The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series is the premier Formula 1 powerboat racing championship in the United States, sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). Open-cockpit tunnel-hull boats race on rivers and lakes across the country, with the fastest F1 machines capable of speeds approaching and exceeding 200mph. Three classes compete: Formula 1, Formula Lights, and Tri-Hull.
The series has been kept alive through years of difficulty by the dedication of competitors who fund their own racing and return to the water season after season. Tim Seebold, a driver and driving force behind the championship, has been central to that continuity. 2026 is a genuine turning point: with IHRA institutional backing now fully in place, the series has a proper multi-round national calendar for the first time in years, and a growing field of competitive drivers.
The Boats
Formula 1 is the top class. Open-cockpit tunnel-hull catamarans run high-powered engines capable of approaching and in some conditions exceeding 200mph. Racing takes place on rivers and lakes where course conditions vary significantly from venue to venue.
Formula Lights runs similar hull designs with less powerful engine specifications, making it the most competitive and closely-fought class by entry numbers. Seventeen drivers contested Formula Lights at Rounds 1 and 2 of 2026.
Tri-Hull is a specialist class for three-point suspension hull designs, a form of racing with a long history in American powerboat competition.
How Racing Works
IHRA F1 events run over a weekend, with multiple heats across Saturday and Sunday. Points are accumulated from each heat, with the final championship decided on total points scored across all rounds attended. The format rewards consistency as much as outright pace.
A full points explanation is on the PBN points scoring systems page.
The 2026 Season
Spencer Love (#24) leads the Formula 1 standings after three rounds. Jake McKee (#1) leads Formula Lights. Full 2026 IHRA F1 championship standings, updated after every round, are here.
2026 Calendar
Follow the 2026 IHRA F1 Season
All IHRA F1 Coverage
Race reports, results, and championship analysis throughout 2026.
IHRA F1 on Powerboat NewsFrequently Asked Questions
What is the IHRA F1 Powerboat Series?
The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series is the premier Formula 1 powerboat racing championship in the United States, sanctioned by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA). Open-cockpit tunnel-hull boats race across a national calendar of eight rounds.
How fast do IHRA F1 boats go?
The top Formula 1 class boats are capable of approaching and in some conditions exceeding 200mph. Speeds vary significantly depending on the course layout and conditions on the day.
What classes compete in IHRA F1?
Three classes compete: Formula 1 (the top class), Formula Lights (a closely-contested class with more restricted engine specifications), and Tri-Hull (specialist three-point suspension hull designs).
How are IHRA F1 points scored?
Points are accumulated across multiple heats at each event. Drivers score from every completed heat, rewarding consistency across both days of a race weekend.
Where are IHRA F1 races held?
The 2026 season visits Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Miami, racing on rivers and lakes across the United States.
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.
