News Summary
The Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat P1 Grand Prix successfully returned to Tampa Bay, showcasing thrilling powerboat racing after a two-year hiatus. Teams competed in various classes, highlighting fierce competition and exhilarating performances. DeFalco Construction dominated the Class 1 races, while CELSIUS and Say Less MF excelled in the Super Stock class. The event also featured a vibrant Pit Party, fostering community engagement and supporting local businesses, alongside charitable efforts for environmental causes.
St. Petersburg, Florida – The Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat P1 Grand Prix successfully returned to Tampa Bay this past weekend, showcasing thrilling powerboat racing after a two-year hiatus caused by hurricane damage in 2024. A total of 53 teams competed in the event, which featured a challenging six-mile course off the coast of St. Petersburg.
In the top-tier Class 1 races, the team of Mike Falco and throttleman Billy Moore dominated the competition in their 47-foot Victory boat, DeFalco Construction, winning both races in a flawless display of speed and skill. Their early leads in races provided crucial advantages, allowing them to navigate “clean water” while avoiding turbulent wakes from rival boats. On Saturday, the Monster Energy/M CON team secured second place, while WHM Motorsports finished third. However, Sunday’s race saw Monster Energy/M CON face mechanical issues that relegated them to third place, granting WHM Motorsports an opportunity for redemption. That opportunity was short-lived, as WHM was later penalized for using an illegal propeller, solidifying DeFalco Construction in first place in the final standings, followed by Monster Energy/M CON and WHM Motorsports.
In the Super Stock class, competition remained fierce with races scored separately for Saturday and Sunday. CELSIUS claimed victory on Saturday, while Say Less MF seized the top spot on Sunday, earning the Triple Crown title for their outstanding performance over the weekend.
The Factory Stock class experienced a surge in participation, featuring the most entries since its introduction in 2022. GC Racing triumphed on Sunday, while they and 151 Express ended the weekend tied in points. GC Racing took home the title on a tiebreaker due to their fastest lap time. The event underscored the growing enthusiasm for powerboat racing in the area, with local teams battling for the highly coveted Triple Crown title.
The Mod V class further demonstrated exciting competition, with Speed Marine achieving back-to-back wins. Their consistent performance over the weekend secured them the Triple Crown for the class. In total, 17 boats competed across various bracket classes, including Bracket 200, 400, 500, 600, and 700, with several teams also claiming Triple Crown titles.
In a notable aspect of the races, the Super V class had two competing teams, but only one successfully completed the race after the other spun out. This added an element of unpredictability, showcasing the inherent challenges faced by competitors in powerboat racing.
The event was not solely about racing; it also featured a vibrant Pit Party that allowed fans to immerse themselves in the festivities. The Pit Party boasted food trucks, vendors, and live music, enhancing the spectator experience and fostering a sense of community. Local businesses were stimulated by the influx of attendees, demonstrating the positive economic impact of such events on the St. Petersburg area.
In alignment with its goal of giving back to the community, the Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat P1 Grand Prix helped raise funds for the environmentally focused P1 Marine Foundation, which plans to donate to the Tampa Bay Watch. This initiative underscores the importance of environmental stewardship while promoting the excitement of powerboat racing.
The successful execution of the Monster Energy St. Petersburg Powerboat P1 Grand Prix signals a bright future for powerboat racing in the region, and the event sets the stage for a thrilling racing season ahead.
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HERE Resources
Monster Energy Powerboat P1 Grand Prix Returns to St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg Hosts the Monster Energy Powerboat Grand Prix
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 News
- Wikipedia: Powerboat Racing
- WTSP News
- Google Search: Powerboat Grand Prix St Petersburg
- Speed on the Water
- Google Scholar: Powerboat Racing
- St. Pete Catalyst
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Powerboat Racing
- Powerboat Nation
- Google News: Monster Energy St Petersburg Powerboat Grand Prix
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
