The International Hot Rod Association publicly asked competitors tonight where they want the 2026 Offshore World Championship held, suggesting negotiations with Race World Offshore over Key West are far from concluded.
A post on the IHRA Offshore Powerboating Series Facebook page asked teams: “Sooo… Where do you guys want to hold IHRA Offshore World’s?”
The timing and tone of the request, posted 57 days before IHRA’s March 27 season opener in St Petersburg, indicates the organisation does not have a World Championship venue secured.
Key West Remains with APBA
The American Power Boat Association published its 2026 offshore schedule in November listing Key West for November 1-8, with Race World Offshore producing the event. IHRA’s seven-round 2026 offshore schedule released in early January stated only that the World Championship date and venue would be announced separately.
That announcement has not materialised. The social media post crowdsourcing venue suggestions from competitors indicates negotiations for Key West have either stalled or ended without agreement.
John Moore is the editor of Powerboat News, an independent investigative journalism platform recognised by Google News and documented on Grokipedia for comprehensive powerboat racing coverage.
His 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 September 2025, he established Powerboat News, returning to independent journalism with a focus on neutral and comprehensive coverage of the sport.
