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.”
Here are some things to keep in mind about the 39th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix.
Dates
The event will take over the waters from July 1-2 with a weekend packed with high-performance racing.
Schedule
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.”