Mohave County Events Calendar
Events, Entertainment & Things To Do in Lake Havasu, Laughlin, Flagstaff, Kingman, Bullhead, Parker, Needles & The Entire Tri-State Area.
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Lake Havasu Classic Outboard Championships at The Nautical in Lake Havasu
October 13, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
The return of this epic powerboat racing event will be conducted by the prestigious Formula 1 Powerboat Championship, renowned for its heart thumping high-horsepower racing excitement performed by world class international powerboat racing stars!
The race headquarters and free fan viewing will be at the Nautical Beachfront Resort at 1000 McCulloch Blvd. N, overlooking Thompson Bay, which long-time powerboat fans will remember as being the original location of the championships dating back to 1964.
Racing fans will enjoy three full days of action-packed excitement featuring three classes each day: Formula 1; Tri-Hull and Formula Lights.
The city’s founder, Robert P. McCulloch, Jr. was the first to initiate the outboard championships at Lake Havasu in 1964, and with his visionary skills, the race soon became a Lake Havasu Thanksgiving weekend tradition, drawing competitors from every corner of the globe for high stakes cash and prizes. Lake Havasu City continued to host the Lake Havasu Classic Outboard Championships through 1990.
Where to Watch by Land:
Click here to sign up to volunteer for the event!
Race headquarters and free “front and center” racetrack spectating areas that allow fans access to the best racecourse viewing at the Nautical Beachfront Resort, 1000 McCulloch Blvd. N, overlooking Thompson Bay – which long-time powerboat participants and fans will remember as the original championship event location dating back to 1964.
Other land-viewing options that will be more distanced from the course (but not optimal viewing of the actual race):
Where to Watch by Water:
Lake Havasu’s Thompson Bay offers the perfect location centrally located between the Nautical Beachfront Resort, Lake Havasu Marina, the London Bridge Beach, and Rotary Community Park. This no wake zone allows for non stop racing action with spectator boat parking directly outside the race course safety zone on three sides.
Live-Streamed racing action will be produced by Live Race Media to air “Live” throughout the race weekend via the F1 Powerboat Championship’s Facebook page, series website, and You Tube page.
VIP Viewing Area
Get the best seats in the house within the our exclusive VIP Experience. Located at the Lakeside Terrace adjacent to the Turtle Grille at the Nautical Beachfront Resort, the VIP Experience is situated between the official judges stand and turn one under 500 feet from the racing action. See the Formula 1 boats come roaring to life as the Le Mans dead engine start is just to your right. Keep cool in the shaded tent area while enjoying catered food and drinks. Includes VIP Parking Area, Official Merchandise Discounts, Driver Appearances, Exclusive Seating Area, Preferred Podium Awards Viewing.
Pit Area Access
View the teams and their crews in action all weekend long in the cold pit area as they prepare for competition. This unique opportunity is an eye-opening experience for any fan giving them access to the inner workings that go on behind the scenes.
Vintage Boat Display
The Vintage boat display at racing headquarters, the Nautical Beachfront Resort for both Saturday and Sunday’s racing action will allow viewing of these classics for all. Fans and racers alike will have the unique opportunity to view powerboat racings historically significant boats on display during the Friday Night Beach Party. The combination of these boats and the men who drove them will make for an entertaining family fun evening.
Vendor Displays
Patronize our supporting vendors as they display products onsite for your convenience. Talk directly to the experts at the Nautical Beachfront Resort to answer your specific questions to assist your purchase. We will have event and series memorabilia and apparel available for purchase
Friday Night Pit Party Meet and Greet
Reunion attendees and race fans will have the opportunity to meet their favorite driver during the Friday Night Pit Party Meet and Greet from 4-8 pm in the pits at the Nautical Beachfront Resort. Everyone will have plenty of time to spend with the drivers and crews to learn more about them and the equipment they race. Autographs, pictures, along with fan appreciation memorabilia assures everyone will leave with a smile on their face. Vintage boat display, food, refreshments, vendors, and more! This special event will be free and open to the public.
RV Camping
This unique view from Lighthouse Point gives campers an elevated vantage point of the entire race course. Have all of your recreational vehicles ammenaties at you finger tips.Note. No Electric or Waste hook ups, No open flame cooking
2023 Lake Havasu Classic Outboard Championships Tentative Schedule
Friday
12p Testing Formula 1
1p Testing Formula Lights
1:45p Testing Tri Hull
2p Testing Formula 1
4p Friday Night Pit Party Meet and Greet
Saturday
9a Tri-Hull Testing
9:30a Formula Lights – Testing/Qualifying/ 3 min. +1 lap
10:30a Formula 1 – Testing/Qualifying/ 4 min. + 1 lap
11:30a Driver’s Meeting All Classes / 2 seater Rides
12:30p Opening Ceremonies
1p Tri-Hull – Heat #1 / 7 laps / draw for position
1:30p Formula 1 – Group A – Heats #1 / 6 min. + 1 lap
1:50p Formula 1 – Group B – Heats #1 / 6 min. + 1 lap
2:15p Formula Lights – Heat #1/ 6 min. + 1 lap
3p Tri-Hull – Heat #2 / 7 laps / reverse order of points
3:30p Formula Lights – Heat #2 / 6 min. + 1 lap / reverse order of cumulative points
4p Formula 1 – Group A – Heats #2 / 6 min. + 1 lap/ reverse order of cumulative points
4:30p Formula 1 – Group B – Heats #2 / 6 min. + 1 lap/ reverse order of cumulative points
5:30p Reunion Poolside Happy Hour
Sunday
9a Formula Lights – Heat #3/ 6 min. + 1 lap / reverse order of cumulative points
10a Tri-Hull – Heat #3/ reverse order of cumulative points
11a Opening Ceremonies
11:45a Tri-Hull – Heat #4 / 7 laps / reverse order of cumulative points
12p Formula 1 – Group A – Heat #3 / 6 min. + 1 lap/ reverse order of cumulative points
12:30p Formula 1 – Group B – Heat #3 / 6 min. + 1 lap/ reverse order of cumulative points
1p Formula Lights – Final / 15 min. + 1 lap
1:30p Tri-Hull Final- APBA North American Champ. / 20 laps
2:15p Formula 1 Final- APBA North American Champ. / 17 min. + 1 lap
3:15p Awards immediately following race conclusion
