A longstanding term in offshore racing season, “the silly season” typically refers to what teams say they will during the offseason what actually happens when the green-flags fly. Offshore racers being the passionate folks they are, they make lot of big plans and often tout them in down months between the end of one season and the start of the next.
And who can blame them? They love this stuff. As do their fans. It’s not a bad thing.
It’s just a thing.
But this year, the silly season is ending earlier than it ever has, at least since speedonthewater.com started covering the sport 17 years ago. The first event of 2026, the inaugural International Hot Rod Association Offshore National Championship Series is set for March 28-29.
The first day of spring is March 20. So while the St. Pete Grand Prix isn’t—by the letter of seasonal law—a winter race, it’s pretty damn close. (And with the weather slamming a lot of the country this week, it sure feels like it.)
As of yesterday afternoon, 44 teams were registered for the Southwest Florida affair. And IHRA has two more spring events—New Orleans in April and Cocoa Beach in May—before summer officially begins on June 21.
Given the ongoing nature of last-minute registration in the offshore racing world, there’s a good chance St. Pete could have 60 teams registered before the first race begins.
“That’s what I’m hoping for,” said Leah Martin, the president of the IHRA. “It’s going to be a fabulous race.”
So the silly season is ending mercifully early this year. In a little more than a week, racers and fans will get their sport back.
And not a moment too soon.