40th Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival Sept. 13-15

August 21, 2024 | Sarasota

The 40th Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, presented by Visit Sarasota County, will take place September 13-15 and promises exhilarating powerboat racing off Lido Beach.

The weekend festivities will begin on Friday, September 13, with a Pit Party from 6-10 pm in the Van Wezel parking lot featuring Nashville country artist Andy Velo, vendors, food trucks, and plenty of powerboats on display for the general public to enjoy. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, over 50 race teams will compete for the checkered flag with Class 1 teams reaching speeds of up to 160 mph.

Race fans wanting a premium spot to watch the races can purchase tickets to an elevated VIP Viewing experience on Lido Beach, directly across from the Start/Finish Line. This year’s VIP viewing experience offers upgraded amenities for guests, a LIVE stream of all the racing action, expanded seating options, and enhanced dining and beverage selections with a cashless experience making purchases on the beach a breeze. Corporate hospitality tents will also be available.

New this year is a Class 1 Experience that will provide race fans with a true behind-the-scenes tour of the biggest and fastest powerboats on the water. It includes private access to parties, events, private tours, team meet & greet opportunities, and ultra-premium race viewing on both race days. Christy Masters, Hospitality Director shared, “We aim to create a memorable experience for race fans and attract more people to this thrilling sport.”

Last year the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix generated an estimated $5 Million in economic impact. Pete Harvey, Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota County, stated “We are excited to welcome the Annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix back on their new September dates. The Grand Prix draws enthusiastic crowds, capturing the attention of visitors and residents alike. It attracts a diverse range of attendees, which generates a sizable surge in tourism and spending.” Several reasons prompting the move away from the July 4th holiday included driving more business to local retailers, hotels, and restaurants during the off-season, reducing the strain on City and County resources, and reducing any threats to wildlife during peak bird and turtle nesting season.

Powerboat P1’s national and international television coverage, which includes Bally Sports regional sports networks, will showcase the Sarasota area to a worldwide audience of more than 230 million households. MAV TV will also provide live stream coverage of the Class 1 race on Sunday from 10-11 am on both Powerboat P1 and Class 1 YouTube pages. Net proceeds raised from this year’s event will benefit the P1 Marine Foundation, a non-profit that focuses on conservation by raising awareness of threats to our oceans, supporting research, and providing youth scholarships for students going into the field of marine conservation.

Sarasota is the fourth event in this year’s P1 Offshore series following races held in Cocoa Beach, FL, Lake of the Ozarks, MO and Sheboygan, WI. Additional races following Sarasota include St. Petersburg, FL (Oct. 18-20). For more information visit: P1offshore.com and Class1world.com