If you love speed, powerboats and excitement, than you need go nowhere else but Sheboygan’s lakefront this August as international marine motorsport promoter Powerboat P1, the Formula One Championship Series and Mercury Racing of Fond du Lac have selected Sheboygan to host an inaugural powerboat race event August 11th through the 13th this year, featuring global race groups bringing speeds of 160 mph to the shores of Sheboygan.
The Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge, a festival and celebration of powerboat racing, will feature the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing including the UIM Class-1 World Championship, F1 Powerboat Championship, and various offshore racing classes. More than 40 race teams are expected to participate with competitors from around the world, including Australia, Italy, Sweden, Canada and Norway.
Deland Park and Harbor Centre Marina have been chosen as the Pit Area for race teams preparing their boats, and there will be Fan Zones with vendors, merchandise, activities and free viewing of the races for powerboat fans, Sheboygan residents and tourists. A ticketed VIP hospitality suite will also offer a catered lunch, open bar, lounge seating and televisions to enhance the viewing experience.
In announcing the event on Wednesday, Mayor Ryan Sorenson expressed excitement for the event and the chance to show off what he called “our pristine shoreline, and our number-one natural resource, Lake Michigan.” He continued, “This is another great example of why Sheboygan is known as the ‘Malibu of the Midwest’”.
The General Manager of Mercury Racing, Stuart Halley, said “When we toured cities to host the event, Sheboygan stood out due to its beautiful water, lodging options, outdoor recreation space, ands a local government group that was eager to learn more about powerboat racing and host this one-of-a-kind event.” He was especially pleased to be able to locate the race less than an hour from Mercury Marine’s corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac.
Although full details have yet to be finalized, the tentative agenda includes a downtown block party on Friday, August 11th to meet the race teams and see the boats up-close, with live music, food and beverage. The race weekend kicks off on Saturday, August 12th with F-1 Powerboat racing, P-1 Offshore powerboat testing, UIM Class-1 pole position qualifying, and an exhibition of the RaceBird, an electric boat featuring power from Mercury Racing that will premiere in the E-1 World Championship in 2024. The events will conclude on Sunday, August 13th with a full day of racing.
The Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge will be televised globally as well as in the U.S. on CBS Sports Network and Bally Sports Regional Networks, showcasing the Sheboygan lakefront and downtown district.
P1 Powerboat Launch Area
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