Monster Energy has signed as the official energy drink of the IHRA Offshore Racing Series, the first major brand partnership for the series as it prepares to open its inaugural season at the St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix on March 27.
Under the agreement, Monster Energy receives exclusive category rights across all IHRA Offshore events, with fan activations, promotional visibility, and on-site experiences at waterfront venues throughout the season. The brand will make its debut at St Petersburg, where IHRA runs its seven-round national championship opening round.
IHRA President Leah Martin welcomed the partnership.
“We’re excited to welcome Monster Energy to the IHRA Offshore Racing Series. Monster Energy represents the adrenaline, performance, and lifestyle that define offshore racing. Launching this partnership at the St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix is the perfect way to kick off an exciting season for racers and fans alike.” – Leah Martin, President, International Hot Rod Association
Dave Gowland, Vice President of Sports Marketing for Monster Energy, pointed to the alignment between the brand and the sport.
“Offshore powerboat racing represents everything Monster Energy stands for – speed, power, and pushing limits. IHRA is building something exciting with the Offshore Racing Series, and we’re proud to support the racers and fans who make this sport so unique.” – Dave Gowland, Vice President of Sports Marketing, Monster Energy
The signing is the most visible commercial development yet for IHRA’s offshore operation, which has moved quickly since acquiring Powerboat P1 USA in October 2025 and committing $2.75 million across its powerboat disciplines. It arrives on the same day that Race World Offshore and the UIM announced their own ten-year partnership to bring UIM world championship status to North America – a development that underlines the competing directions American offshore racing is now moving in simultaneously.
The St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix opens on March 27 in St Petersburg, Florida.
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.
