The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series returns to Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana for Round 4 of its inaugural season over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 to 24. General admission viewing along both banks of the Red River is free throughout the weekend.
The event is the third running of the Red River Rumble, hosted along the Red River by the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission of Visit Shreveport-Bossier. The weekend runs alongside the Mudbug Madness Festival – Shreveport’s Cajun crawfish celebration, now in its 42nd year – opening on Friday with a press conference and a drivers’ Block Party on Commerce Street before two full days of championship racing.
What You Will See
Formula 1 tunnel boats are single-seat, enclosed-cockpit racing craft powered by high-performance outboard engines capable of speeds up to 120mph. They race on a closed course on open water, navigating tight buoy turns in close quarters on each lap. The Red River circuit sits between two public viewing areas on opposite banks, so the racing is visible from both the Shreveport and Bossier City sides throughout the weekend.
Four classes compete: Formula 1 (the senior open class), Formula Lights, Tri Hull, and the Talent Cup junior development class. More than 50 boats are expected across the classes. The tight riverside course delivers non-stop action, with changing wind and water conditions ensuring no two laps run alike.
The series also offers 2-seater rides over the course of the weekend – an opportunity to experience the circuit from inside a Formula 1 powerboat.
Race Schedule
All times are Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5). Schedule is tentative; check f1powerboatchampionship.com for the latest. Your time converts automatically to your local time.
| Session | Local time (CDT, UTC-5) | Your time |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, May 21 – Pit Setup | ||
| Pit setup begins | 12:00 PM | 17:00 |
| Friday, May 22 – Testing & Block Party | ||
| Registration / Safety Inspection | 9:00 AM | 14:00 |
| Press Conference – Red River riverwalk, Shreveport Aquarium | 10:00 AM | 15:00 |
| 2-Seater Rides | 11:00 AM | 16:00 |
| Driver’s Meeting | 11:30 AM | 16:30 |
| Testing – Formula 1 | 12:30 PM | 17:30 |
| Testing – Formula Lights | 1:30 PM | 18:30 |
| Testing – Talent Cup | 2:30 PM | 19:30 |
| Testing – Tri-Hull | 2:45 PM | 19:45 |
| Testing – Formula 1 (continued) | 3:30 PM | 20:30 |
| Boats line up for Block Party escort | 4:30 PM | 21:30 |
| Block Party – Commerce Street (drivers’ meet and greet) | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM | 23:00 |
| Police escort – return to pit area | 8:45 PM | 01:45 |
| Saturday, May 23 – Qualifying & Heats | ||
| Safety Inspection / Registration | 7:00 AM – 8:30 AM | 12:00 |
| Driver’s Meeting – Formula 1 & Formula Lights | 8:30 AM | 13:30 |
| Testing – Tri-Hull | 9:00 AM | 14:00 |
| Formula Lights – Testing / Qualifying (3 min + 1 lap) | 9:30 AM | 14:30 |
| Formula 1 – Testing / Qualifying (4 min + 1 lap) | 10:30 AM | 15:30 |
| Testing – Talent Cup | 11:30 AM | 16:30 |
| Driver’s Meeting – All Classes / 2-Seater Rides | 11:45 AM | 16:45 |
| Opening Ceremonies | 12:15 PM | 17:15 |
| Tri-Hull – Heat 1 (7 laps) | 12:30 PM | 17:30 |
| Formula 1 – Heat 1 (8 min + 2 laps) | 1:15 PM | 18:15 |
| Formula Lights – Heat 1 (6 min + 2 laps) | 2:00 PM | 19:00 |
| Talent Cup – Heat 1 (4 laps) | 2:45 PM | 19:45 |
| Tri-Hull – Heat 2 (7 laps) | 3:00 PM | 20:00 |
| Formula Lights – Heat 2 (6 min + 2 laps) | 3:30 PM | 20:30 |
| Formula 1 – Heat 2 (8 min + 2 laps) | 4:15 PM | 21:15 |
| Sunday, May 24 – Finals (Memorial Day) | ||
| Driver’s Meeting – All Classes / 2-Seater Rides | 9:00 AM | 14:00 |
| Talent Cup – Heats 2 & 3 (4 laps each) | 10:00 AM | 15:00 |
| Formula Lights – Heat 3 (6 min + 2 laps) | 10:30 AM | 15:30 |
| Opening Ceremonies | 11:45 AM | 16:45 |
| Tri-Hull – Heat 3 (7 laps) | 12:00 PM | 17:00 |
| Formula 1 – Heat 3 (8 min + 2 laps) | 12:30 PM | 17:30 |
| Formula Lights – Final (15 min + 2 laps) | 1:30 PM | 18:30 |
| Talent Cup – Final (4 laps) | 2:15 PM | 19:15 |
| Tri-Hull – Final (20 laps) | 2:30 PM | 19:30 |
| Formula 1 – Final (17 min + 2 laps) | 3:15 PM | 20:15 |
| Awards Presentation | 4:00 PM | 21:00 |
All times Central Daylight Time (CDT, UTC-5). Schedule is tentative. Your local time is calculated automatically above.
Friday Night Block Party
The Block Party on Friday May 22 runs from 6:00 to 8:30 pm on Commerce Street, in conjunction with Mudbug Madness. The boats are escorted from the pit area to the event, giving spectators a close-up look that does not happen anywhere else on the circuit. At the Block Party, fans can meet the drivers, get autographs, see the boats up close, and have a chance to sit inside a real Formula 1 powerboat. Entry is free.
Where to Watch – Free General Admission
Spectators can watch from two free public viewing areas on opposite banks of the Red River:
Riverview Park – Downtown Shreveport (west bank)
Louisiana Boardwalk – Bossier City (east bank)
Venue address: 601 Clyde Fant Parkway, Shreveport, LA 71101
Bring a lawn chair – both riverbanks offer open, unobstructed views of the course.
VIP Experience
VIP tickets are available for both race days and include access to a dedicated viewing area at the Shreveport Aquarium, a buffet, bar service, one ticket to the Mudbug Madness Festival, and entry to the Shreveport Aquarium. Book via simpletix.com.
Mudbug Madness Festival
The Red River Rumble runs alongside Mudbug Madness, Shreveport’s annual crawfish and zydeco festival, now in its 42nd year. The festival adds live music, food, and Cajun culture across the Memorial Day weekend, making the racing one part of a full weekend event on both sides of the river.
Tim Seebold and Shreveport
For Tim Seebold, Managing Director of the IHRA F1 Powerboat Series, the Red River Rumble carries particular significance. Seebold holds the all-time American Formula One victory record, with 37 wins across seven national championships before retiring from driving in 2016.
“Shreveport holds a special place in my heart as it was the site of my last National Championship before retiring from driving.” – Tim Seebold, Managing Director, IHRA F1 Powerboat Series
Live Streaming and Timing
Live coverage is produced by Live Race Media and is available free on the series Facebook page and YouTube channel. Live timing and scoring at f1pc.livemotorsports.com. IHRA F1 Powerboat Series highlights air on SPEED SPORT 1 (Amazon Prime Video, The Roku Channel, PlutoTV, and Fubo) on Tuesdays at 7pm ET.
Championship Context
Andrew Tate won the Formula 1 final at the Bradenton season opener in February. The field then completes rounds at Biloxi and Port Neches before arriving in Shreveport for Round 4. The 2026 IHRA Formula One Championship Standings are updated after each round.
2026 Red River Rumble – At a Glance
Round: 4 of 8, IHRA F1 Powerboat Series inaugural season
Dates: May 22–24, 2026 (Memorial Day Weekend)
Venue: Red River waterfront, Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana (601 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport, LA 71101)
Classes: Formula 1, Formula Lights, Tri Hull, Talent Cup
General admission: Free
Viewing: Riverview Park, Downtown Shreveport & Louisiana Boardwalk, Bossier City
VIP tickets: simpletix.com
Race information: f1powerboatchampionship.com | ihra.com
More IHRA F1 Coverage on Powerboat News
2026 IHRA Formula One Championship Standings
Andrew Tate Takes First F1 Victory at Bradenton Opener
2026 Thunder on the Neches: Everything You Need to Know
IHRA F1 Series Opens 2026 Entries with Eight-Round Schedule
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.
