SHEBOYGAN, Wis. – January 4th 2023– International marine motorsport promoter Powerboat P1, the Formula One Championship Series, and Mercury Racing, a Fond du Lac, Wis.-based manufacturer of high-performance marine propulsion, selected Sheboygan, Wis., as the host city of an inaugural powerboat race event scheduled for August 11-13, 2023.
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.
“We are very excited to host this event right here in Sheboygan, and bring power boat racing back to our city. We love showing off our pristine shoreline, and our number one natural resource, Lake Michigan. This is another great example of why Sheboygan is known as the Malibu of the Midwest.” Stated by Mayor Ryan Sorenson
“When we toured cities to host the event, Sheboygan stood out due to its beautiful water, lodging options, outdoor recreation space, and a local government group that was eager to learn more about powerboat racing and host this one-of-a-kind event,” added Stuart Halley, general manager of Mercury Racing. “Our race support team and collection of marine products are featured in powerboat races around the world and now there’s going to be a powerboat race weekend in the Midwest, less than an hour from our corporate headquarters.”
Deland Park and Harbor Centre Marina have been identified as the Pit Area for race teams to prepare 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. There will also be a ticketed VIP hospitality suite, offering a catered lunch, open bar, lounge seating and televisions to enhance the viewing experience.
“Mercury Racing has been a pillar of powerboat racing for half a century and Powerboat P1 is honored to be partnering with this world leader as the promoter of the unique celebration,” said Azam Rangoonwala, CEO of Powerboat P1 Management. “The plan to
bring together multiple classes of powerboat racing from around the world is an innovative concept and promises to deliver a memorable weekend of sport and entertainment.”
Full details of the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge will be announced in Spring 2023 but the tentative agenda includes:
- Friday, Aug. 11, Downtown Block Party to meet the race teams and see the boats up-close, with live music, food and beverage.
- Saturday, Aug. 12, kicks off Race Weekend with F1 Powerboat racing, P1 Offshore powerboat testing, and UIM Class 1 pole position qualifying. The event is also set to include an exhibition of the RaceBird, an electric boat featuring power from Mercury Racing that will premiere in the E1 World Championship in 2023.
- Sunday, Aug. 13, showcases a full day of racing with F1 Powerboat, P1 Offshore and the high-speed Class 1 boats in action. 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.
To learn more about the event, sponsorship packages or obtain your VIP tickets, please email info@powerboatp1.com.
About City of Sheboygan
Sheboygan is centrally located between Milwaukee and Green Bay. Sheboygan is located on Lake Michigan with miles of beaches, world class sailing, and premier charter fishing. Sheboygan has a historic downtown made up of great shops, restaurants, and arts & entertainment. Most notability, Sheboygan is known for being a great place to raise a family.
About Mercury Racing
Based in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Racing, a division of Mercury Marine, is a leading provider of high-performance marine propulsion systems for discriminating boaters worldwide, offering an exciting and fulfilling power boating experience on the water. Using leading-edge technology, Mercury Racing produces high-performance outboards, sterndrives, propellers, parts, and accessories. Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corp. (NYSE: BC), the world’s largest manufacturer of recreational products, including pleasure boats and marine engines.
About Powerboat P1
Powerboat P1 was founded in 2002 and has staged more than 675 powerboat and personal watercraft races in 18 countries on four continents.
About UIM Class 1
Class 1 is the premier class of offshore powerboat racing in the world. A Class 1 race boat has twin inboard 1100hp engines and can reach speeds in excess of 160mph. All boats are limited by a minimum weight of 11,750lbs. The Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) assigned the international rights to stage Class 1 offshore powerboat racing to Powerboat P1.
About F1 Powerboat
F1 racing uses tunnel hull catamarans that are capable of both high speed and exceptional manoeuvrability. The boats weigh 860 pounds, including 260 pounds of engine, and are 20 feet long and seven feet wide. F1 boats accelerate from 0-100 mph in five seconds, as quick as a Formula 1 race car. Top speeds reach 120 mph with the capability of taking a 180-degree corner at 100 mph, pulling 7 Gs in the process, making them the most demanding turning race machine in the world.
MEDIA CONTACT INFO
Powerboat P1, Roy Mantle
rmantle@powerboatp1.com
Mercury Racing, Kim Bresser
kbresser@mercmarine.com
City of Sheboygan, Veronica Valdez
veronica.valdez@sheboyganwi.gov