SARASOTA – We’ve been talking about the P1 Power Boat races all week, and they are finally upon us.
“We really do enjoy it here in Sarasota, great people, great town,” said Crew Chief of MCON Racing, Jake Leckliter.
60 teams with more than of 120 drivers from all over the world are expected to compete in this weekend’s P1 Powerboat Grand Prix on North Lido Beach. One team from Kansas, M CON racing has been competing since 2016, the team won the national championship last year, and while it is a competition, it’s also a fun hobby.
“The love for boats added with being next to someone racing, basically limited rules and throttles wide open, and trying to get around the guy in front of you, it’s a pure adrenaline rush, and the feel for wanting to race,” said Leckliter.
It’s not all fun and games though…powerboat racing is a dangerous sport, especially for a crew chief and their partner.
“You want to be safe, you want to come back to your family, and everything like that, there is a real danger, that’s a lot of the nerves I think, but once they drop the flag its pretty much over for him and its game on, he’s ready to win,” said Leckliter.
Powerboats can get up to 140 mph, with an average of 130 mph in calm waters.
“When we get into the bumpy stuff where might only see 100 mph, which is pretty insane so they see 3 and a half, 4 footers, and we just plan accordingly to kind of set up a boat for the right seas, which is pretty big for the class since they’re all built relatively the same,” said Leckliter.
No matter who wins, it will be a fun time for everyone on the Suncoast.
“Every aspect of the weekend is free, Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can all come out to enjoy it, it’s a family friendly event we want everyone to come out and enjoy it, free of charge,” said Power Boat Races Spokesperson, Cole McGowen.
The P1 Power Boat Grand Prix kicks off today at 6PM and runs through Sunday July 3rd on North Lido Public Beach.
For more information you can visit their website here.