Sarasota Powerboat Races Not Returning In 2025

January 15, 2025 | Sarasota

Powerboat P1, race organizer for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix, recently released plans to launch an innovative Triple Crown race series in 2025 featuring venues in New Orleans, Sheboygan, and St. Petersburg; however, Sarasota was omitted.

After careful consideration and exploring numerous options, Powerboat P1 made the difficult decision not to organize the event in 2025 but to revisit opportunities in 2026.  This decision was influenced by budget concerns by the race organizer about producing a high-quality, safe race and uncertainties surrounding the ongoing construction of The Bay’s master plan, which impacted the Van Wezel parking lot and Centennial Park.

Thomas Covington, Commercial Director for Powerboat P1, shared, “We are incredibly grateful for the many years of support and partnership from Visit Sarasota, who has been instrumental in the event’s long-standing success as a Presenting Sponsor. Because of this support, Sarasota has become a premier destination in offshore racing, and we deeply value everything Visit Sarasota has contributed, making this an iconic event for the community and a highlight of the race season.”

Powerboat P1 remains optimistic about finding ways to bring the event back to the area, whether it’s identifying an alternate site during the construction period or securing additional sponsorship support; their goal is to ensure that any future Sarasota event maintains the high standards that race fans have come to expect. Covington added, “We feel scaling down the event would not do justice to the legacy Sarasota has built over the years.”

Powerboat racing began in Sarasota in 1986 and remains one of the world’s longest continuously running race sites, often called “The Indy 500 Of Powerboat Racing.”  Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota County, Pete Harvey, shared, “While it’s disappointing to pause the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix in 2025, this event has been a cornerstone of our community for nearly four decades, bringing excitement, economic impact, and international recognition to our destination. We understand Powerboat P1’s decision and appreciate their commitment to maintaining the event’s high standards. We support their commitment to maintaining the event’s high quality and look forward to its potential return in the future.”