Originally Posted by bwd

Is it true there is no production or v lite boats?

Originally Posted by Wave Crusher

Not likely unless you convert them to jet drives and paint a big SEA-DOO down the side!

Originally Posted by REAL Magazine

This is my 4th year sponsoring the July Races. The changes announced are very exciting and will take the event to the next level. With that in mind this year I threw my hat in the ring to co-chair the kick off event at the yacht club. Lucy does a great job in pulling this event together and she has 100% backing from our organization (www.getrealexclusive.com). At the end of the day let's raise as much money for charity as we can and put on a show that all will remember. Competition, be it racing or business, keeps us all on our toes. Maybe the press release that follows will help inform others:

Exciting Changes For 2015 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival

At a press conference yesterday, exciting new plans were announced regarding the 2015 Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival. This year's Festival not only unveiled a new name and logo, but plans were also announced for two full days of powerboat racing on July 4th and 5th off Lido Beach with televised coverage on CBS Sports Network. Jason Miller, General Manager for OPGP (Offshore Powerboat Grand Prix), announced that Green Light Media will be filming for CBS Sports Network for the entire race series, and that the Sarasota race will be aired during prime time the following weekend after the Sarasota race. Jason also announced GAC Pindar as the official logistics provider for the new OPGP race series.

Azam Rangoonwala, Director of P1 USA, also announced that the second round of the SuperStock Championships and AquaX Series will take place that same weekend off Lido Beach featuring P1’s fleet of eight powerboats and over 40 jet-skis. These races will be regionally televised by Fox Sun Sports and nationally on MAV TV.

This year's race format will include racers from around the world and offer a more "spectator friendly" venue with race team classes running together at one time, a live stream broadcast, an expanded VIP area on Lido Beach, and a race awards area on Lido Beach (July 5th) so that fans can now be a part of the celebration. On Friday, July 3rd, fans will get the chance to see the boats up close and meet the teams and riders before the races at the Festival Parade of Boats and expanded Downtown Block Party. A special "Meet and Greet Who's In The Driver's Seat" family event will be held that same morning at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, offering fans a chance to meet all racers and get signed autographs and photos.

Festival Director Lucy Nicandri stated, "Suncoast Charities for Children produces the Grand Prix Festival, which last year yielded at $26 Million dollar economic impact and over 15,900 room nights. 89.1% of attendees surveyed last year indicated they came to Sarasota over the July 4th holiday because of the Festival and race events. With inclusion of televised coverage showcasing this year's Festival and Sarasota around the world, we hope to boost that economic impact number even higher this year while at the same time provide a net increase of money raised for the charity that serves local special needs children, teens, and adults in the Sarasota area. We are extremely grateful to our Sarasota County, Sarasota County Sports Commission, and The Florida Sports Foundation as our Presenting Sponsors for this year, but our fundraising efforts continue with $120,000 more to raise in sponsorship to cover necessary expenses related to the Festival". For Festival and Grand Prix Race updates visit suncoastoffshore.org

Originally Posted by Xtremeracing

There are different types of fans, and with that said each will do there own thing. The fans that follow offshore will continue to do that and follow their teams. The beach goers will do there thing, we agree so its all good. Both races will be great so not sure what the big deal is about, Sarasota made their choice and SBI theirs no different then the fans. Every racer will do the best they can to put on the best show for their fans. Thats the reason each and every time we strap in to race and put our lives on the lines its to put on a show for the fans.