Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge

The Mercury Racing Midwest Challenge, a festival, and celebration of powerboat racing, will feature the top categories of U.S. powerboat racing. More than 40 teams from around the world will be competing. International marine motorsport promoter Powerboat P1, the Formula One Racing Series, and Mercury Marine, a Fond du Lac, WI-based manufacturer of high-performance marine propulsion, selected Sheboygan as the host city for this inaugural powerboat race. Event Flyer (pdf) | Trolley Route Map

FRIDAY AUGUST 11

Click to view larger

6:00-10:00 pm: Kickoff party at City Green/Downtown. View all the powerboats in the Midwest Mercury Challenge. Dance to the music with the Past Curfew band. Brat fry, food trucks, and beverage concessions are available. Free to the public.

SATURDAY AUGUST 12

10:00 am-4:30 pm: Watch the powerboat races streamed to the jumbo screen at the official event stage located at the end of South Pier Dr. next to Blue Harbor Resort. The outdoor vendor area includes event sponsors, racing teams, local shops, and food trucks. A VIP tent is also located in this area. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at mercuryracing.com/midwestchallenge. 10:00-10:30 am: Class 1 – Pole Race. Watch high-speed powerboats jet across the water at 160 mph as they battle for pole position. Viewing areas along Sheboygan South Beach, Kite Beach, King Park, and South Shore. Bring blankets, chairs, food, and drinks. Food trucks are also available at various locations. 10:30-11:00 am: F1 – Testing/Qualifying/4 Minutes + 1 Lap. F1 powerboats can reach speeds in excess of 160 mph. Watch the qualifying rounds on the F1 Race Course near the Sheboygan Yacht Club. 11:00-11:30 am: Opening Ceremony. National Anthem and Color Guard at the official event stage located at the end of South Pier Dr. near Blue Harbor Resort. 11:00 am-6:00 pm: Sheboygan Yacht Club Brat Fry. Great outdoor viewing for races located on the one-mile F1 race course. Bring a blanket and chairs. Beer garden, brat fry, burgers, and more are available on a cash basis. 11:30 am-12:30 pm: F1 Races. Heat 1 and 2, each 6 minutes + 1 lap of high-speed powerboat action on the one-mile F1 course located near the Sheboygan Yacht Club. 12:30-1:30 pm:  Military Demonstration. View a five unit ribbon bridge demonstration along the south shore behind Blue Harbor. 1:30-2:30 pm: Class 1 – Race 1 – 12 Laps. Watch this challenge on the six-mile offshore race course located along Sheboygan South Beach, King Park, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Bring blankets, chairs, food, and drinks. Food trucks are also available at various locations. 2:30-3:30 pm: F450R Race – 9 Laps. The best view for this race is near the Sheboygan Yacht Club. Bring a blanket and chairs. Beer garden, brat fry, burgers, and more are available on a cash basis. 3:30-4:30 pm: Superstock – Race 1 – 9 Laps. Superstock powerboats race on the six-mile offshore race course along the Sheboygan South Beach, King Park, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Bring blankets, chairs, food, and drinks. Food trucks are also available at various locations. 5:00-6:30 pm: Meet and Greet. View the winning powerboats of the day as they motor down the Sheboygan River and dock at the end of South Pier, near the VIP and Vendor Area.  Get up close to the winning boats and talk to the team. Meet the legends of past F1 challenges and mingle with powerboat royalty.

SUNDAY AUGUST 13

10:00 am-4:30 pm: Watch the powerboat races streamed to the jumbo screen at the official event stage located at the end of South Pier Dr. next to Blue Harbor Resort. The outdoor vendor area includes event sponsors, racing teams, local shops, and food trucks. A VIP tent is also located in this area. Tickets for the VIP tent are available at mercuryracing.com/midwestchallenge. 10:30-11:00 am: F1 Race – Heat 3 – 6 Minutes +1 Lap. Watch near the Sheboygan Yacht Club on the one-mile F1 race course. 11:00 am-6:00 pm: Sheboygan Yacht Club Brat Fry. Great outdoor viewing for races located on the one-mile F1 race course. Bring a blanket and chairs. Beer garden, brat fry, burgers, and more are available on a cash basis. 11:00 am-3:00 pm: Driftwood Sunday Break Party: Take a break from the races and stop by Driftwood’s Sunday Break Party for a full cash bar, brat fry, and other cash concessions under the shade of the outdoor tent. The Flying Zebras band plays from noon to 3:00 pm. 11:00-11:30 am: Opening Ceremony. National Anthem and Color Guard at the official event stage located at the end of South Pier Dr. near Blue Harbor Resort. 11:30 am-12:30 pm: Superstock – Race 2 – 9 Laps. Superstock powerboats race on the six-mile offshore race course along the Sheboygan South Beach, King Park, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Bring blankets, chairs, food, and drinks. Food trucks are also available at various locations. 1:30-2:30 pm: Races F450R Race – 9 Laps. The best view for this race is near the Sheboygan Yacht Club. Bring a blanket and chairs. Beer garden, brat fry, burgers, and more are available on a cash basis. 2:30-3:30 pm: Class 1 – Race 1 – 12 Laps. Watch this challenge on the six-mile offshore race course located along Sheboygan South Beach, King Park, Kite Beach, and South Shore. Bring blankets, chairs, food, and drinks. Food trucks are also available at various locations. 3:30-4:30 pm: F1 – Finals – 17 Minutes +1 Lap. The final race! Don’t miss your final chance to watch the last battle as these daredevils hit a one-mile F1 race course. The best view for this race is near the Sheboygan Yacht Club. Bring a blanket and chairs. Beer garden, brat fry, burgers, and more are available on a cash basis. 6:00 pm: Awards. The champions are crowned. Celebrate with the winners at the official event stage located at the end of South Pier Dr. next to Blue Harbor Resort.