XINSURANCE Clearwater ‘Nationals’ Schedule And More – Speed on the Water
The second event of the season produced by Race World Offshore and the final contest in the American Power Boat Association Offshore National Championship Series—the 14th annual Clearwater ‘Nationals’ presented by XINSURANCE—is on tap this weekend in Southwest Florida. But unlike the first Race World Offshore event this season and all Powerboat P1-produced contests in the 2023 APBA series, racing action will happen Sunday rather than being spread across both weekend days in Clearwater.
The Clearwater Nationals are the final event in the 2023 APBA Offshore National Championship Series. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
“We could have changed the Coast Guard permit to make Clearwater a two-day format, but we would have had to apply for that change six months ago,” explained Rodrick Cox of Race World Offshore. “We did a two-day racing event in Marathon and we’re definitely thinking about that for Clearwater in 2024. But this year we’re going to start early and run everything on Sunday.”
Racing action on Saturday was essential for the P1 Offshore events as they included Class 1 competition, which means pole-position qualifying a day ahead of racing as is standard operating procedure under Union Internationale Motonautique guidelines. But with the Class 1 series completed earlier this month in St. Petersburg, Fla., there were no constraints for the Clearwater event.
Here’s a quick look at Sunday’s race schedule:*
11 a.m.
Bracket 200, 300 and 400 (start No. 1)
Bracket 500, 600 and 700 (start No. 2)
12:30 p.m.
Mod V/Stock V
1:30 p.m.
450R Factory Stock (start No. 1)
V Extreme (start No. 2)
2:30 p.m.
Super Stock
3:30 p.m.
Super Cat
*Race times and fields are subject to change based on weather and other factors beyond the race producer’s control.
At present, 47 teams have registered for the event.
Key West radio personality/veteran offshore racing play-by-play man Todd Swofford and speedonthewater.com contributing editor Eric Colby will handle the livestream broadcast from Clearwater. The broadcast will be carried on the Race World Offshore Facebook page.
“It’s been a while since Marathon in May, so we’re eager to get going again,” said Cox. “And then in November, of course, we have the Key West Offshore World Championships to produce.”
Related stories
Clearwater ‘Nationals’ Registration Solid And Still Building
Effort Equals Results In St. Pete Grand Prix
Repeat Offenders At The St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix
St. Pete Grand Prix Preview: What To Watch And When To Watch It
St. Petersburg Grand Prix Defines The Heat Of Competition
Class 1 Teams Pumped For St. Pete Despite 222 Offshore Australia World Title Clinch
Midwest Challenge Day No. 2—’Good For The Sport’ And Beyond
Back On Top: Class Favorites Prevail In First Day Of Midwest Challenge
Great Lakes Grand Prix Day No. 2—Getting Defensive
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Finale—Winning The Battle Of Attrition
Cocoa Beach Wrap Up: The Last Lap Is The One That Matters
7 Mile Offshore Grand Prix Wrap Up: Wild Weather, Eight Laps And Five Crashes
.
