Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Returns for 37th Year
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.
The event, presented by Visit Sarasota County, will kick off on Friday July 1st 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 p.m. to 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 2nd with P1 AquaX personal watercraft racing at 8 a.m., followed by P1 Offshore powerboat testing from 10:30 a.m. to 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 to 4:30 p.m.
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 as well as 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.
“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, storied 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 both 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 are aiming 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 p.m. -10 p.m. Gulfstream Ave.
Saturday, July 2nd Time Location
P1 Pit Lounge 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Van Wezel (tent across from boat ramp)
P1 AquaX Race 1 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
P1 Offshore Testing 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
P1 AquaX Race 2 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
UIM Class 1 Pole Position 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
Sunday, July 3,Time/Location
P1 AquaX Race 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
VIP Hospitality 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lido Beach
P1 Village fan zone 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lido Beach parking lot
P1 Offshore Race 1 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
P1 Offshore Race 2 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
UIM Class 1 Race 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
P1 Offshore Race 3 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach)
P1 Offshore Race 4 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Racecourse (Lido Beach) Embargoed until Monday June 20th, 2022 at 10:00AM EST
Notes:
- This event has no affiliation with Suncoast Summerfest or Suncoast Charities for Children
- The P1 Offshore Sarasota Grand Prix is the second race of the P1 Offshore & Class 1 series
- Ten classes of racing, over 60 teams participating from around the world
- There will be 6 separate races on Sunday across AquaX, P1 Offshore, and Class 1
- Extreme sports legend, Travis Pastrana, will be driving the Huski Chocolate Class 1 boat
- Class 1 is the crowd favorite. It features the biggest, loudest, and fastest race boats in the world. All the boats in Class One run sealed Mercury Racing 1100 Competition engines and weigh 11,750 pounds.
Source: https://www.speedboat.com/sarasota-powerboat-grand-prix-returns-for-37th-year/
