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Powerboat Racing

About Powerboat Racing

August 15th-17th, 2025

Sheboygan, WI welcomes powerboat racing back to the western shore of Lake Michigan for a third year! The Sheboygan MidWest Challenge, a festival and celebration of powerboat racing, will feature the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing. The UIM Class 1 World Championship returns with boats capable of 160 mph. For the first time, Sheboygan is also a host city to the American Powerboat Racing Association's (APBA) National Championship, with 14 classes of fast boats in action. More than 60 race teams are expected to participate with competitors from around the world, including Australia, Italy, Sweden, Canada, the United Kingdom, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas.

Speed seekers, water enthusiasts, and families will all enjoy this competition and exhibition weekend in Sheboygan, WI on the pristine waters of Lake Michigan right in front of Blue Harbor Resort. Bring your own chairs or blankets, food and drinks for watching the races from one of the public viewing areas. You will also find food trucks stationed in various spots near the viewing areas.  

Stay tuned for 2025 details!

Powerboat Racing Parking

Paid Parking

SAT & SUN | 9AM - 4PM

We will have paid parking off South Pier Drive, marked in green, with entrance located on Illinois Avenue. The parking is $20, cards only, no cash. The city offers designated parking lots with shuttles and trolley service as well.

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Block Party

Stay Tuned for 2025 Dates!

Kick off this powerboat racing weekend at the Friday Night Block Party! There will be a beer tent and live music by King of Mars on City Green as well as food and beverages for purchases in the parking lot south of the stage. This is a family-friendly event where you can view the race boats up close and meet the teams! The boats will line seventh and eight streets from Center Avenue north to Niagra Avenue as well as the block of Wisconsin Avenue north of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the block of New York Avenue south of the arts center. 

Powerboat Racing Photos

Stay Tuned for Sheboygan MidWest Challenge 2025 Schedule!

Friday, 2025 TBD

10:0am 5:00pm Pits Open to the Public at Deland Park
1:00pm 4:00pm Boat Testing on the Water
6:00pm 10:00pm Block Party & King of Mars Concert on City Green

 

Saturday, 2025 TBD

9:00am 5:00pm P1 FanZone Open at the end of South Pier Drive
9:30am 11:30am Boat Testing on the Water
10:00am 4:00pm Pits Open to the Public at Deland Park
11:00am 11:30am Opening Ceremony at South Pier Lawn
11:30pm 12:30pm Class 1 - Qualifying
12:45pm 1:45pm Race 1 - Super Stock
2:15pm 3:15pm Race 2 - 450R, Super V
3:15pm 4:15pm Race 3 - Class 1 (Race 1) 40 Mins Plus 1 Lap

 

Sunday, 2025 TBD

9:00am 5:00pm P1 FanZone Open at the end of South Pier Drive
10:00am 10:30am Opening Ceremony in VIP Area
10:00am 4:00pm Pits Open to the Public at Deland Park
11:00am 12:00pm Race 4 - Class 1 (MAVTV - Race 2) 30 Mins Plus 1 Lap
12:45pm 1:15pm Race 5 - Bracket Class 700, 600, 500
1:45pm 2:45pm Race 6 - MOD V, Bracket 400, 300, 200
2:45pm 3:15pm Race 7 - Super Cat
5:00pm   Awards

*Powerboat racing events not planned by Blue Harbor Resort. Schedule subject to change.

Plan Your Powerboat Racing Stay

STAY

From our most popular guest room, the Family Suite featuring two queen-sized beds, to our themed Aquarium and Boathouse Suites or even a private villa, you'll want to book a lakeview room to see the action.

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FALL FUN

The season for slowing down, keeping cozy, and admiring bursts of Mother Nature’s color has finally arrived! You'll discover amazing fall fun at our cool coast with indoor and outdoor family fun.

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LAKE LIFE SHEBOYGAN

We are committed to sharing the Lake Michigan experience of Sheboygan, WI, with our readers and hope you'll visit to experience the lake life for yourself soon.

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DINE

Our restaurants offer a diverse range of options to dine for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks without having to venture out after a long day of racing action on the lake.

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RELAX

You deserve to relax in the comfort of your own private cabana while the kids splash around this Summer. Enjoy a little TV while you sink into comfy seating with a mini fridge full of water nearby.

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Powerboat Racing Hotel Reservations

Make your hotel reservations early for front row seats!

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Sheboygan MidWest Challenge FAQs

What is Powerboat Racing?
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Typically offshore powerboat racing is for ocean-going powerboats at speeds over 160 mph and consists of races hosted by Powerboat P1 USA.

The Sheboygan MidWest Challenge will be held August 9th-11th, 2024, with events throughout each day.

The Sheboygan MidWest Challenge will be held on Lake Michigan off shore below South Pier in front of Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, WI as well as above North Pier.

There are several viewing areas along the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, WI where you will be able to view the Sheboygan MidWest Challenge.

Free spectator viewing is available for the Sheboygan MidWest Challenge in Sheboygan, WI! 

VIP packages are also available to purchase if you would like front row reserved seating with up-close-and-personal viewing of the powerboat races plus hospitality services.

We will have paid parking off South Pier Drive, between Illinois and Indiana Avenues Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm. The parking is $20, cards only, no cash. 

The city also has several designated parking lots with trolley service in the downtown area running Saturday 9am-5pm and Sunday 9am-6pm.

There will also be parking at the UW Green Bay Campus, North High School, and South High School with shuttle service to the lakefront.

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Powerboat Racing News

Power boats return to Sheboygan this weekend for the Midwest Racing Challenge. Here's what to know if you go.
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August 5, 2024

By Alex Garner, Sheboygan Press

Aug. 9 brings race boat testing, a Boat Parade to City Green and a Block Party at City Green.

SHEBOYGAN - The Midwest Racing Challenge returns to Sheboygan’s lakefront this weekend, Aug. 9-11, and the city is planning to turn out with a block party, viewing areas and trolley shuttle services.  

Amid the festivities, the 6-mile race course off the lakeshore, along South Beach, Kite Beach and South Shore, is expected to have 30 or 40 more boats competing than last year.  

“I am thrilled to welcome back this exhilarating event to the 'Malibu of the Midwest,'” Mayor Ryan Sorenson said in a news release when the event’s return was announced.

"It not only showcases our city’s stunning waterfront, but also brings together the community in celebration of speed, skill and the thrill of competition.

"This sense of excitement and unity contributes to the vibrancy of Sheboygan,” Sorenson added. 

The American Power Boat Association recognized the city as the “Best Race Site” for hosting the Mercury Midwest Challenge last summer. Mercury Racing isn’t a sponsor or affiliated with the event this year.  

Last year, the inaugural event also drew thousands of spectators to the area and brought in about $4.7 million in visitor spending.

Expect road closures during the event.

Road closures include the following:

  • Broughton Drive between Ontario to Pennsylvania avenues;

  • The east part of Pennsylvania Avenue near Rotary Riverview Park;

  • South Pier Drive from Fishermans Row to the end of South Pier; and

  • South Seventh Street between Clara Avenue and at least Union Avenue.

A free trolley will take visitors around downtown.

The Harbor Centre Midwest Challenge Shuttle Route will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 10 and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 11, running throughout the city’s downtown, lakeshore and across the river on the south side.  

The trolley is free to ride during the event and can be taken to get near activity and viewing areas.  

Parking shuttles will take people to the downtown bus station, the nucleus of the trolley route, from Sheboygan North and South high schools, and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Sheboygan campus at 15-minute intervals. The shuttle will depart from North at the top of the hour, South at the half-hour and UWGB at both.  

Viewing areas are along the lakefront.  

Viewing areas will be near Deland Park, South Pier, South Beach King Park and the lakefront area between Swift and Dillingham avenues on the south side.  

Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Food, drinks and other concession spots will be located at the end of South Pier, in Blue Harbor Resort, in the field between Illinois and Indiana avenues, and at King Park.

Activities are planned Friday-Sunday.

Aug. 9 

  • 1-4 p.m.: Race boat testing  

  • 5:30-6 p.m.: Boat Parade to City Green  

  • 6-10 p.m.: Block Party at City Green in downtown Sheboygan 

The Block Party area will have a beer and wine tent, several food trucks and picnic tables. Live music from Chicago-based alternative rock band King of Mars will also be included.  

Food trucks featured at the event include Junior’s Eats, Derek’s Curbside Grill, Nina’s Pita Hut, No Pork on your Fork, Terra Verde, E & A’s European Grill, Say Cheese Curd Co., Flips Mini Donuts and Sweet Escapes.

The pit area with race boats and crews near Deland Park is open to the public 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Aug. 10 

  • 11-11:30 a.m.: Open ceremony at a stage in the South Pier lawn  

  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Qualifying round for class 1 

  • 12:45-1:45 p.m.: Race 1 — Super Stock  

  • 2:15-3:15 p.m.: Race 2 — Super V and 450R  

  • 3:15-4:15 p.m.: Race 1 for Class 1, 40 minutes plus 1 lap 

P1 fan zone at the end of South Pier Drive will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pits at Deland Park will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Aug. 11 

  • 10-10:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony in the VIP area on the South Pier Lawn 

  • 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Race 4 — Class 1 MAVTV, 30 minutes plus 1 lap 

  • 12:15-1:15 p.m.: Race 5 — Bracket classes 700, 600 and 500 

  • 1:45-2:45 p.m.: Race 6 — Mod V, brackets 400, 300 200 

  • 2:45-3:15 p.m.: Race 7 — Supercat 

  • 5 p.m.: Awards in the VIP area  

The Sheboygan Yacht Club will host a brat fry near the facility grounds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Uncle Meat will perform 4:30-7:30 p.m., too.  

P1 fan zone at the end of South Pier Drive will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pits at Deland Park will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

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February 7, 2024

By Matt Trulio, speedonthewater.com

Offshore racing fans and competitors on scene for last year’s inaugural Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge in Sheboygan, Wis., left the venue vowing to return—if the event did. The Sheboygan community opened its arms for a Friday night street party and exhibit followed by two days of racing action on Lake Michigan, and the waterfront site and adjacent beaches were simply spectacular.

Not only is the event coming back August 8-11 thanks in large part to producer Powerboat P1, the City of Sheboygan recently was honored by the American Power Boat Association with its 2023 Best Race Site award.

For the racers, Sheboygan was an obvious choice for the honor. And here’s what some of them had to say.

“The venue was great, with the pits and crane all together and close to the race course. It’s always great to have the town turn out for the race, too. They were very welcoming and loved having us there. Winning one of the races helped as well.—Rich Wyatt, owner/throttleman, df Young.

“The shorefront location on freshwater close to the pits was awesome. The block party was great, too. Also all the people were genuinely happy to have us there. Plus, we enjoyed some flat -and rough-water racing.”—Grant Bruggemann, throttleman, XINSURANCE.

“The amazing turnout of fans and spectators as well as the spectacular venue all lead to a must-return for Sheboygan. As a first-time event it was great to see the warm welcome and amazing turnout by the entire community.”—Tyler Miller, owner/throttleman, Monster Energy/M CON.

“The venue was great for the fans, and it was really cool that multiple people we met at the block party worked at Mercury Racing.”—Taylor Scism, driver/owner, TS Motorsports.

Honored by the reward, Sheboygan mayor Ryan Sorenson said the community is eager to have the racers back in the waterfront city.

“This recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our community,” he said in the press release. “We are looking forward to continuing to be a premier destination for the exhilarating P1 Offshore race series and to welcoming back the teams to our shores this August.”

Added Powerboat P1 chief executive officer Azam Rangoonwala, “The event demonstrated the power of partnerships and we are now building on this success to progress plans with the City and Visit Sheboygan for staging this year’s Sheboygan Powerboat Grand Prix in August.”

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February 8, 2024

By Alex Garner, Sheboygan Press

 

SHEBOYGAN — City of Sheboygan was recognized as the 2023 American Power Boat Association Best Race Site for hosting the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge last summer.  

Mayor Ryan Sorenson was presented the award, recognizing the best cities to host APBA races, at the Feb. 5 Common Council meeting by P1 Offshore Adviser Stuart Halley.  

“We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award for hosting the 2023 event here in Sheboygan,” Sorenson said. “We were thrilled to have had the opportunity to showcase the beauty and hospitality of our city, and this recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of our community."

Sheboygan was one of three finalists for the award, according to Sherron Winer, co-chairperson of the APBA Club Support Committee.  

“The race event ticked all the key criteria boxes — including excellence in overall production and officiating, participation and support from teams, local/regional event marketing and publicity, inclusion of the APBA in venue marketing and promotion, creative use of social media and event attendance — and, notably, Sheboygan is the first new, first-time event to be honored,” Winer said.  

The three-day Powerboat P1 and Formula One Powerboat racing event generated about $4.7 million in visitor spending and drew about 43,000 visitors.

Powerboat P1 CEO Azam Rangoonwala said, "Sheboygan stood out because of its beautiful water, lodging options, outdoor recreation space and a local government group that was eager to learn more about powerboat racing and host a high-profile event to show off the city’s pristine shoreline and No. 1 natural resource, Lake Michigan."

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January 9, 2024

By Veronica Valdez, City of Sheboygan

Powerboat P1 Unveils 2024 P1 Offshore And Class 1 Race Calendar

  • P1 race events to be part of the APBA national championship
  • New end of season dates for Sarasota and St. Pete grand prix
  • Mercury Racing event to return to Sheboygan after 2023 success 

Sheboygan, Wisconsin – January 09, 2024 –

Powerboat P1 has today announced its P1 Offshore race calendar for the 2024 season, which sees the series heading to Wisconsin again and returning to favorite venues in Florida. The Sarasota and St. Petersburg grand prix events on Florida’s Gulf Coast move away from their traditional dates around the Independence Day and Labor Day vacations respectively and will provide an exhilarating climax to the season in September and October.

...

In August, racing will return to Sheboygan on the western shore of Lake Michigan for a second year. Sheboygan Area Tourism Zone reported that last season’s inaugural Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge delivered an economic impact of $4.7 million with more than 40,000 attending the three-day festival, and this year’s event in August will be open to all offshore classes. Mayor Ryan Sorenson said: “I am thrilled to welcome back this exhilarating event to the Malibu of the Midwest. It not only showcases our City’s stunning waterfront but also brings together the community in celebration of speed, skill and the thrill of competition. This sense of excitement and unity contributes to the vibrancy of Sheboygan.” City Administrator Casey Bradley added: “This event not only brings a surge of energy to our City but also underscores our commitment to hosting world class events. We appreciate the partnership with Powerboat P1 and Mercury Racing, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact the race event will have on our local economy and community spirit.”

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July 19, 2023

By Mack Carmack, TMJ-TV

For the first time ever, a mixture of Powerboat P1 and F1 Powerboat racing will occur on Lake Michigan.

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — Although P1 and F1 Powerboat racing are typically separate events, Mercury Racing will combine the two for a weekend of spectacular boat racing.

In Sheboygan from Aug. 11-13, the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge will occur at the Blue Harbor Resort (725 Blue Harbor Dr. Sheboygan, WI 53081).

General admission tickets are completely free and can be reserved on their eventbrite. However, for those that would like a more luxurious experience, tickets can be purchased for up-close seating or a VIP experience.

Over 40 teams will be competing at the event, including boating champions from Australia, Italy, and Norway.

“Our race support team and collection of marine products are featured in powerboat races around the world, and we’re beyond excited to be a part of this inaugural powerboat race weekend in the Midwest, less than an hour from our corporate headquarters, for our employees, family and friends, and local community members to experience,” states General Manager Stuart Halley in their press release.

The schedule for the weekend is as followed:

Friday, Aug. 11:
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. - Block Party

Saturday, Aug. 12:
10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. - Racing

Sunday, Aug. 13:
10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Racing
6 p.m. - Award ceremony

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