IHRA Takes the Helm: A New Era for Offshore Powerboat Racing in 2026

The offshore powerboat racing landscape has changed - dramatically. The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), best known for drag racing, has gone all-in on the water.

High-speed offshore catamarans - the new IHRA Offshore Series

The Acquisitions That Changed Everything

• October 2025: IHRA acquired Powerboat P1 USA and its P1 Offshore division
• December 2025: Closed on F1 Powerboat Racing
• Strategic alignment with the Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA)
• Result: IHRA now controls the majority of organized offshore racing in the US

CEO Darryl Cuttell and Managing Director Dustin Farthing have been clear: unify the sport, grow the audience, bring IHRA's organizational muscle to the water.

The Numbers

• $2 million total purse across the National Championship
• $650,000 in tow money - teams get paid just to show up
• $250,000 PWC purse for the new Pro Watercraft Series
• 7 National + 7 Bracketed classes per a 62-page rulebook

The 2026 IHRA Offshore Series features $2M+ in prize money

Key Players

• Tommy Thomassie - EVP and Director of Powerboating
• Randy Scism - MTI founder, appointed to IHRA board
• Tyler Miller - also appointed to the board
• These aren't ceremonial titles - these are operators who know the sport

Broadcast & Media

• SPEED SPORT 1 & 2 broadcast partnership
• YouTube live streams for free viewing
• Massive upgrade for a sport that's been hard to follow remotely

What This Means

• For teams: more money, more structure, more visibility
• For fans: better coverage and more events
• For the sport: fragmented sanctioning bodies may finally be behind us

Season Opener

The 2026 St. Pete Powerboat Grand Prix - March 27-29 in downtown St. Petersburg, FL. First race under the new IHRA Offshore Series banner.

Stay tuned to OutboardListings.com for full coverage of the 2026 IHRA Offshore Racing Series.

Sources: IHRA.com · SpeedSport.com