Thanks to a well-organized, eventful inaugural season under the leadership of Tim Seebold—the series manager for the NGK Spark Plugs F1 Powerboat Championship—the title sponsor of the tunnel boat racing series was more than happy to partner with the series again this year, as well as commit to the 2019 season.

The race teams are getting excited for the upcoming NGK Spark Plugs F1 Powerboat Championship season. Photo courtesy NGK F1

Along with the renewal of NGK Spark Plugs, Seebold said this year’s series is going to include six action-packed weekends of racing and a significantly expanded reach in both television and live-streaming. Last year the series was featured as a three-part series on CBS Sports Network, and this year each race is going to have its own show, according to Seebold.

“We are doubling our television footprint with additional cameras and expanding the series to six episodes,” Seebold said. “Each of our six race rounds will be featured on a separate half-hour show, highlighting the weekend’s intense F1 action. Additionally, we will be bringing the adrenaline-filled F1 excitement to our fans via live-streaming, through our partner Greenlight TV.

“All of the race teams and sponsors are very excited about 2018 and the broad exposure this new contract will provide for their racing programs. We are extremely excited to announce that our partnership with Greenlight TV and CBS Sports Network will run concurrent with our NGK contract for the next two years with an optional third year.”

Seebold said the series, which includes F1 and F-Light (and sometimes Tri Hull and J-Hydro) classes, starts in Port Neches, Texas, the first weekend of May and continues on to Gulfport, Fla., (June 1-3), Nashville (June 15-17), Pittsburgh, Pa. (August 3-5), Springfield, Ohio (August 10-12), and Orange, Texas (September 14-16).

“We are excited to commit to sponsoring this racing series that showcases some of the most competitive drivers racing under the NGK banner,” said Mike Schwab, senior vice president of Aftermarket NGK Spark Plugs. “NGK is committed to continuing with the F1 Powerboat Championship racing series and we are really excited for the great season ahead.”

Seebold, who expects to announce more intriguing series news before the season opener, was overjoyed by NGK’s commitment since the veteran driver who retired in 2016, was sponsored by the company for 18 years and never once got a multi-year deal.

“To me, the fact that NGK wanted to step up for two years after our first year says a lot,” Seebold said. “We’re committed to making this sport better for the racers, the sponsors and, most importantly, the fans. We can’t wait to return to the shores belonging to some of our most loyal race fans.”

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