away.

Spectators lined the beach in Sarasota to catch the racing action.

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Torrente Snags Last-Gasp Pole Position For Tomorrow’s Grand...

Sarasota powerboat grand prix essentials day no. 2: schedule....

P1 Offshore;

Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sport’s governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.

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• Phone: +1 407 985 1938
• Email: [email protected]

Cocoa Beach

Fri 17 - Sun 19, May

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Thu 30, May - 01, Jun

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Fri 13 - Sun 15, Sep

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Fri 18 - Sun 20, Oct

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Race Results

2023 results, p1 offshore %% teams.

Powerboat P1 is heading to Sarasota later than normal on September 13th - 15th for the next round of the 2024 APBA National and UIM World Championships. Around 60 competitors are expected for two days of world-class marine motorsport action.

It is the 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. The weekend of 14th - 15th will see high-performance powerboats racing along Lido Beach.

It is the 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. The event is moving to September this year and the weekend of Sep 13th - Sep 15th will see high-performance racing along Lido Beach.

Located on Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, Sarasota County provides the quintessential white-sand beach getaway, perfect for absorbing the noise, power and excitement of a double-bill of powerboat and personal watercraft racing.

Dubbed the "Home of the American Circus," Sarasota County served as the headquarters for the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus for 75 years, and fans can experience its special culture first-hand by following the circus trail or catching a performance by one of two local circus companies.

After the pounding Atlantic swell of Cocoa Beach, P1 Offshore now moves to the more tranquil, shallower waters of the Gulf of Mexico. However, if you are expecting a less exciting race, think again...

Sarasota is the second longest-running US powerboat race, after the Key West Championship. Compared to Cocoa Beach, Sarasota is a more technical course. Cocoa Beach is long and narrow, running up and down the beach, with two 180 degree turns. Sarasota has varying degrees of right turns and a leftward dog-leg on the backward stretch. Although the water at Sarasota looks calmer, there are often holes, or variations on the seabed, which create voids on the surface. These can cause unexpected flights or hits, so are difficult for drivers to anticipate.

The water will suit the Class 1 and Super Cat for top speeds. The light chop will be less likely to upset the bigger hulls and will be enough to keep traction high with the hull skimming the surface.

Super Stock has the most entries among the bigger boats and is one of the most competitive offshore classes for this reason.

Mod V teams will also be highly competitive. Sarasota will definitely be a driver's race for these boats if the water remains relatively calm. The varied turns in calm waters can cause "chine walking" with their V hulls. "OK, so what is chine walking?" Chine walking is caused when a high-performance V-Hull starts to lift out of the water. In certain circumstances, as speed increases, the actual part of the hull in contact with the water becomes reduced, and the boat starts to rock from one side to another as it tries to balance the remaining hull in contact with the water. This gives the drivers more work to do. Boat set-up and trim also play an important part.

Visit Sarasota Media Registration 2023 Entry List

The partner Hotel for the Sarasota Grand Prix 2023 is:

Aloft Sarasota

1401 Ringling Boulevard Sarasota, Florida 34236

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