The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series has confirmed the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge in Sheboygan, Wisconsin as an addition to its 2026 schedule. The event runs August 7-9, with Formula 1 tunnel boats joining Offshore and PWC competition on the same programme.
Sheboygan was already on the IHRA calendar for those dates, hosting Round 6 of the Offshore National Championship alongside the Pro Watercraft Series. The F1 inclusion puts all three of IHRA’s powerboating disciplines at the venue for the same weekend.
The season-closing Miami World Powerboat Grand Prix is confirmed for October 20-25 at Miami Marine Stadium on Biscayne Bay. That event will bring F1, Formula Light, and Tri Hull competition together with offshore and personal watercraft racing, and will crown the first-ever IHRA World Powerboating Champions.
Two rounds of the F1 series have been completed: Andrew Tate won the opener at Bradenton in February, and Spencer Love took Round 2 at Port Neches last weekend. Round 3 follows in Shreveport-Bossier on May 22-24.
2026 IHRA F1 Powerboat Series Schedule
| Dates | Event | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20-21 | Round 1 – Bradenton Area River Regatta | Bradenton, FL | Completed |
| May 1-3 | Round 2 – Thunder on the Neches | Port Neches, TX | Completed |
| May 22-24 | Round 3 – Red River Rumble | Shreveport-Bossier, LA | Upcoming |
| Jun 5-7 | Round 4 – Battle on the Colorado | Marble Falls, TX | Upcoming |
| Jul 17-19 | Round 5 – Midwest Nationals | Alton, IL | Upcoming |
| Jul 31-Aug 2 | Round 6 – Roar of the Rockies | Windsor, CO | Upcoming |
| Aug 7-9 | Midwest Challenge | Sheboygan, WI | Upcoming |
| Oct 20-25 | Miami World Powerboat Grand Prix | Miami, FL | Upcoming |
Additional event details and ticket information for both new events will be announced in the coming months, according to IHRA.
2026 IHRA F1 Championship Standings
Full points standings after two rounds, updated after every race.
View the Standings
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.
