Epic Raceboat Parade Opens APBA Series Finale In Fort Myers Beach

If last night’s parade of raceboats in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., is anything to go by, Roar Offshore—the final race of the inaugural American Powerboat Association Offshore Championship Series produced by the Offshore Powerboat Association and Powerboat P1—tomorrow’s competition will be a fitting finale for the six-race circuit.

No one had a better time during last night’s parade than Brit Lilly and Kevin Smith of the LSB/Hurricane of Awesomeness team, which leads the Pro Stock V class in the series heading into tomorrow’s season finale (click image to enlarge). Photos courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

“I guessed there were 5,000 spectators on the parade route,” said Tim Hill, who is organizing the event with his wife, Cyndee, and fellow Southwest Florida resident Mike Shepherd. “The Sheriff’s department told it was more like 10,000.”

At present, 50 teams have registered and are in town for the event. More teams will continue to arrive and register throughout the day. A final entry list should be ready by 7 p.m., according to Lucy Nicandri, the longtime organizer of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix (the third race of this year’s series, who is helping the Roar Offshore organizers and their team of volunteers.

An estimated crowd of 10,000 enjoyed last night’s raceboat parade in Fort Myers Beach.

Race teams will begin testing this morning and will continue to test throughout the afternoon. A “Meet-and-Greet” event is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today at the DiamondHead Beach Resort, the host venue for the event.

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