JACKSONVILLE, Fla, – Jacksonville’s P1 St. John’s River Grand Prix returns for the third straight year this Saturday. The event will once again be held at Memorial Park but fans will be able to view the race from San Marco as well.
“We want to activate the river is the main goal,” said Chandler Fussell, who is the business development coordinator for the city of Jacksonville. “Anytime we can get the St. Johns river involved in any water activity is great.”
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In the 1980’s these races were held closer to downtown but moving the event to the Riverside area has worked out for both the drivers and the city.
“There’s a big piece of open water here,” said Managing director of Powerboat P1 USA Azam Rangoon Wala. “It’s right next to downtown and it’s a great location. That’s what’s really exciting. The city of Jacksonville works with us really well and they really support us to come here.”
If you’re a fan of NASCAR or racing of any kind you’ll want to check this event out. The boats top out at 80 mph and the races will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“I’ve raced all over the country and all over the world,” said Geico P1 Panther drivers Craig Wilson. “The backdrop is beautiful here. The course is challenge because there’s a big tide that runs in and out. Setting up for a turn is different because we have to factor in the tide.”
In addition to the racing there will also be food trucks and live music at Memorial Park, but there is one major difference in this year’s event. The race will be held on Saturday only instead of both Saturday and Sunday this year. Boats hit the water at 10 a.m. with the first race beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Just as in years past this event is free to the public.