The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series has opened entries for the 2026 season, with competitors now able to register across four classes for an eight-round championship beginning in Bradenton, Florida on February 20 and 21.
Entry fees range from $50 for GT-15 boats to $300 for Formula 1 craft, with Formula Lights and Tri-Hull categories set at $200 per round. The series transitions to IHRA ownership following the organisation’s December acquisition of American tunnel boat racing’s premier championship.
John Schubert and Tim Seebold, who launched the series in 2017, will continue operating the championship under IHRA’s sanctioning structure. Seebold serves as Managing Director whilst Schubert maintains operational control of the series administration.
Registration Requirements
Competitors must hold valid IHRA membership before submitting race entries. Applications require completion of comprehensive liability releases covering participation in motorsports events, including specific waivers for minors under 18 years of age.
The entry form mandates disclosure of safety equipment specifications, including helmet and life jacket manufacturers, plus capsule training certification. Drivers must provide emergency contact information and declare any medical conditions or allergies affecting competition.
IHRA membership terms include mandatory medical insurance coverage sufficient to address racing-related injuries, with drivers responsible for all medical expenses incurred during competition. The organisation’s inspection protocols apply to all boats, though inspection does not constitute certification of safety or compliance beyond basic rules adherence.
Eight-Round Championship
The season opens at the Bradenton Area River Regatta, marking IHRA’s first sanctioned powerboat racing event. The Florida weekend includes Friday Night Flash entertainment featuring drone light shows, fireworks and live music, followed by Saturday racing beginning at 10am.
Date |
Event |
Location |
Classes |
|---|---|---|---|
February 20-21 |
Bradenton Area River Regatta |
Palmetto-Bradenton, Florida |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull |
April 17-19 |
Gulf Coast Grand Prix |
Biloxi, Mississippi |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
May 1-3 |
Riverfest |
Port Neches, Texas |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
May 22-24 |
Red River Rumble F1 Powerboat Shootout |
Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
June 5-7 |
Battle on the Colorado |
Marble Falls, Texas |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
June 18-21 |
To be announced |
TBA |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
July 17-19 |
Alton Midwest Nationals |
Alton, Illinois |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
July 31-August 2 |
Roar of the Rockies |
Windsor, Colorado |
F1, F-Light, Tri-Hull, GT-15 |
Six of the eight rounds feature all four classes, with Bradenton hosting Formula 1, Formula Lights and Tri-Hulls only. The mid-June event remains unconfirmed pending venue finalisation.
IHRA Infrastructure Investment
The Ohio-based sanctioning body commits $500,000 in prize money and racer support for the tunnel boat series, adding to $2.75 million pledged across its powerboat racing portfolio including offshore and personal watercraft competition.
IHRA’s broadcast partnership with SPEED SPORT 1 distributes coverage across Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, PlutoTV and Fubo to more than 200 million devices in North America. Windy City Creative Group produces all IHRA racing content.
The organisation operates Memphis Motorsports Park, Heartland Motorsports Park in Kansas and Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina alongside its Fairfield headquarters. Chief executive Darryl Cuttell acquired IHRA in late 2024 before expanding into powerboat racing through October’s purchase of Powerboat P1 USA/P1 Offshore and December’s tunnel boat series acquisition.
Series Leadership Statement
Schubert and Seebold issued a joint statement addressing the IHRA transition and their continued involvement in series operations.
As most of you know we have had some big announcements in the past month as we continue building 2026 momentum with the season kicking off in Bradenton, Florida on February 20-21.
The IHRA’s acquisition of the F1 Powerboat Championship is something John and I have put a tremendous amount of thought and effort into.
We launched our series in 2017 after becoming unhappy with the current leadership’s direction of the sport and since then, our one unwavering goal has been to make Formula 1 powerboat racing better with each passing event. Ten years later, this remains true today. We know there is much more work to be done, and we are confident that by becoming a part of the IHRA network, that this will open doors not previously available to us.
The pair emphasised IHRA’s operational capabilities would enhance series professionalism whilst maintaining their administrative control.
With their advanced marketing capabilities, extensive broadcasting, and proficient event operations, we plan to deliver a world class experience to our racers, teams, and fans to grow and strengthen the future of our sport with professionalism and increased opportunities.
To accomplish this, we all undoubtably must change, but we believe that all will prosper. This opportunity will allow us to secure additional staff, equipment, and venues with multiple powerboat types, to gain new fan exposure, and sponsorship opportunities that will facilitate enormous driver benefits in safety, prize purses, and travel support.
IHRA president Leah Martin and director of powerboating Tommy Thomassie oversee the organisation’s water-based motorsports expansion. Tyler Miller and Randy Scism joined IHRA’s board to manage powerboat racing operations.
American Tunnel Boat Heritage
Tim Seebold holds the all-time American Formula One victory record with 37 wins across seven national championships before retiring from driving in 2016 with 19 North American titles. His father Billy Seebold, who died in October aged 84, amassed more than 900 victories and 69 world and national championships over a 46-year career.
The 2026 driver roster includes defending champion Dustin Terry, 2022 champion Spencer Love, and multiple-time winners including Terry Rinker, Johnny Fleming and Ashton Rinker. Canadian competitors Kyle Maskall, Cody Nass and Aiden Benton join American entries from California, Texas, Louisiana, Michigan, Illinois and Florida.
Full entry documentation and rulebook specifications are available at f1powerboatchampionship.com.
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.
