SHOOTOUT OFFSHORE, FORMERLY LOTO POWERFEST/LAKE RACE, PARTNERS WITH POWERBOAT P1 IN 2024
By Christy Wagner, Editor
Official Shootout Photos Courtesy of Brad Glidewell, LakeExpo.com & Lake Shots Photography
In a move to increase worldwide racer presence and improve safety measures for high-performance powerboat participants this year, the recently acquired LOTO Powerfest/Lake Race – recently rebranded as Shootout Offshore – has partnered with Powerboat P1 in 2024. The Lake of the Ozarks’ Shootout Offshore’s May 31st-June 1st event will add to P1’s world-class race schedule (following Cocoa Beach and preceding Sheboygan, Wis.).
Thomas Covington, Director of Business Development with Powerboat P1 (Oct. 2020-present), believes that this newly-established partnership will bring Shootout Offshore to the next level for high-performance powerboaters across the world.
“UIM Class 1 World Championship and APBA National Championship Series racing is the pinnacle of offshore powerboat racing, and it brings with it the biggest, fastest, and loudest boats with racers from Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom, and, of course, the United States,” explained Covington. “Bringing in these international race teams adds an entirely different element to these sanctioned races, and their presence will hopefully bring more national and international attention to watch teams that are only in the United States during certain times of the year.”
Backed by UIM/APBA sanctioning, representatives from Europe will be present to ensure that all safety requirements in place meet international standards for racer and spectator safety. With the chance of becoming a national and/or world-class champion, this point-based, sanctioned race will optimistically attract even more big-name racers this year. It is the hope of Powerboat P1 to encourage speed enthusiasts such as Steve Curtis and Travis Pastrana to attend and participate in the Shootout Offshore event at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2024.
Shootout and MSHP Water Patrol Division officials have recently met to discuss safety measures and course planning. It is the added goal of all to make spectator viewing available from the Sunrise Beach side of the Lake of the Ozarks, where this event will again take place along the 7-mile marker of the Main Channel at Shady Gator’s and Camden on the Lake for its second consecutive year.
Per Leah Martin, Lake of the Ozarks Shootout Executive Director (Sept. 2021-present), Shootout Offshore will host a boat parade along the Bagnell Dam Strip on Wednesday, May 29th, 2024. A stereo sound-off pre-party at Shady Gators is planned for Thursday, May 30th. Friday, May 31st, will include testing and the kickoff to the races at 8:00 a.m. with a drivers’ reception and live charity auction at Camden on the Lake that evening. A concert is also scheduled to take place on Friday evening at Lazy Gators (artist to be announced). Races will resume on Saturday, June 1st, throughout the day with an awards ceremony to follow that night at Shady Gators.
For more information or to discuss sponsorship opportunities: Leah Martin, Executive Director
cell: (573) 776-0132 | email: [email protected]
For more information on events and registration in 2024: www.lakeoftheozarksshootout.com