Competition between leading American and international powerboat racing teams, unmatched close-up viewing for spectators and a course with major challenges characterize the 36th annual Key West World Championship series.

Slated for Nov. 6 to 13, the powerboat-racing season-ending series pits teams against each other on a 4.5-mile-per-lap course that features both rough and calm water. Over the championship’s three-decade history, the demanding course has helped establish Key West as one of the world’s premier powerboat racing venues.

In addition to testing racers’ ability and endurance, the course layout means boats thundering into Key West Harbor can come within 50 yards of the Truman Waterfront grandstand area, providing fans breathtaking displays of skill and power.

The Key West World Championship is to kick off with a parade of race boats down Duval Street beginning at 4 p.m. Nov. 6.

Races are scheduled for Nov. 9, 11 and 13. Four races are scheduled per day (each day of racing starts at 10 a.m.) featuring boats from multiple classes including the hotly contested Superboat and Superboat Unlimited classes.

Fans can observe the action from several areas on the Truman Waterfront including a VIP grandstand. Other popular viewing areas include harborfront hotels and Mallory Square.

On non-race days, powerboat enthusiasts can see the sleek high-speed boats, watch in-water testing runs and meet racers and crews at the race village on the Truman Waterfront, at the send of Southard Street. Social events for teams and their fans are planned as well, including a Duval Street party with race boats on display.

General-admission tickets are available, as are all-inclusive VIP spectator packages for the Truman Waterfront grandstands and hospitality tent.

For specifics, go to superboat.com.

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