The Brief
- More than 60,000 spectators are expected to gather along the downtown St. Petersburg waterfront this weekend for the Powerboat Grand Prix.
- The event features over 200 drivers from around the world competing in powerboat and jet ski races.
- The powerboats can reach speeds of up to 160 MPH.
- Organizers estimate the event will generate almost $13 million in economic impact for the area.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The St. Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix kicks off Friday, bringing some of the world’s fastest powerboats to the Tampa Bay area.
Organizers expect a massive turnout of roughly 60,000 people. That’s nearly double the attendance of last year’s event.
“There’s a lot of fast equipment moving around all weekend that fans are going to be blown away with,” Dustin Farthing, a professional watercraft racer and Managing Director of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), said.
By the numbers:…