Key West World Championship Attracts Record 96 Boats

The 44th Annual Key West World Championship has attracted a record-breaking 96 boats for the November 2-9 event at Truman Waterfront Park. The championship features a $250,000 purse funded by the International Hot Rod Association, representing a major investment in offshore powerboat racing.

Darryl Cuttell, IHRA owner and chief executive officer, outlined the organisation’s vision in an official statement: “This is the start of something extraordinary. We’re not just racing, we’re reviving a movement.”

The $250,000 Key West purse forms part of IHRA’s broader $1.25 million commitment to offshore powerboat racing, which includes a minimum $1 million purse for the 2026 IHRA Offshore National Championship Series and dedicated tow fund support for teams.

Entry List Breakdown

The 96-boat entry list represents a record year for the championship, with strong participation across all categories. Super Stock leads the field with 14 entries, whilst Modified Vee has attracted 11 boats. The Bracket classes collectively account for 39 entries across seven divisions.

Factory Stock continues its growth with nine entries, whilst Pro Class 1 and Super Cat each field seven boats. The Super Vee category has drawn six entries, with two boats in the Extreme class and one in Cat 300.

Notable entries include Sheik Hassan Al-Thani and Steve Curtis in Spirit of Qatar (Extreme class), whilst teams like XINSURANCE, Monster Energy, GC Racing MTI and WHM feature across multiple categories. The diverse entry list includes teams from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Bermuda.

IHRA Investment in Offshore Racing

The $250,000 purse represents the International Hot Rod Association’s commitment to offshore powerboat racing. IHRA, owned by Darryl Cuttell, has pledged a total of $1.25 million to the sport, including the Key West purse and a minimum $1 million for the 2026 IHRA Offshore National Championship Series.

Leah Martin, IHRA powerboat racing executive, emphasised the organisation’s ambitions in an official statement: “We’re raising the standard for professional offshore racing. This new structure gives racers the support they deserve and fans an unmatched viewing experience across every venue and broadcast.”

Carl McBride, IHRA chief technology officer, outlined the technical approach: “Technology, logistics, and safety will be at the heart of this next era. Our goal is to give every team the tools, data, and consistency needed to elevate competition and ensure offshore racing continues to grow on a global scale.”

The 2026 IHRA Offshore National Championship Series will include dedicated tow fund support to assist teams with travel expenses. Race locations and schedules are expected to be announced in the coming months, with competitions planned at premier destinations across North America.

Recent developments include IHRA’s purchase of Powerboat P1 USA/P1 Offshore, with former P1 management team member Thomas Covington now overseeing strategic sponsorship and operations for IHRA. MTI founder Randy Scism and M CON Racing team owner Tyler Miller have been appointed to the IHRA board of directors.

Event Schedule

The championship week begins on Sunday, November 2 with the First State Bank World’s Fastest Boat Parade along Duval Street at 4:00 PM, preceded by participant lineup at 3:30 PM. The opening weekend includes team registration, boat inspections, and the Racers & Fans Sunday Funday event.

Monday and Tuesday feature registration, credentials processing, race boat inspections, and dunker testing for safety certification. Official testing time is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, with The Keys Collection Racer’s Party providing evening entertainment.

Racing commences on Wednesday, November 5 with the Truman Waterfront Cup, featuring seven races across all classes. Gates open at 9:00 AM with racing starting at 10:00 AM. Thursday provides teams with additional practice time and official testing.

Friday, November 7 hosts the Southernmost Continental Championship, the second day of racing with an identical seven-race format. The day concludes with the RWO Duval Street Party and official racer’s celebration at Bali Bar.

Saturday features the Build a Boat competition at the waterfront, whilst teams prepare for the final race day. The Conch Republic Championship on Sunday, November 9 crowns the world champions, with racing beginning at 10:00 AM. The week concludes with the RWO Awards Ceremony at Coffee Butler Amphitheater at 6:00 PM.

Spectator Information

General admission tickets are available for $25 per day at the Outer Mole entrance on race days. Children aged 12 and under and military personnel receive free entry. The event features food and beverage vendors, merchandise stands, and multiple viewing locations including the Race Village at Truman Waterfront Park.

Prohibited items include coolers, outside food and drink, drones, weapons, scooters, tents, backpacks and golf carts. Spectators may bring bicycles (helmets mandatory) and lawn chairs. All personal items are subject to search by NAS Key West Security.

Limited parking is available near the venue. Organisers encourage attendees to use rideshare services, the free Duval Loop, or bicycles. VIP hospitality packages offer premium water-edge viewing in the Race Village.

Organisation and Sanctioning

Race World Offshore manages overall event production for the Key West World Championship, continuing its role since taking over the event in 2017. The World Powerboat Racing Association handles sanctioning duties for the 2025 edition.

IHRA’s recent acquisition of Powerboat P1 USA/P1 Offshore signals significant changes ahead for American offshore powerboat racing. The organisation has pledged to create a unified platform for the sport, with discussions ongoing regarding future event structures and schedules.

The Key West venue at Truman Waterfront Park provides a compact race course with excellent spectator viewing opportunities from multiple vantage points including the Race Village, Outer Mole, and surrounding waterfront areas.

Complete Entry List

Extreme (2 entries)

Pro Class 1 (7 entries)

Super Cat (7 entries)

Factory Stock (9 entries)

Super Stock (14 entries)

Modified Vee (11 entries)

Super Vee (6 entries)

Cat 300 (1 entry)

Bracket Class 2 (3 entries)

Bracket Class 3 (3 entries)

Bracket Class 4 (7 entries)

Bracket Class 5 (8 entries)

Bracket Class 6 (10 entries)

Bracket Class 7 (8 entries)

For the latest updates and detailed event information, visit raceworldoffshore.com.

The 44th Annual Key West World Championship stands as a significant milestone for offshore powerboat racing, combining record participation with substantial prize money and the prestige of one of the sport’s most iconic venues. With 96 boats committed across 14 classes, the three-day championship promises intense competition from November 5-9.

John Moore

John Moore’s involvement in powerboat racing began in 1981 when he competed in his first offshore powerboat race. After a career as a Financial Futures broker in the City of London, specialising in UK interest rate markets, he became actively involved in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism.
He served as Event Director for the Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013. In 2016, he launched Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news and insights. The following year, he co-founded UKOPRA, helping to rejuvenate offshore racing in the United Kingdom. He sold Powerboat Racing World in late 2021 and remained actively involved with UKOPRA until 2025.
In 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.