Dunkirk Cancels RWO Great Lakes Offshore Event

Optimistic by nature, Race World Offshore president and founder Larry Bleil had held out hope, despite having the COVID-19 odds stacked against it, that Dunkirk, N.Y., would be able to host the third annual RWO Great Lakes Offshore Grand Prix. That hope came to an end today when Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas officially cancelled the July 10-12 event on Lake Erie today.

Though the Race World Offshore contest in New York is cancelled, the outfit’s Florida races are still on track. Photo from the 2019 RWO Key West Offshore Championships by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix/speedonthewater.com.

The news announced in an email this afternoon from Hector Rosas of Dunkirk’s planning and development department.

“After much consideration and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Wilfred Rosas is announcing that the 2020 Great Lakes Grand Prix is now cancelled and rescheduled for Summer 2021,” he wrote. “To all of the collective agencies involved, thank you for your understanding and consideration in this matter.”

Though a new date for the event was not announced, Bleil confirmed his organization’s commitment to it as well its events Florida events in Clearwater, September 25-28, and Key West, November 8-16. (The Florida Keys are slated to reopen to non-residents on June 1.)

“Absolutely, we are planning to return to Dunkirk next year,” he said. “It’s a great city and a great race venue.

“And we are looking forward to our 2020 races in Clearwater and Key West,” he added. “Both of those events are in good shape.”

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