Scarborough gearing up for P1 Powerboat and Jet Ski Championships 

Final preparations underway...

Final preparations are underway on the Yorkshire Coast to welcome the Dale Power Solutions P1 Grand Prix of the Sea on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May.  

P1 will make its first ever visit to Scarborough to serve up a feast of marine motorsport with its SuperStock Powerboat Championship and AquaX jet ski race series. The double bill of fast, furious and free-to-watch racing will take place over two high-speed action filled days in Scarborough's South Bay.

Scarborough will host the opening event of the championship season, which will see the P1 racers compete for national titles at five venues around the country between May and September.  

The fleet of P1 Panther race boats, which reach speeds of up to 70 mph, and the jet ski riders, will deliver a thrilling experience for the thousands of spectators expected to line the South Bay and all the action will be accompanied by live race commentary.    

On Saturday 30 May, official practice sessions and racing will run from 12.30pm to 4.40pm, including a powerboat parade from Scarborough to Filey between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.  

On Sunday 31 May, action takes place from 1.30pm, culminating in podium presentations for the AquaX jet ski and powerboats on West Pier at 4.30pm. In addition to the main racing programme, jet ski freestyle displays will take place throughout both days; these will be best viewed from The Scarborough Spa end of South Bay.  

The event is sponsored by Dale Power Solutions Limited, Dalby Offshore, Scarborough Business Ambassadors and Scarborough Borough Council, with support from Scarborough South Bay Traders Association, The Royal Yachting Association and Welcome to Yorkshire.  

Cllr Andrew Backhouse, Scarborough Borough Council’s newly appointed Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Culture said: “The Dale Power Solutions P1 Grand Prix of the Sea will be a fantastic weekend of adrenalin fuelled racing to wow the crowds and shine a spotlight on the Yorkshire Coast. It is a new event secured by our tourism team, which aims to attract even more visitors to our borough, provide a fabulous experience for our local families and above all showcase the very best of what our area can offer.”  

Robert Wicks, P1 Chief Operating Officer added: “We are excited about making our first visit to North Yorkshire with our fleet of twelve P1 Panther powerboats and more than forty jet ski riders. Our aim is to serve up a memorable weekend of outstanding sporting entertainment for all the family and for our P1 Grand Prix of the Sea to become an annual event in South Bay.”  

Tim Wilkins, Dale Power Solutions said: “As part of our 80th anniversary celebrations and one of Scarborough’s oldest and most prestigious companies, I am pleased that Dale is the main sponsor and is helping to bring the Dale Power Solutions P1 Grand Prix of the Sea to Scarborough. The weekend will be full of powerboat and jet ski action for all the family and will be another great sporting spectacle here on the North Yorkshire coast. We are hoping to attract tens of thousands of visitors to the event weekend, which will boost support for local businesses and tourism.”  

On land there will be a host of attractions and entertainment for the whole family on the South Bay’s West Pier. There will also be opportunities to meet the powerboat teams and jet ski racers throughout the weekend, as well as giveaways and competitions. Racers will sign autographs from 6.00pm until 7.00pm on the Saturday.  

The schedule of entertainment is as follows:

Saturday

• 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm Animated Objects Theatre Company presents: Flotsam and Jetsam (walkabout performances on South Bay)
• 12.00pm – 4.00pm Honey Drum – Leeds Samba Band (outside the Futurist Theatre)

Sunday

• 11.00am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm Animated Objects Theatre Company presents: Flotsam and Jetsam (walkabout performances on South Bay)
• 12.00pm – 4.00pm Samba York (outside the Futurist Theatre)  

All race and outdoor entertainment timings are subject to change, depending on tides and weather conditions.  

North Bay’s Blue Crush Bar will have a second home in South Bay for the weekend serving a variety of beer, lager, cider, wine, spirits and soft drinks from 10am until 10pm on Saturday and from 10am until 6pm on Sunday.

The bar has also organised live music acts as follows:  

Saturday

• 10.00am – 11.30am Rob Lee
• 12.00pm – 1.30pm Chris Mountford
• 2.00pm – 3.30pm Robert Scmuck
• 4.00pm – 5.30pm John Watton
• 6.00pm – 8.00pm Connor and Nathan
• 8.30pm – 10.00pm Soul Rebels  

Sunday

• 10.00am – 11.30am Rob Lee
• 12.00pm – 1.30pm Chris Mountford
• 2.00pm – 3.30pm Robert Scmuk
• 4.00pm – 5.30pm Callum Marshall  

Completing the razzmatazz of the weekend will be a variety of retail exhibitors.  

For more information about Powerboat P1