TOP class powerboating comes to Lancashire for the first time when Blackpool plays host to the UKOBA National Grand Prix this summer.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the promenade during the two-day event, which takes place on July 21 and 22.
A joint intitative by Blackpool's tourism department and the Challenge Partnership, the Grand Prix will see 100 mph racers thunder along the seafront in classes ranging from the OCR (Offshore Circuit Racing) class -- with members of the Jordan F1 team at the helm -- to the 1000bhp monsters of the National Offshore Fleet.
Organiser Rory Power, from the United Kingdom Offshore Boating Association, said: "We are looking forward to racing in Blackpool for the first time. The town has a unique seafront that will challenge competitors while giving spectators a fantastic view of the action.
"The design of the Blackpool course is a first for the UK and replicates the American style of racing where powerboats race a parallel course with the coast, always in sight of land and the spectators."
The start will be in the North/Central Pier area, with boats racing south to the Pleasure Beach before doubling back to the North Shore finish line.
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