Race World Offshore Clearwater Contests Essentials

ByMatt Trulio

Unless a team drops out or arrives at the last minute, 39 raceboats will tackle the 4.36-mile, oval Gulf of Mexico racecourse tomorrow at the Race World Offshore Hooters Clearwater National Championships in Southwest Florida. And as previously reported on speedonthewater.com, the event will feature two multiple-class races flanking one solo-class contest.

Tomorrow’s offshore racing in Clearwater, Fla., will begin with the Bracket classes. Photos from the 2021 St. Petersburg Grand Prix by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

Here’s a quick look at the scheduled race/class breakdown:

• Race No. 1, 11 a.m.—Brackets 200, 300 and 400—seven boats total—in the first start, followed by Brackets 500, 600 and 700 with 10 boats in the second start.

• Race No. 2, 12:30 p.m.—Super Stock, nine boats.

• Race No. 3, 2 p.m.—Class 1 with one boat, Supercat with three boats, Factory 450R Stock with one boat, Stock V with five boats and Mod V with three boats. The catamaran and V-bottom classes take the green flag in separate starts.

Live coverage on the Race World Offshore Facebook page will begin shortly before the first race.

After a forced year away from race production courtesy of COVID-19, Race World Offshore head Larry Bleil said he is ecstatic about the team and fan turnout, as well as the extracurricular festivities including a hosted-bar hospitality event—mostly courtesy of Good Boy Vodka, the official vodka of the upcoming RWO Key West Offshore World Championships—catered by several local restaurants.

“Everything has been just awesome so far—everything, even the pit area I was a little worried about, has worked out beautifully,” he said. “I’m excited for tomorrow’s races. And then it’s on to Key West.”

The final race of the day will feature SV Racing in Class 1, M CON, Chariots of Fire and CJ Grant/Graydel in the Super Cat ranks, TS Racing/MTI in the Factory 450R Stock class, five teams in Stock V and three teams in Mod V.

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