Clearwater, Fla. (July 19, 2019) – Coming this September 27th – 29th marks the start of the 11th Annual Hooters Clearwater Offshore Nationals presented by Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, a three-day event on the beautiful sugar sands of Clearwater Beach, sanctioned by Race World Offshore (RWO). Dozens of high horsepower race boats, their colorful teams and tens of thousands of race fans will be enjoying the excitement in Clearwater. Frank Chivas, the founder and promoter of the Clearwater event commented, “The entire Clearwater/ St. Petersburg area and our waterfront community is excited and ready for another great event this year. With many offshore racing sanctioning bodies, we turned to the most experienced and racer trusted organization, Race World Offshore, for a long-term relationship.” Race boats will be coming in on Thursday to get ready for the Friday night Boat Parade & Block Party Presented by Visit St.Pete/Clearwater, where the race teams and their boats will be on display, along with great music and entertainment.
When the race teams arrive into the ‘dry pits’ in Coachman Park, they will set up their boats and prepare for inspections to meet APBA and RWO rules in order to be cleared for testing on Saturday and racing on Sunday. There are many classes of boats of varying length, horsepower and shape that make up the entry field. Single engine inboard and outboard classes to twin engine inboard and outboard boats, with the largest boats packing over 2700 horsepower which can propel them to speeds of over 150 mph in calm conditions on the Clearwater racecourse.
The course is 4.38 miles in total and runs clockwise along the beaches from just north of the Sandpearl Resort to Pier 60. As boaters know, the wind direction and speed will make this racecourse ever changing and exciting for fans as the deck to deck racing takes these boats within inches of one another around the checkpoint turns. Fans that want an up-close view of the race can purchase a ticket and view the race directly from Pier 60 or purchase a VIP pass that already includes access, plus many other perks.
Saturday is test day and the teams are busy tuning and getting their race boats in and out of the water in order to prepare for race day on Sunday. Back in the Powerboat Race Village in Coachman Park, food trucks, beverage trucks and more will be available all weekend long. Drivers and Throttlemen will be available for photo opportunities and to sign autographs for the fans. There will also be live entertainment in Pier 60 Park with a national talent to be announced very soon.
RWO sanctioning body President and Founder, Larry Bleil, comments, “Everyone loves coming to Clearwater and being a part of the races and I for one, am excited to put on the race and witness again firsthand the immense fan and community support this area has.”
Sunday, September 29th is race day and the excitement will be at its peak. The in-water spectator fleet which has included 3,000 – 5,000 boats in the past, will be lining the course for a great view of the races. Based on entries and weather, there are typically three races during the day with proposed starts at 12pm, 1:30pm & 3:00pm, always subject to race day changes. In addition to multiple races in the day, there could be two starts in a race, signifying the start of another class or classes of boats. The after-race party and award ceremony will take place from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at the Marina Cantina on Clearwater Beach.
Frank Chivas continues, “There is something here for everyone at this event. The 11th Annual Hooters Clearwater Offshore Nationals presented by Visit St. Pete Clearwater is a community event hosted in a spectacular location for a national race with the best offshore teams. These competitors come to this event because of what this community has to offer. Not only is Clearwater Beach rated the #1 beach in the country but there truly is no other place like it.”
Race World Offshore, LLC, sanctions national races with strict RWO technical, mechanical and safety rules and in Florida, also under APBA Offshore guidelines. In addition, RWO sanctions the Offshore World Championship in Key West, Florida in November. Race World Offshore, the premier sanctioning body dedicated to bringing safety, competition and sportsmanship for all stakeholders.
Please visit clearwaternationals.com for more information about this event.
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