Lack of funding reportedly forced OPA to cancel the first of two river races Michigan. Photo from the OPA Lake Race courtesy/copyright Pete Boden/Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.

The Offshore Powerboat Association has cancelled its Detroit River IPC (International Powerboat Championship) event, which was scheduled July 8-10 in the Motor City. The announcement was made in a brief press release from the organization, which has sanctioned three races this season.

“We are sorry to announce that the Detroit River IPC sponsorship money needed to produce the event has come up short of the anticipated goal,” the release stated. “We would like to thank those that have worked on trying to put this event together but have no choice but to announce that the 2016 Detroit River IPC is cancelled.”

According to one OPA racer who preferred to remain anonymous, the cancellation conjurs both disappointment and relief. “Three Michigan races were a lot to handle,” he said. “On the other hand, it’s never good when a race site drops out.”

OPA’s next race is the St. Clair River Classic, July 29-31, in Michigan. Five events (including the St. Clair race) remain on the 2016 OPA schedule.

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