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The St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix roars into St. Petersburg this weekend

Alastair Mac
2 days ago
3 min read

The IHRA Offshore Series St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix, presented by Monster Energy, starts the new season inSt. Petersburg, Florida on March 27–29.

The St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix roars into St. Petersburg

Attention race fans! The 6th Annual Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix, presented by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, brings high-speed offshore powerboat racing and the IHRA Professional Watercraft Series to the downtown waterfront and Pier District of St. Petersburg, March 27–29.

This action-packed weekend marks the opening race of the IHRA Offshore Series National Championship, featuring some of the fastest offshore powerboats in the world competing on Tampa Bay.

Also featured is the IHRA Professional Watercraft Series, where elite personal watercraft racers battle in tight, technical competition just off the downtown waterfront.

Friday Night Pit Party

Race weekend begins Friday evening with a free, family-friendly Pit Party at Albert Whitted Park from 6–8 PM. Fans can see the offshore powerboats and personal watercraft up close, meet drivers and riders, enjoy food trucks, browse vendors, and take in live music.

Race Weekend

On Saturday and Sunday, racing moves to the downtown waterfront as offshore powerboats and professional watercraft riders compete for the checkered flag and championship points near the St. Pete Pier.

Admission is free and open to the public, with viewing available along the St. Petersburg waterfront and Pier District.

VIP Viewing Experience at Pier Teaki

A limited number of VIP tickets are available at Pier Teaki, located at the end of the St. Pete Pier across from the Start/Finish Line.

VIP guests will enjoy premium race viewing, complimentary food, an open bar, and a live stream of the full race broadcast.

Join us for an unforgettable weekend of speed, excitement, and waterfront entertainment at the 6th Annual Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix.

For more info: https://ihra.com/events

The St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix truly puts the power in powerboat! The fastest Class One boats cut through the water at speeds reaching up to 160 mph. These boats exceed 40 feet in length and are powered by two 1,000-horsepower engines, featuring dual hulls.

The Class 1 boats are just one category among 10 classes, with an anticipated 50 boats of varying sizes and power levels competing in the St. Pete event. While most classes include boats ranging from 30 to 40 feet, the smallest class features boats that are 21 feet long.

The class typically boasting the most entries, Superstock, includes boats approximately 30 feet long, each with two 300-hp outboard motors.

All boats have a two-person crew — one member steers while the other manages the throttle. This setup tests the crews' ability to collaborate effectively to navigate the competition, wind, and waves while maintaining maximum speed.

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