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This weekend, high-speed motorboats with great television lighting and speeds in excess of 175 mph are returning to the space coast. Thunder on Cocoa Beach celebrates its 12th annual event in Brevard County.
The Thunder on Cocoa Beach Grand Prix is scheduled for Sunday off Cocoa Beach, and related events are scheduled for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The racing event, one of the largest in Central Florida, attracts the world’s best racing teams to compete in a variety of classes, with Class 1 racers reaching speeds in excess of 175 mph.
Carrie Bartlett, president and CEO of Thunder at Cocoa Beach, said the race is the first of a series of 8 races on the American Motor Boating Association’s 2022 National Championship Racing Calendar. The race organizers compared it to the Daytona 500, which was the start. NASCAR stock racing season.
Bartlett said he expects more than 60 racing teams from all over the United States and Europe to compete in the 2022 Thunder on Cocoa Beach.
“I believe the farthest team from Australia,” he said.
Among the stars who will participate in the race – Travis Pastrana, one of the world’s most influential extreme athletes. Also competition Steve Curtisworld-famous – and a knight – offshore racer from England.
Bartlett said the event was of particular significance to him, especially after the pandemic.
“Many businesses have been affected by COVID,” he said. “We were greeted with open arms. We fill bars, we fill restaurants, we fill hotels and we donate money to a local charity. ”
Proceeds from the event will benefit Freedom fighter an organization that raises awareness and raises funds for victims of trafficking.
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Another highlight of this year’s event will be the concert of Radio Generation. The band, which includes Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts, Dean Castranov of Journey and Jason Chef of Chicago, will perform at a concert at Lori Wilson Park on Saturday from 5:30 to 11:30 p.m.
The race starts around 10 a.m. Sunday and ends around 4 p.m.
Bartlett said the race will be covered CBS Sports and Sports Bally.
“Our race will air, probably in a month Bally sports and CBS Sports Network,” he said. “There will be a 30-minute special action in the 1st class race and one hour in the rest of the Thunder on Cocoa Beach.”
The length of the race track is seven and a half miles, which spans from Cocoa Beach Pier to Coconuts on the Beach. Sunday’s top viewing areas include Minuteman Causeway, Lori Wilson Park and Cocoa Beach Pier.
“Anywhere between Pierce and Coconuts this event will be a great view,” Bartlett said.
In some places parking will be paid. Bartlett advised spectators to come earlier as the official start of the race starts around 10am
Admission is free, but VIP tickets with access to shaded seats, snacks and live races are available from $ 99.
For more information and to purchase VIP tickets visit thunderoncocoabeach.com.
Thunder on Cocoa Beach
Schedule of events
Thursday, May 19th
- 18:00 to 22:00: kick-off party with high act at Juice ‘N Java Café, 75 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach
- 22:00: Official Thunder on Cocoa Beach after a party at JT’s Social Bar, at La Quinta Inn, 1275 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach
Friday, May 20th
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Check-in and inspection at Racer Village, Flounder Dr
- 5 to 10 p.m.: Thunder at Cocoa Beach downtown Cocoa Beach
- 18 to 22: VIP party at Coconuts on the Beach, 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach
- 22:00: Official Thunder on Cocoa Beach after a party at JT’s Social Bar, at La Quinta Inn, 1275 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach
Saturday, May 21st
- 5:30 a.m. to 11 p.m .: Generation Radio concert at Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
- 22:00: Official Thunder on Cocoa Beach after a party at JT’s Social Bar, at La Quinta Inn, 1275 N. Atlantic Ave, Cocoa Beach
Sunday, May 22nd
- 10 am: start of the first race
- 18:00: Awards ceremony at Cocoa Beach Hilton Ballroom, 1550 N. Atlantic Ave., Cocoa Beach
Christina LaForchun is the editor of Entertainment and TgIF at FLORIDA TODAY. Follow her on Facebook at facebook.com/christinalafortuneon Twitter at @lafortunecor send her an email clafortune@floridatoday.com.
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