Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Announces Exciting Changes For 2018
OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE
Release Contact: Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director
941-706-3795 / lucy.nicandri@suncoastcc.org
RELEASE DATE: March 12, 2018
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Announces Exciting Changes For 2018
As this historic race site prepares to celebrate 34 years of racing history, it has announced three exciting
changes for the upcoming 2018 Festival taking place from June 23 to July 4. The Festival has a new
name, CBS Sports will be the national television carrier for the powerboat races on July 1, and a
collaboration between Powerboat P1 and Race World Offshore is underway.
The Festival’s name will be billed as the Hotelplanner Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival as a result
of a race series sponsorship secured by Powerboat P1. HotelPlanner.com is the leading provider of online
services in the global group marketplace to over 4.2 Million group event planners globally, servicing an
estimated $7 Billion in hotel booking requests last year.
Powerboat P1 has confirmed that a one hour program featuring Sarasota’s Grand Prix Race (Sunday-July
1) will air Sunday, July 22, on CBS Sports at 4 pm. The program will air in all 50 states and is expected
to reach 65 Million households. An encore air date for the show is yet to be announced. In addition to
this, a one hour program featuring personal watercraft AquaX races, as well as a thirty minute program
featuring the P1 SuperStock Class (28’one-design, open canopy race boats), will be aired post-event on
Fox Sports Florida.
Sarasota’s race contract remains with Powerboat P1 for the 2018 season, however, a collaboration effort
between Powerboat P1 and Race World Offshore has been agreed upon as of today. Race World
Offshore will be providing additional personnel to assist with technical inspections for Sarasota’s race on
Sunday, July 1. The sole purpose of this collaboration was to grow a very strong and consistent platform
within the sport of offshore powerboat racing, not only for the upcoming race season but also for the
future.
“Powerboat racing is a tradition for our race site and the large powerboats are what race fans look forward
to seeing each year. By facilitating this collaboration with Powerboat P1 and Race World Offshore, our
race site hopes to enhance the sport of powerboat racing for spectators whether they watch from the beach
or on television. This year race fans can expect to see a very strong fleet of powerboats competing for the
checkered flag off Lido Beach and also the best in AquaX racing”, said Festival Director Lucy Nicandri.
Environmental protection remains a priority during the races. Powerboat P1 and Suncoast Charities for
Children will once again join forces on a “Share the Beach” Campaign, promoting environmental
conservation and marine mammal/sea bird protection. After the races, Suncoast Charities for Children
will also hold another Lido Beach Cleanup effort which last year drew over 100 volunteers.
Presenting sponsors for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival include Visit Sarasota and Sarasota
County. The Festival is produced by, with proceeds benefitting, Suncoast Charities for Children. Last
year’s event generated $37 Million in economic impact and over $100,000 for the charity. For more
information and updates visit sarasotapowerboatgrandprix.org