These days, historic Miami Marine Stadium on Virginia Key is better known as the problematic home of the Miami International Boat Show than a waterfront venue completed in 1963 to showcase powerboat racing. But the 55-year-old, graffiti-drenched 6,556-outdoor-seat site sprang to life last weekend with the one-design Powerboat P1 SuperStock class—single outboard-engine V-bottoms—and Aqua X personal watercraft competition.
Powerboat racing action returned to Miami Marine Stadium last weekend. Photos courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
Wildlife on course—namely manatees, turtles and dolphins—made for abbreviated competition on Saturday. But in Sunday’s race, the returning Powerboat P1 SuperStock champion team Frank & Al’s Pizza claimed first place, with GEICO Racing taking second place and Visit Jacksonville finishing third.
According to a press release from Powerboat P1, its principals are “in talks with the City of Miami secure the event again on next year’s calendar.” And that’s a good thing, because while Miami Marine Stadium likely never will return to its glory days racing events, seeing the venue come to life—especially through the lens of speedonthewater.com chief photographer Pete Boden—brings back some of its old magic.
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