In a typical offshore racing season, Key West, Fla.-based Race World Offshore already would have produced at least one powerboat race by now. But with the International Hot Rod Association entering the sport as both a race producer and a sanctioning body—and currently holding off announcing future events beyond the Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge set for August 7-9 in Sheboygan, Wis.—this season has been anything but typical.
Super Cat-class racers Michael Howe and Cade Wilson of the Howe2Live Offshore team are committed to competing this weekend in Atlantic City. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
So the Race World Offshore-produced Union Internationale Motonautique World Championship Series begins this weekend with the Atlantic City Sports Offshore Grand Prix. The New Jersey affair is one of three Race World Offshore event that comprise the UIM series.
“We have all kinds of people coming—I don’t know what the boat count is but it’s looking really good,” said Larry Bleil, the head of Race World Offshore, who is already at the Atlantic City Golden Nugget Resort and Casino host-venue. “It was rough the other day when I got here, but it looks like it’s going to be better than what I anticipated.”
Fans can expect three to five Super Cat teams, four to five Super Stock teams and four Mod V teams to compete this weekend.
“Nobody registers in advance,” Bleil added, then laughed. “So I think there are going to be some pleasant surprises.”
Race World Offshore will livestream the Atlantic City affair—as it will all UIM World Championship Series events—on its Facebook Page and YouTube channel. Aerial footage for the broadcast will be provided by the XINSURANCE Heli-Cam at all Race World Offshore events this year, including the Key West Worlds in early November.