H1 Unlimited opens its 2026 season this Independence Day weekend, as the APBA Gold Cup returns to Madison, Indiana, for the 76th Madison Regatta on the Ohio River. Racing runs Friday to Sunday, July 3-5.
It is the 122nd running of the Gold Cup, the oldest active trophy in motorsport, first awarded in 1904. Madison hosts the race for the sixth time, most recently in 2021.
The weekend also opens H1 Unlimited’s new Total Weekend Points scoring system for 2026. Readers new to the class can find the fundamentals in PBN’s complete guide to H1 Unlimited.
What Spectators Will See
H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are turbine-powered three-point boats capable of speeds beyond 200mph, throwing roostertails of spray up to 60 feet high. The boats return to the 2.5-mile Ohio River course beneath the Milton-Madison Bridge, one of the sport’s most recognisable layouts.
Seven Boats Chasing the Gold Cup
Seven H1 Unlimited hydroplanes are entered, the largest Madison field since 2021.
Andrew Tate returns as defending champion, having won the last two Madison Regattas and the last two National High Points titles. He drives the U-1 for BWR Racing, alongside seven-time National Champion and five-time Gold Cup winner Jimmy Shane, who comes out of retirement to drive the U-27 Miss Apollo, the hull formerly campaigned by Dave Villwock.
Shane chose the boat built by Wiggins Racing Team over the 2007-vintage Miss Madison hull known as “Sharky.” The U-27 Miss Apollo he now drives is the boat Dave Villwock took to his record 68th career win and 11th Gold Cup at Tri-Cities last year, tying Chip Hanauer’s all-time mark before retiring at the end of the season.
| Driver | Boat |
|---|---|
| J. Michael Kelly | U-00 Maverick |
| Andrew Tate | U-1 BWR Racing |
| Corey Peabody | U-3 Tahoe Miss |
| Brandon Kennedy | U-6 Royer Miss Madison |
| Jamie Nilsen | U-11 Miss Flav-R-Pac |
| Jimmy Shane | U-27 Miss Apollo |
| Dylan Runne | U-40 Bucket List Racing |
Brandon Kennedy drives for the hometown team, Royer Miss Madison. J. Michael Kelly has won at Madison twice and is chasing a third victory. Dylan Runne returns to the sport after three years away.
New Points Format Debuts
Madison is the first test of H1 Unlimited’s Total Weekend Points system, introduced in March 2026. Every boat accumulates points from Time Trials through the preliminary heats, with the running total deciding heat placement, lane selection order, and which boats advance to Sunday’s Final.
The leading boat by weekend points also earns first pick of lane in the Final, replacing the previous draw-based system.
Weekend Schedule
| Session | Local Time (ET, UTC-4) | Your Time |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 3 | ||
| Testing | 10:00 – 12:00 | |
| Qualifying Round 1 | 1:00 – 2:00 | |
| Qualifying Round 2 | 2:30 – 3:30 | |
| Saturday, July 4 | ||
| Testing | 9:00 – 10:00 | |
| Opening Ceremonies | 10:00 – 10:15 | |
| Heat 1A | 12:00 – 12:20 | |
| Heat 1B | 12:20 – 12:40 | |
| Autograph Session | 12:40 – 1:30 | |
| Heat 2A | 3:10 – 3:30 | |
| Heat 2B | 3:30 – 3:50 | |
| Sunday, July 5 | ||
| Testing | 9:00 – 10:00 | |
| Opening Ceremonies | 10:00 – 10:15 | |
| Heat 3A | 10:45 – 11:00 | |
| Heat 3B | 11:00 – 11:20 | |
| Heat 4A | 1:35 – 1:50 | |
| Heat 4B | 1:50 – 2:10 | |
| APBA Gold Cup Final Heat | 3:00 – 3:15 | |
Venue and Tickets
Racing takes place on the Ohio River at Madison, Indiana, with riverfront viewing from Vaughn Drive in the town’s historic downtown. Combo, race-only and VIP wristbands are available through Madison Regatta’s ticket office at 201 E. Vaughn Drive, online at madisonregatta.com, or via Eventim. Children 12 and under are admitted free.
The weekend also features the Roostertail Music Festival at Bicentennial Park, alongside Grand Prix, Jersey Speed Skiffs and other classes racing the same Ohio River course.
More H1 Unlimited Coverage
Follow every race of the 2026 H1 Unlimited season on Powerboat News.
H1 Unlimited News
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.
