The International Hot Rod Association has announced the launch of the IHRA Pro Watercraft Racing Series, a professional personal watercraft championship featuring $250,000 in prize money and both stand up and runabout competition when it debuts in 2026.
The series represents IHRA’s latest expansion in powerboat racing after the organisation acquired American F1 tunnel boat racing earlier this month with a $500,000 prize fund commitment.
Competition will be integrated into select IHRA Offshore Powerboat Racing Series events throughout the season.
Series Leadership
Thomas Covington will oversee overall strategy and commercial operations for the new championship. Dustin Farthing, who brings extensive racing experience to the role, has been appointed Managing Director.
Farthing said:
This series is being built by racers, for racers. We are focused on raising the standard across the board, from competition format and event execution to prize money and visibility. This is about giving athletes a series they can be proud to compete in and helping push the sport forward.
Strategic Integration
The decision to integrate personal watercraft racing with offshore events aims to create what IHRA describes as action-packed race weekends offering a premium on-water experience for spectators, racers, and commercial partners.
Covington emphasised the timing of the launch:
Personal watercraft racing has reached a point where it is ready for something new. Racers are looking for a clear vision and a professional platform they can believe in. By aligning this series with major offshore events, increasing exposure, and putting real prize money on the line, we are creating a foundation that can elevate the sport and open the door for future expansion.
IHRA Commitment
Darryl Cuttell, owner of IHRA, confirmed the organisation’s long-term investment in the discipline:
IHRA has always been committed to growing motorsports and creating new opportunities for racers. Personal watercraft racing has tremendous potential, and this series represents our commitment to investing in the sport, building a stronger platform, and delivering first-class competition and fan experiences.
The Fairfield, Ohio-based sanctioning body stated that planning and outreach efforts are already underway with racers, promoters, sponsors, and international stakeholders. Specific event details and the complete 2026 schedule will be announced in the coming months.
The new series follows IHRA’s stated goal of unifying competitive powerboat racing across multiple disciplines under centralised governance, with the organisation having completed three major powerboat acquisitions in recent months.
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.
