F2 Powerboat racing coming to Florida's West Coast

[Serious News]

Tuesday 23rd December 2014

Bradenton will host the first ever Riverwalk Regatta in February, bringing the high octane sport of powerboat racing to Florida's West Coast.

Taking place February 7, it is based on Pittsburgh's popular Three Rivers Regatta, and features a mile-long loop course with half-mile straightaways and hairpin turns on the Manatee River.

Supercharged tunnel boats can accelerate to 100 mph in just four seconds and the race program starts with time trials and qualifying rounds, leading up to the championship main event.

"We are thrilled to bring F-2 Powerboat racing to the area as part of the Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta," said Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"We make every effort to plan can't-miss events and activities in the Bradenton Area year-round and are sure, like Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Regatta, the Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta will become a favorite annual event for residents and visitors alike."

The race is just one aspect of a two-day festival of entertainment and sport in the area. From February 6-7, visitors can watch dispalys of Xpogo - an extreme sport of high-flying stunts, hydro-cross jet ski racing, fireworks and Jefferson Star Ship live in concert as part of their 40th Anniversary Tour at the Riverwalk Pavilion and Event Area.


http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2014694

[Underdog88]

Might be a good time to head back down:)
Sounds like a good event. Good luck to them.

[Serious News]

http://youtu.be/vsgqrfmPsfo

[Ratickle]

F-2 boats are cool. I never drove one, but always wanted to. Fastest tunnel I drove was the 45SS's. I was gonna buy another from a friend when he moved up into the 60's, but Terri watched one race and said no way, I'd kill myself.....

[Serious News]

The Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta

February 7th 2015!

Featuring Powerboat Superleague Racing... The first annual Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta brings an inviting, exciting and engaging roar to the shores of Bradenton and Palmetto. An “All Free” family festival of world-class entertainment and performances guaranteed to delight and thrill audiences of all ages including:
•Hydro-cross jet ski
•Concerts
•Extreme pogo shows
•BMX stunt performers
•Food Festival
•Kids Zone
•Frisbee® dogs
•Falcon 5K River Run & 1-Mile Fun Run


The city’s newest festival originated through Bradenton’s sister-city relationship with Pittsburgh, PA and the world famous Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, the country’s largest inland regatta and top venue on the powerboat racing circuit. See below for a highlight glimpse of that event and a taste of what’s coming to the Bradenton Area!


http://youtu.be/cYs1d7TPG3o

http://www.bradentongulfislands.com/riverwalk-regatta/

[Serious News]

Inaugural Riverwalk Regatta kicks off exciting 2015

By ELLIOTT FALCIONE

Manatee County government is truly excited to partner with the cities of Bradenton and Palmetto for the inaugural Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta.

This free, family, fun event -- a signature event for our community that showcases the beautiful Manatee River and the mile and a half Riverwalk -- will bring an estimated 100,000 attendees from around the state of Florida and beyond.

The estimated crowd size will generate an influx of about $9 million that not only will bring revenues to our local businesses but also will expose our community to first-time visitors who hopefully will plan a future vacation to our destination based on their positive experience with the regatta.

Modeled after the Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta, the largest inland regatta in the United States, the Formula 2 powerboat racing event will feature top Superleague drivers who will surpass 100 mph and hit four-plus Gs in their turns as they navigate a mile-long course set up along the Manatee River.

In addition to the powerboat racing (which will include time trials, qualifying rounds and a championship) the Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta will provide opportunities to enjoy additional on-shore entertainment suitable for all ages, including an extreme stunt show performed by XPOGO athletes, a high-energy canine show and frisbee catching routine, hydro-cross jet ski racing, a Jefferson Starship concert and a choreographed fireworks finale by Zambelli Fireworks.

Months of work have gone into the planning and preparation for the event, and we anticipate that, like Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Regatta, the Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta will become a favorite annual event attracting quality visitors in search of family-friendly fun entertainment for all ages.

A complete schedule of events and more information on The Bradenton Area Riverwalk Regatta can be found: BradentonAreaRegatta.com.

Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, can be reached at Elliott.Falcione@BACVB.com or 941-729-9177 ext. 222.

Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/12/08/5518784/inaugural-riverwalk-regatta-kicks.html#storylink=cpy

[Ratickle]

It's too close to the boat show for us to go down. I still need to get Terri to retire.....

[Serious News]

Jefferson Starship to headline Formula 2 regatta on Manatee River in Bradenton
BY MARK YOUNG

BRADENTON -- Jefferson Starship will take the stage at Riverwalk for a promised rock concert during the Formula 2 powerboat racing regatta on the Manatee River in February, organizers confirmed Tuesday.

The band, celebrating its 40th anniversary as Jefferson Starship and 50th anniversary as Jefferson Airplane, has pledged to play some of their biggest hits under both names when they take the stage at 4:30 p.m. Feb. 7 and play about 90 minutes.

Shortly after the band takes their final bow, Zambelli Fireworks will launch a show set to patriotic music at 6:30 p.m.

It "will be the largest fireworks show ever seen on the Sun Coast," said Mike Fetchko, Integrated Strategic Marketing president and regatta

organizer.

Fetchko said Zambelli is using the same design team that formulated shows for the Olympics and Super Bowl.

The fireworks and concert are just two of several events that will last throughout the day Saturday, which is preceded by a Christian concert on Feb. 6 in Palmetto for which the talent has not yet been named.

The entire event schedule is now available on line at bradentonarearegatta.com.

Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione updated commissioners on the regatta's progress, saying the June authorization to use $175,000 in tourism tax dollars to promote the event is justified within the county's goal of driving more tourism into the mainland areas.

"The islands are a big component, but we have to grow tourism somewhere and the two urban core redevelopment areas of Bradenton and Palmetto, as well as Lakewood Ranch, work together to create assets and drive tourism to the mainland," he said.

Falcione said as many as 100,000 people could attend the regatta, creating an $8 million to $10 million economic impact.

Bradenton Downtown Development Authority Executive Director David Gustafson said he expects the environmental permits within days and everything is on pace for the Florida Department of Transportation permit to close the Green Bridge throughout Saturday's events.

Commissioners praised the effort and for overcoming difficult challenges as the regatta plans inch closer to finalization. District 5 Commissioner Vanessa Baugh said she particularly loved that the event will be free and focused on family as a dry event.

Commission Chair Larry Bustle said his biggest question from residents has been about the safety of manatees. Gustafson reiterated that all of the permitting agencies have said February is the perfect time of year to hold an event on the river.

"We will have a helicopter in the air with Buddy Powell, who has been doing manatee studies for over 30 years. We'll have two spotters on the bridge and one on the water. If they spot anything, they will relay to Buddy who has the authority to stop the race until the manatee passes.

"The manatees, turtles and everything down to the little sawtooth fish will be respected," said Gustafson. "We won't leave any stone unturned."

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.
Read more here: http://www.bradenton.com/2014/11/19/5482363/jefferson-starship-to-headline.html#storylink=cpy

[Ratickle]

What's a little sawtooth fish?

[Serious News]

What will be on the Water at Riverwalk Regatta?

Along with the extreme events on the Riverwalk, there will be some fun on the water. The Formula 2 Powerboat Superleague will be on the Manatee River with plenty of races. There will also be Jet Ski races from the HydroCross Winter Series and multiple water ski shows. This will be a great place to go for some crazy water entertainment.

http://www.atchleyrealty.com/blog/upcoming-event-riverwalk-regatta.html