Offshore Racing Action Returns to Cocoa Beach Miss GEICO Racing Seeks to Continue Winning Streak

COCOA BEACH, Fla., May 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miss GEICO Offshore Racing Team, fresh off its 11^th world championship racing title last November, looks to show the world that it will be difficult to dethrone the reigning champions.

The Offshore Powerboat Association (OPA) and Powerboat P1 have joined forces to create the newly formed American Power Boat Association Offshore Championship Series (APBA) which is comprised of six world class races at the most desired race locations across the U.S.

The 10th Annual Thunder on Cocoa Beach Grand Prix is the first stop in this unprecedented offshore racing series and will take place May 17-19. Race teams from Dubai, Australia, Norway, and Sweden will attempt to defeat Miss GEICO in the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean in Cocoa Beach, FL.  

Powerboat P1 CEO, Azam Rangoonwala, has strengthened the future of offshore racing in the United States by uniting the international race teams and delivering an expanded and cohesive world-class race series that is split equally between northern and southern state race sites. "We want to stage events that excite and entertain, ensuring enjoyment for spectators and TV audiences with sponsor value and a real economic impact for the host venues," states Rangoonwala.

The freshly painted and rebuilt Miss GEICO will compete in Class One which is comprised of the biggest and fastest race boats from all over the world. All boats in this class weigh 12,500 pounds.  The race engines are sealed and governed by Mercury Racing to insure a competitive stage for racers. The 47-foot-long Miss GEICO Victory catamaran is made of carbon, Kevlar and S-glass for high performance. The boat sports a pair of brand new and recently released Mercury sealed 1100 horsepower engines and can reach top speeds of over 160 mph.

On the water, Miss GEICO is under the control of driver James Sheppard and throttleman Steve Curtis. The duo has been unbeatable the past two seasons and are aiming for a three-peat.  Collectively, these racers have earned numerous international, national, and world championship titles.

The inaugural race takes place May 19 with a weekend of pre-race events starting Friday, May 17.  Race Teams will participate in a Pre-Block and Block Party on Friday evening.  Race activities continue on Saturday with race boat testing and a VIP and Racer party at 6 p.m. at Rising Tide Tap & Table. Races will take place all day Sunday with Miss GEICO participating in the last race of the day at 3 p.m. The race village will be open to the public starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the race and race activities, visit https://www.thunderoncocoabeach.com.

About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company), the second-largest auto insurer in the U.S., was founded in 1936 and insures more than 27 million vehicles.

To make changes, report claims, print insurance cards and purchase additional products, policyholders can access their insurance policy here, connect via GEICO Mobile, phone or by visiting a GEICO local agent.

Homeowners, renters, condo, flood, identity theft  and term life coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc.  Commercial auto and personal umbrella coverages are also available.

Visit www.geico.com for a quote or to learn more. 

SOURCE Miss GEICO Offshore Racing