San Diego Bayfair returns to Mission Bay from Friday, September 18 to Sunday, September 20, 2026, closing out the H1 Unlimited season on the Bill Muncey Course. The weekend also features Grand Prix America, RPM Racing and a car show alongside the hydroplanes.
Jimmy Shane heads into the weekend with 5,129 points aboard the U-27 Miss Apollo, a 180-point lead over Andrew Tate and the U-1 BWR Racing, according to H1 Unlimited. Shane won the season’s first two rounds at Madison and Tri-Cities, the latter capped by his win at the Apollo Columbia Cup, before Tate took the Seafair round in Seattle, keeping the title race open heading into San Diego. Tate clinched last year’s championship at Bayfair, with Powerboat News covering the 2025 finale in full.
Corey Peabody holds third with 3,711 points in the U-3 Tahoe Miss, 109 points ahead of Strong Racing team mate J. Michael Kelly in the U-00 Maverick, per H1 Unlimited’s figures. Both return to a course that has suited them: Peabody won at San Diego in 2024, and Kelly took last year’s race while setting a San Diego five-lap heat record of 152.818 mph, according to H1 Unlimited.
The U-11 Miss FLAV-R-PAC and U-40 Bucket List Racing have also shown pace this season. Jamie Nilsen finished third at Tri-Cities and fourth at Seattle in the U-11, while Dylan Runne brought the U-40 home third at Seattle for Bucket List Racing’s first podium of the year.
Tate leads Friday action as Championship battle tightens
Andrew Tate and the U-1 BWR Racing led Friday’s action at Bayfair, earning 200 weekend points and setting the fastest pace in both testing and qualifying. Tate recorded a top qualifying speed of 166.066 mph, ahead of Jimmy Shane and the U-27 Miss Apollo at 164.503 mph.
Shane sits second in the weekend standings with 180 points, followed by Dylan Runne and the U-40 Bucket List Racing with 160 points.
In the National High Points championship, Shane remains in the lead with 5,329 points, followed by Tate with 5,129 points, a 200-point difference. Corey Peabody and the U-3 Tahoe Miss remain third with 3,811 points as the season finale continues in San Diego.
What Spectators Will See
Bayfair races on the 2.5-mile Bill Muncey Course, named for the hydroplane legend who was the driving force behind getting the racecourse built for the first Bayfair in 1964. It is the longest and fastest course on the H1 Unlimited circuit. Dave Villwock set the class World Lap Speed Record there in 1999, at 173.384 mph.
Beyond the racing, the weekend runs across three sites on Mission Bay: East Vacation Island and Ski Beach, where the boats are staged and the main grandstand and hospitality areas sit, Crown Point, and Fiesta Island. A free shuttle connects all three, running 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day. The Vendor Village on East Vacation Island is open to the public without a ticket.
Tickets and Parking
Single-day general admission is $30 for Friday and $45 for Saturday or Sunday. A 3-Day Super Pass, covering all islands, racing and pit access, is $80, cheaper than buying the three single days separately. A 3-Day VIP Experience at $375 adds a private viewing area on East Vacation Island, hosted lunch on Saturday and Sunday, a wine and beer bar, and preferred parking.
Parking on Crown Point is $35 per day, or $80 for a 3-day pass with in-and-out privileges. The cheaper option is Fiesta Island parking, from $15 per day, with the free shuttle covering the ride in. Active military and reservists get in free with valid ID, with a 50 percent discount for spouses.
Good to Know Before You Go
San Diego Bayfair is a cashless event, tickets and parking are card only, though some vendors may still take cash. Coolers of alcohol are not permitted through the gates, though RVers may drink inside their own RV. Beer gardens operate on East Vacation Island and Crown Point. Dogs are not allowed on site unless they are service animals, and umbrellas and shade structures are prohibited. Smoking is not permitted anywhere in Mission Bay Park.
East Vacation Island and Crown Point are flat with paved roads and accessible to wheelchair users, with limited first come, first served accessible parking at each site. Fiesta Island has no sidewalks and limited activities.
Schedule
All times below are Pacific and subject to change.
| Day | Time | Session |
| Friday, September 18 | 10:15 – 12:10 PM | Testing |
| 12:50 – 1:35 PM | Qualifying Round 1 | |
| 2:35 – 3:20 PM | Qualifying Round 2 | |
| Saturday, September 19 | 9:10 – 10:15 AM | Testing |
| 11:10 – 11:55 AM | Heat 1A & 1B | |
| 1:00 – 1:50 PM | Driver Autograph Session | |
| 2:20 – 2:55 PM | Heat 2A & 2B | |
| Sunday, September 20 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Testing |
| 12:30 – 12:45 PM | Opening Ceremonies | |
| 12:55 – 1:30 PM | Heat 3A & 3B | |
| 3:50 – 4:10 PM | Bill Muncey Cup Final Heat |
Schedule per H1 Unlimited’s official event poster.
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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.
