Skip to main content
You are viewing: The Suncoast Post > Events > Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Returns for 37th Year,  July 1-3  
Powerboat Grand Prix

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Returns for 37th Year,  July 1-3  

| Suncoast Post Staff |

Powerboat P1, the London-headquartered international marine motorsport promoter, has announced the historic Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix will return on the weekend of July 1-3. As one of Sarasota’s longest-running events, the grand prix generates millions of dollars in economic impact for the community annually. More than 60 race teams are expected to attend this year with teams and drivers from around the world, including Australia, Italy, Sweden, New Zealand, Cayman Islands, and Canada.

Powerboat Grand Prix
Racing

The event, presented by Visit Sarasota County, will kick off on Friday, July 1st, with the traditional downtown block party allowing fans to meet the teams and see the boats up-close on Gulfstream Avenue from 6:00–10:00 pm. 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 2nd, with P1 AquaX personal watercraft racing at 8:00 am, followed by P1 Offshore powerboat testing from 10:30 am-1:30 pm. 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 pm.

Sunday 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 and in the U.S. on CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks, showcasing the white sugary sands of Sarasota’s beaches and the vibrant downtown city life.

Offshore

“Sarasota is our biggest race of the year, and we’re thrilled to be returning with Visit Sarasota County as our presenting partner,” said Azam Rangoonwala, CEO of Powerboat P1. “Sarasota is an idyllic venue with a rich history of powerboat racing. We have a powerful platform through our international television broadcasting to showcase this beautiful city to the world, and we want to encourage everyone, local or tourists, to enjoy all that there is to experience here.”

 “For decades, the races have been a unique summer event that appeals to locals and visitors. We recognize and thank the Powerboat P1 team for the thorough planning alongside multiple Sarasota entities, ranging from environmental groups to law enforcement, to make this event safe and enjoyable for all,” said Virginia J. Haley, president of Visit Sarasota County.

“As a Sarasota native, I recognize the historic value this event brings to the community,” said Cole McGowan, Powerboat P1’s Director of Communications. “We value the heritage and prestige of this event and aim to add new experiences for fans. This is going to be a standout year for powerboat racing in Sarasota, with one of the largest fleets of race boats in recent years. I’m excited for fellow locals to experience everything that the Grand Prix weekend has to offer.”

Schedule of Events

Friday, July 1st           Time           Location

  • Downtown Block Party 6:00 pm-10:00 pm Gulfstream Ave.

Saturday, July 2nd       Time           Location

  • P1 Pit Lounge 10:00 am-5:00 pm Van Wezel (tent across from boat ramp)
  • P1 AquaX Race 1  8:30AM-10:00AM Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • P1 Offshore Testing 10:30 am-1:30 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • P1 AquaX Race 2 1:30 pm-3:30 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • UIM Class 1 Pole Position 3:30 pm-4:30 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)

Sunday, July 3rd         Time           Location

  • P1 AquaX Race 8:30 am-10:00 am Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • VIP Hospitality 9:00 am-5:00 pm Lido Beach
  • P1 Village fan zone 9:00 am-5:00 pm Lido Beach parking lot
  • P1 Offshore Race 1  10:00AM-11:00AM Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • P1 Offshore Race 2 11:15 am-12:30 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • UIM Class 1 Race 12:45 pm-2:00 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • P1 Offshore Race 3 2:15 pm-3:30 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)
  • P1 Offshore Race 4 3:30 pm-4:30 pm Racecourse (Lido Beach)

VIP Tickets: Click Here

About P1 Offshore

P1 Offshore is the flagship championship of preeminent marine motorsport promoter Powerboat P1 USA. P1 Offshore has been granted exclusive worldwide rights to the film and distribution of its offshore events for the next five years by the American Power Boat Association (APBA). Its race events combine high-speed, free-to-watch sport and family entertainment, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators and millions of television viewers worldwide, also playing a valuable role as an effective destination marketing tool. P1 Offshore delivers high-caliber events that generate significant levels of inward economic investment at host venues and the commercial platform created for sponsors, partners, and the wider marine industry. The key drivers are increased competitor numbers, a host of television broadcast deals around the world, and rising spectator numbers. P1 recognizes the ever-increasing importance of sports events in the travel and tourism industry, designing and activating its race events to enhance the profile of venues and driver visitor numbers and boost the regional economy. Creative marketing and strategic partnerships are essential ingredients in achieving these results. Powerboat P1, the parent company of P1 Offshore, was founded in 2002; it has staged more than 600 powerboat and personal watercraft races in 18 countries on four continents.

About Class 1

Class 1 is the premier class of offshore powerboat racing in the world and is considered one of the most spectacular marine motorsports. A Class 1 race boat has twin inboard 1100hp engines and can reach speeds in excess of 160mph. All boats are limited by a minimum weight of 11,750lbs. In October 2020, the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) assigned the international rights to stage Class 1 offshore powerboat racing to Powerboat P1. The agreement is for ten years and includes organizational and promotion rights to the UIM Class 1 World Championship. P1’s relationship with the UIM spans almost two decades, and its aim is to take Class 1 back to where it belongs at the pinnacle of offshore racing. The agreement gives P1 the opportunity to grow the Class 1 championship in the United States and, at the same time, develop plans to globalize the series over the coming years.

About AquaX

P1 AquaX is the fastest-growing watercraft race series in the world. It prides itself on attracting the best riders and the fastest off-the-shelf watercraft with speeds in excess of 80mph. Its rapid growth is owed to a simple, accessible yet challenging race format that appeals to today’s personal watercraft users.

About Visit Sarasota County Visit Sarasota County leads and supports the tourism industry in Sarasota County by providing the highest quality and most innovative marketing programs and promotions to ensure the continued growth of tourism and travel from visitors around the world. It is the mission of VSC is to make Sarasota County the must experience destination on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Sarasota County welcomes more than 2.7 million visitors annually. Within its 725 square miles, the county serves up a diverse menu of cultural and recreational activities and attractions, including award-winning dining, world-class fine arts and performing arts, professional and amateur sports, and the area’s circus heritage. To learn more, visit Visit Sarasota or engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Photos from https://p1offshore.com/

Skip to content