Professional powerboat race coming to Alton riverfront this summer
ALTON, Ill. – Big visions become a reality in the Metro East this summer. The Alton riverfront is preparing to host a professional powerboat race known as the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship.
The F1 Powerboat Championship will take place on the Mississippi River along the riverfront from June 21-23.
The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, which announced the multi-day event on Friday, says the championship will feature a series of six to eight races. Boats competing in the event could reach as fast as 120 miles per hour.
Officials tout the event as a big boost for tourism in the Metro East. The championship could draw tens of thousands of spectators. It also aims to generate $2.5 million in economic impact for Alton and surrounding communities.
“This is a terrific addition to the sporting events the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau has been able to attract over the last three years,” said Cory Jobe, President and CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. “We want to thank the City of Alton for approving this event and we are looking forward to enjoying a weekend of powerboat racing and community fun along the city’s riverfront.”
“On behalf of the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship, we are very excited to bring Formula 1 powerboat racing back to Alton,” said Tim Seebold, Managing Director of Formula 1 Powerboat Championship. “It will be fantastic returning to the Mississippi River in downtown Alton Illinois showcasing our world class Formula 1 drivers and their technologically advanced powerboats in conjunction with the Midwest Nationals.”
The race will include a variety of popular F1 Powerboats, Tunnel Boats and Tri-Hulls. It could bring some exciting sights for fans, including gallons of water shooting up into the air and some creatively styled turns.
Officials say more details about the race will be released in the upcoming months. For more information on the Formula 1 Powerboat Championship, click here.
**VIDEO FROM FOX 2’s Nov. 2023 story on Alton riverfront**
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