how does powerboat racing work

How Does Powerboat Racing Work?

by BoatStars | May 7, 2024 | FAQ | 0 comments

Powerboat racing is a thrilling, high-octane sport that draws crowds and enthusiasts from all over the world. If you’ve ever wondered how these sleek machines and their skilled pilots compete at breathtaking speeds, here’s a guide to understanding how powerboat racing works.

The Types of Powerboat Racing:

• Offshore Racing: Offshore racing involves long-distance courses in open waters, testing endurance, navigation skills, and the boat’s capability in varying sea conditions. Races typically involve high-speed boats like V-bottoms or catamarans. The renowned Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) Offshore World Championships is an example of this category.
• Circuit Racing: These races occur on inland waterways or protected coastal areas and typically follow circular or oval tracks. Boats like Formula 1 Powerboats or inshore catamarans compete here.
• Drag Boat Racing: Similar to drag racing on land, two boats line up side-by-side on a straight course, typically a quarter-mile long. The goal is simple: cover the distance faster than your opponent.
• Endurance Racing: These races push boats to their limits over long distances. The 24 Hours of Rouen is a notable example where teams race for a full day on a challenging circuit.
• P1 SuperStock and AquaX: Powerboat P1 SuperStock is a one-design powerboat racing series, while AquaX focuses on personal watercraft (PWC), highlighting racing at its purest form.

Key Elements of Racing:

• Classes and Categories: Powerboats are divided into various classes based on hull types, engine sizes, and power. This ensures fair competition and keeps races exciting. Major classes include Formula 1, P1 SuperStock, and Class 1 Offshore.
• Racing Teams: Teams typically consist of drivers, navigators, and support staff like mechanics and strategists. Each role is crucial in ensuring the boat performs at its best during a race.
• Race Courses: Races can happen on lakes, rivers, bays, or open seas. Offshore courses often include several waypoints that teams must navigate, while circuit races are marked with buoys for turns.
• Scoring and Points: Races are usually decided by the first boat across the finish line, but some series use a points system across a season to determine overall champions.

The Role of Technology:

• Boats: Advanced materials and technology are crucial for reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity. Catamaran hulls often dominate due to their stability and speed.
• Engines: High-performance engines, including supercharged or turbocharged motors, provide immense power. Engine reliability and fuel management are critical.
• Navigation and Communication: Modern GPS systems help navigators keep on track, while intercoms between crew members ensure clear communication under the intense noise.

Safety Considerations:

Given the extreme speeds and potential dangers, safety is paramount. Boats are equipped with reinforced cockpits, harnesses, helmets, and often onboard fire suppression. Races also feature chase boats and helicopters for rapid response.

Conclusion:

Powerboat racing is a complex, adrenaline-fueled sport that demands peak performance from both boats and their teams. Whether navigating treacherous offshore waters or battling it out in tight circuits, the skill and precision required make this one of the most exhilarating motorsports in the world.

The price of having a passion for powerboat racing

The cost is high and return on investment negligible, but for boaters like steve kildahl the rush of racing is worth it.

The boats are huge — some teams need two trucks to pull them back into the streets of Sarasota.

The speeds are intense — some can top 185 miles per hour.

And the price tag? That is the heaviest part.

Last year, Scott Colton, team manager for Miss GEICO Racing, said that putting a top class boat on the water could cost a team upwards of $1.5 million.

But what’s the cost for your average Joe? What if you just want to get in the race without putting in hundreds of thousands of dollars?

Steve Kildahl has raced in every single Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. This will be his 35th race and his 13th with his son, Stephen, who drives his boat while he controls the throttle. He safely knows his way around a powerboat, but he doesn’t race in the fastest, biggest or most expensive boats.

Kildahl’s team, Scott Free Racing, will compete in the Super Vee Extreme class this year. The registration fee for his class is $1,000 and the top prize is only $3,000.

“You don’t do it for the money, you do it for the love of the sport,” Kildahl said, laughing. He said that some of the higher classes don’t even provide prize money for a lot of races to try and reduce costs, even with registration fees approaching $2,000.

Because of this, a lot of teams seek sponsors to keep them in the race, but sponsors still don’t always have provide enough money for boaters to turn a profit on racing. Kildahl’s team’s biggest sponsor is boatfloater.com, but the team is sponsored by a variety of companies.

He said that some big teams might be able to make an income from racing, but most will struggle if profit is their goal. Most boat racers do it as a hobby first, and sponsors cover expenses like travel and maintenance.

The Scott Free boat, along with most boats in its class, cost Kildahl about $90,000. The motor alone is about $25,000 to $35,000, and most teams keep spare motors.

Super Vee Extreme boats don’t have any speed limit. They have a canopy cockpit and a single engine with a length limit of 32 feet. SVX boats are the fastest single engine boat class and sport a V-shaped bottom.

Every boat has a driver, a throttleman and a crew, including a designated crew leader. Everyone has to be registered with the race’s organization — in this case, both the Offshore Powerboat Association and the American Power Boat Association.

Registration for these sorts of organizations can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $,6000, with the price increasing for teams with more members. Some teams also pay their crew members, but Kildahl only has family members on his boat.

Most boats in the SVX class are used, so secondhand boats can be acquired for somewhere between $55,000 and $75,000, depending on the boat and whether or not you’re looking for the full package or just the chassis.

Boat trailers cost between $10,000 and $12,000, with a truck to pull it. Kildahl uses a Ford F-250 to pull his boat, which starts at about $33,000 new. He uses the model’s standard tow rig. Maintaining that truck can add on a few thousand dollars more over time.

Surprisingly, fuel isn’t a huge issue for powerboats in the SVX class. Kildahl’s boat uses regular fuel and his tank is only about 35 gallons, so it will likely cost him around $88 to fuel up for a race.

Kildahl also estimates that he spends around $4,000 to $5,000 in miscellaneous spare parts. He always anticipates more spending because things go wrong during races. Drives, for example, break often and repairing them can cost a team somewhere in the range of $5,500 to $6,000.

Locals like Kildahl get the luxury of avoiding hotel and travel costs, which can quickly run teams an extra $10,000, but these costs are often covered by sponsors.

In total, $170,000 is Kildahl’s final price — just under the annual salary of the average pediatrician, psychiatrist or CEO.

But what does it cost for your most basic powerboat racer to get into the industry?

Kildahl thinks that most people racing in a lower class will have an initial investment of around $20,000, including getting a boat and getting it ready to race.

Extra costs like registration, race fees, maintenance and crew costs can push that number closer to $30,000. The potential cost of necessary repairs is always there, too, so having an extra few thousand dollars on hand for racing isn’t a bad idea.

Class 7 boats, the lowest class, can’t go more than 60 miles per hour and have to be 20 to 22 feet in length. They have an open cockpit unlike the canopy of the higher classes.

The cost may be high and the return on investment may be negligible, but for boaters like Kildahl, the rush of skipping over the water and the reward of figuring out a winning formula comes from a place of passion.

Kildahl and his son will be back on the water around 2 p.m. Sunday for the Super Vee Extreme.

COST TO RACE A SUPER VEE EXTREME POWERBOAT Motor (and spare motor) — $50,000 Registration — $3,500 Trailer — $10,000 Truck (Ford 250) — $33,000 Fuel — $88 Propellers — $1,500 Drives — $5,500 Spare parts — $4,000 Boat (used) — $55,000 Total — $162,588

P1 Offshore;

Powerboat P1 is the fastest growing marine motorsport series in the world and has a long term commitment to growing and developing the sport of power boating at all levels. The Powerboat P1 team works closely with the sport’s governing bodies, the UIM, APBA and the IJSBA. P1 has delivered more than 85 world championship events in over twelve different countries for more than a decade.

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Everything you Need to Know about the Key West Powerboat Races 2023

Offshore powerboat racing is regarded as one of the most spectacular and exciting sports in the world, easily rivaling events like the Daytona 500, Monaco Grand Prix, and the Indianapolis 500. Become part of the ultimate adrenaline rush when the highly competitive races return to Key West once again this November. Here’s everything you need to know about the Key West Offshore World Championship Powerboat Races in 2023 (we answer some frequently asked questions too!).

When are the Key West Powerboat World Championships?

The entire event will take place over eight days on Key West’s waterfront, Nov. 5 - 12, 2023, with the races being held on Wednesday, Nov. 8 (Truman Waterfront Cup), Friday, Nov. 10 (Southernmost Continental Championship), and Sunday, Nov. 12 (Conch Republic Championship). See the schedule below for dates and times.

Where are the Powerboat World Championships in Key West?

The races will take place near Truman Waterfront Park, which is located at the end of Southard Street on Key West’s western shore.

How do you get to Truman Waterfront Park?

Guests of The Gates Hotel can hop on the air-conditioned shuttle to the Key West Historic Seaport (just show the shuttle driver your room key!). Once in Old Town, catch a cab or ridesharing service to Truman Waterfront Park or take the 15-minute walk by trekking south on William Street and taking a right on Southard Street. The park is located at the end of the traffic circle.

What should you bring to the Key West Powerboat World Championships?

Enhance your time at the races by bringing a comfortable folding chair or blanket and a beach umbrella to help shade you from the sun. Sunglasses and sunscreen are helpful too! Food and beverage vendors will be set up along the Outer Mole.

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Where are the Best Places to Watch the Boat Races in Key West?

Capture the boats flying past at top speed on the Outer Mole pier at Truman Waterfront Park. For an added bonus, hop aboard the Fury catamaran for the best viewing. The state-of-the-art catamaran sits literally in the middle of all the powerboat action, with a full liquor bar and light bites served.

[Save big with the Fury Watersports Package when you book your Key West stay with The Gates Hotel and choose from two amazing open water experiences]

Key West Powerboat Races Tickets and VIP Access

General admission to the races will be sold on-site at Truman Waterfront Park ($25 for a single day pass, $53 for a three-day pass; kids 12 and under, military, and veterans are free). Get the VIP Premium Race Experience which includes admission to the races, VIP seating on the Outer Mole, Fury water access from Duval, and a cash bar.

Best Events at the Key West Powerboat Races (Besides the Races)

See the opening ceremony before the festivities begin and the awards and closing ceremonies at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront. Notable events also include nightly racer’s parties at local bars, the World’s Fastest Boat Parade down Duval Street, and the 4th annual Build-A-Boat contest , where teams of 4 - 12 build a boat from scratch with materials provided. Cliff Cody, Key West Kings, Sam Carlson, and Wolf Love Band are set to take the stage at the Coffee Butler Amphitheater for ‘Boats and Boots’ on Saturday. 

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Key West Offshore Powerboat Racing Schedule 2023

We combed the week-long schedule to find the best events we think you’ll love. For a full schedule of events and itinerary for race participants, visit Race World Offshore.

Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023

Truman Waterfront Race Village, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

World’s Fastest Boat Parade down Duval Street, 4 p.m.

Hank’s Hair of the Dog Saloon ‘Racers Sunday Funday,’ 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 6, 2023

Race World Offshore Smokin’ Tuna Saloon ‘Racers Welcome Party,’ 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023

Truman Waterfront Race Village, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Keys Collection Racer's Party at Sunset Green Event Lawn , 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. As a proud Key West Powerboat Races sponsor, join The Gate’s Hotel at Sunset Green Event Lawn as we host this very special event for Race World Offshore fans.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023

Truman Waterfront Race Village, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Truman Waterfront Cup , Race 1, 10 a.m.

Truman Waterfront Cup , Race 2, 10:45 a.m.

Truman Waterfront Cup , Race 3, 12:30 p.m.

Truman Waterfront Cup , Race 4, 1:30 p.m.

Truman Waterfront Cup , Race 5, 2:30 p.m.

Race World Offshore General Horseplay ‘Racers Tomfoolery,’ 5:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Teasers ‘Race World Pole Position Party,’ 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023

Speed on the Water and Green Street Party, 7 p.m.

Hog's Breath Saloon ‘Hog's, Boats, and Ghosts World Championship Party,’ 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 10, 2023

Southernmost Continental Championship , Race 1, 10 a.m.

Southernmost Continental Championship , Race 2, 10:45 a.m.

Southernmost Continental Championship , Race 3, 12:30 p.m.

Southernmost Continental Championship , Race 4, 1:30 p.m.

Southernmost Continental Championship , Race 5, 2:30 p.m.

The Marker ‘Crown Royal Poolside Party’, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Race World Offshore Duval and Greene Block Party with your favorite race boats, 7 p.m.

Rick's Upstairs ‘Monster Energy World Championship Party,’ 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023

Build a Boat Building Contest on the waterfront by USCGC Ingham, 9:30 a.m.

Boat Build Race begins, 11 a.m.

XINSURANCE ‘Boats and Boots Concert’ at Coffee Butter Amphitheater, 5 - 10 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023

Conch Republic Championship , Race 1, 10 a.m.

Conch Republic Championship , Race 2, 10:45 a.m.

Conch Republic Championship , Race 3, 12:30 p.m.

Conch Republic Championship , Race 4, 1:30 p.m.

Conch Republic Championship , Race 5, 2:30 p.m.

Race World Offshore World Championship Awards Ceremony at Coffee Butler Amphitheater, 6 - 8 p.m.

Seal the Deal! Book Your Stay at the Conde Nast award-winning The Gates Hotel Key West , one of the Key West Offshore World Championship’s Hotel Partners. Now for a limited time, save up to 25% with our Fall Sale and join us on Nov. 7 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Sunset Green Event Lawn for a special Racer’s Party to meet and mingle with fellow powerboat enthusiasts.

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The lithium rush: How the UAE and Saudi Arabia are racing to power their EV ambitions

Experts say securing the lithium supply chain would help to reduce dependency on imports and lower costs.

The UAE and Saudi Arabia, countries that relied on oil for decades, are spending billions to develop an automotive industry and turn themselves into hubs for electric vehicles (EVs) manufacturing as part of attempts to diversify their economies. 

But there’s a catch, which raises questions about the commercial viability of the EV dream. To become a hub for EVs, countries must overcome obstacles, including a lack of infrastructure, talent, and raw materials, especially lithium. 

It is crucial to bolster domestic lithium production – enough to meet the demand for millions of EV batteries, significantly more than all EVs currently on roads.  

The kingdom established its EV brand, Ceer, and built an EV metals plant. Its sovereign wealth fund aims to produce 500,000 EVs annually by 2030.

The UAE plans to build an electric vehicle assembly facility in Abu Dhabi’s industrial zone to manufacture thousands of cars a year with smart electric firm NWTN, which is looking to increase the share of electric and hybrid vehicles in the market by 50% by 2050.

All these will boost demand for battery materials in both countries. To meet the demand, both countries need to set up facilities to process lithium locally.

The forecast is that the total number of EVs in the UAE will exceed 370,000 by 2032, representing 11% of the country’s passenger vehicles.

Lithium is a key mineral used in battery manufacture, which analysts say the EV industry will depend on for years to come, even though cheaper battery technology alternatives using less or no lithium are being studied.

In April, at the World Economic Forum’s special meeting in Riyadh,  Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef told Reuters, “Lithium is a very important mineral that happens to be part of a very important part of the supply chain, especially for batteries. I wouldn’t imagine that we would live without it.”

Furthermore, lithium’s role is also becoming increasingly important as the region moves to renewable energy sources and channels investment into creating a lower-carbon economy.

“Local production of lithium batteries is a key enabler for the energy transition and scaling of EV adoption in the Middle East by ensuring a stable and timely supply chain for OEMs,” says Karim Henain, partner at Bain and Company Middle East.

SECURING DOMESTIC SUPPLIES

While both countries are sourcing lithium from overseas as they look to produce EV batteries and invest in the electric vehicle sector, there are now gradual attempts to secure domestic supplies. Although, this is at an early stage.

“Securing the lithium supply chain would help to reduce dependency on imports, lower costs, and enhance energy security, enabling the region’s EV and renewable energy ambitions,” says Konstantin Lyakhov, Partner in the Energy and Process Industries Practice at Kearney Middle East & Africa. 

“Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing not only in lithium extraction technologies but also in global lithium markets to secure their future lithium demand,” he adds.

Attracting electric vehicle manufacturers also plays a significant role in enabling both countries’ economic vision.

Last September, Lucid Group, a California-based EV maker, opened its first plant outside the US in Jeddah, with an initial capacity to produce 5,000 EVs a year after the Saudi government pledged to buy up to 100,000 vehicles from it over ten years. Lucid is preparing to open a complete build unit, a factory capable of manufacturing a car, in 2026, for which construction has begun.

The PIF, which owns an over 60% stake in Lucid, invested billions in the company.

Reportedly, EV industry leader Tesla is in early discussions about setting up a manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia.

However, plants can’t have operations up and running and are inefficient in bringing parts, especially the key material for making the batteries that power EVs, from local and global suppliers.

“Saudi Arabia and the UAE are investing in lithium processing facilities and forming strategic partnerships to secure a stable lithium supply for local battery production. In addition, there are several regional investments in the global battery value chain to secure access to and ultimately localize battery production,” says Henain.

INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS

As countries compete to secure the critical mineral, Saudi Arabia’s flagship mining company, Ma’aden, has started working to extract lithium from seawater and salinated discharges from the kingdom’s oil fields. It’s in the pilot phase. 

Earlier this year, there were reports that Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company are in the very early stages of work to extract lithium from brine in their oilfields, which avoids the need for costly and environmentally challenging open-pit mines or large evaporation ponds.

Ma’aden declined to provide details on the type of lithium extraction technology used but said they’d be happy to discuss it in the near future “when we are in more advanced stages.”

Ma’aden is 67% owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, and launched Manara Minerals, a joint venture with the PIF, to invest in mining assets abroad.

Manara Minerals is looking at opportunities to invest in lithium production in Chile. Reports are that Saudi Arabia is trying to secure a partnership with Codelco, a Chilean state-run company seeking private-sector partners to launch lithium projects.

Although the EV revolution hit a slow patch globally last year, it is far from going reverse. Both countries are looking for new lithium supplies in anticipation of future demand. Private and government entities are heavily involved in formalizing supply and production.

“While the UAE has been working on international lithium projects and exploring local prospects, Saudi Arabia focuses on lithium extraction and processing. Additionally, they are working towards developing strategic partnerships and investing heavily into infrastructure,” says Dr. Rula Sharqi, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

The UAE, focused on the underlying business fundamentals, is expanding its lithium production plans.

Last year, China’s Sunrise New Energy was in talks with the Abu Dhabi Investment Fund about a potential partnership to manufacture lithium battery material in Abu Dhabi.

Kezad Group and Titan Lithium, a UAE-based company, are also planning a $1.4 billion lithium processing plant in Abu Dhabi to support the region’s EV industry. 

“Lithium is the new oil, and through this project, we are positioning the UAE, specifically Abu Dhabi, as a pivotal hub in the lithium processing domain,” Vaibhav Jain, founder and president of Titan Lithium Industries, said in a press statement.

SERIOUS CHALLENGES

These expansive initiatives and partnerships, including projects tailored to the automotive sector, are all great news, but what is challenging is scaling local lithium production to meet the demand. 

Technical barriers, intense competition from existing producers, high capital investments, and environmental policies pose serious challenges to lithium development plans.

“Scaling production in the region will be challenging due to technological hurdles and competition in the global market,” says Lyakhov . “But with the right level of incentives, international collaboration, and support from the private sector, the region can become a significant player in the lithium industry.”

Henain says limited natural reserves and the need for advanced extraction technologies add to the challenges.“Overcoming them will require significant investments and international collaborations to effectively meet the demand for EV batteries and other applications.”

It will take time to see how both countries’ strategies pan out as they enter into an array of agreements to secure the critical minerals necessary for the energy transition, but the longer-term picture is positive as governments force the transition to EVs. 

“Despite these obstacles,” Sharqi says, “these initiatives are vital for establishing a strong lithium supply chain and meeting growing demand.”

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