The International Hot Rod Association brings its Formula 1 Powerboat Series to the Manatee River this weekend for the first sanctioned event in the organisation’s powerboat racing history. Here is everything you need to know about the 11th Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta.
This weekend: The IHRA F1 Powerboat Series races on the Manatee River on Saturday, February 21. Admission is free. Live coverage streams on the IHRA F1 Powerboat Series YouTube channel.
The regatta runs across two days. Friday, February 20, is an entertainment evening. Saturday, February 21, is race day. Both days are free to attend.
Friday Night: Opening Ceremony
The weekend opens on the Bradenton Riverwalk at Rossi Park Stage from 5pm. The Bella Garland Band opens the evening, followed by Sweet Fleet, a national Fleetwood Mac tribute act, at 5:30pm. A combined drone and fireworks spectacular from Sky Elements and Zambelli begins at 7pm, with ABBA Nova, a national ABBA tribute band, closing the evening at 7:30pm.
Saturday Racing Schedule
All three racing classes compete on the Manatee River on Saturday. Formula 1 tunnel boats are joined by Formula Lights and Tri-Hulls, the latter appearing at the Bradenton regatta for the first time.
| Session | Time (EST) |
|---|---|
| Morning | |
| Testing – all three classes | 10:00am – 11:30am |
| Opening Ceremonies | 11:45am |
| Qualifying Heats | |
| Formula Lights Qualifying | Noon |
| Tri-Hull Qualifying | 12:45pm |
| Formula 1 Qualifying | 1:15pm |
| Championship Finals | |
| Formula Lights Final | 2:15pm |
| Tri-Hull Final | 2:45pm |
| Formula 1 Final | 3:15pm |
| Between Races | |
| Kristen Smoyer Flyboard Display and Jetski Dare Devils | Noon – 4:30pm |
Road closures begin at 4:00am Saturday to support race operations and typically reopen between 8:30pm and 9:00pm after racing and clean-up are complete.
The Drivers
We will publish the entry in a separate article.
Saturday Entertainment
The Publix Free Family Fun Zone runs from 10am to 6pm on the Bradenton Riverwalk Main Lawn. The “Moogician” variety show performs at the Bradenton Riverwalk Amphitheater at 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm, and 6pm. National Stunt Dog shows take place at the same venue at 11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 5:30pm, with National Frisbee Dog shows on the Bradenton Riverwalk Great Lawn at noon, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm.
A Vintage Powerboat Exhibit runs throughout the day at Riverside West Park in Palmetto from 10am to 6pm.
Two live music stages run simultaneously. The Bradenton Riverwalk Rossi Park Stage features an artist showcase at 10:45am, Weeping Angels Band at noon, Francesca Tarantino at 1:30pm, Trop Rock Junkies at 3pm, and Burnouts at 4:30pm. The Palmetto Riverside Park Stage runs Table for 2 at 10:45am, Witch Trails at noon, Sunbleached at 1:30pm, Killjoy at 3pm, and Black Mariah at 4:30pm.
Saturday Evening: Awards Gala
The weekend concludes with a free awards ceremony and concert at the Marriott Resort and Spa Palmetto. Doors open with DJ and food trucks from 5pm, the Beach Boys tribute act opens at 6pm, powerboat awards are presented at 7pm, and the tribute act closes the evening at 7:15pm.
Parking and Access
Free public parking is available across several Bradenton locations. City Centre Garage and Manatee County Garage are both accessible from Old Main Street. Judicial Center Garage provides additional capacity to the south. The Riverwalk Lot at Mattison’s serves the eastern end of the event. Rossi Park itself operates on VIP pass access only.
A free trolley runs continuously from 10:00am to 6:00pm across the Green Bridge, connecting Bradenton and Palmetto throughout race day.
Access note: Road closures begin at 4:00am Saturday. Plan parking before arrival. The free trolley between Bradenton and Palmetto operates 10:00am to 6:00pm.
Watch Live
For those unable to attend, live racing coverage streams on the IHRA F1 Powerboat Series YouTube channel. Powerboat News will carry full race coverage following the event.
Season context: Bradenton opens an eight-round IHRA F1 Powerboat Series calendar. The next round follows in Biloxi, Mississippi on April 17-19. The $500,000 prize purse and racer support programme runs across the full 2026 season.
Full event details, including any schedule updates, are available at bradentonarearegatta.com.
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.
