Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Safety Reminders, Road Closures

SARASOTA, FL — With the 40th annual Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix set for this weekend, Sept. 14 and 15, at Lido Beach in Sarasota, authorities are reminding residents and visitors of road closures, parking availability and safety measures.

Race festivities will attract thousands of people to the city. The Sarasota Police Department reminds everyone if you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity or behavior to law enforcement immediately.

Road Closures/Parking

Vehicles not removed by the posted time will be towed at the owner’s expense. For information on towed vehicles, call Upman’s Towing at 941-365-7084.

• Van Wezel Parking Lots/Van Wezel Way from East End to 10th Street
  • Closed from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, until 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.
• Lido Beach Parking Lots
  • The front two rows of the parking lot at Lido Beach are reserved for the event from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, until 10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.
  • South parking lot of Lido Beach is reserved for emergency and event personnel from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, until 10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15.
• P-1 Racing Pit Party – Friday, Sept. 13 – 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.
  • The Pit Party will take place in the dry pit area in the Van Wezel parking lot.

Because parking spaces are limited, organizers encourage those attending to carpool. Illegally parked vehicles are subject to ticketing. Vehicles blocking private driveways are subject to towing.

Anticipate long delays from the beach area after the races. When leaving the beach viewing area, expect an exit time of more than one hour.

The Sarasota Bay Runner Trolley is a free transportation option. The hours and route map can be found online at https://sarasotabayrunner.com/trolley-route/

Centennial Park / Boat Ramp Closures

Centennial Park Boat Ramp Closure - Closed from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, until 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.

This area will be the staging area for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. There will be no boat ramp access during this time. A suggested alternative boat ramp includes Ken Thompson Park on City Island and various boat ramps in Manatee County and southern Sarasota County.

New Pass Closure

On the water, New Pass will be closed Saturday, Sept. 14, and Sunday, Sept. 15, during the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. The pass will be closed west of the New Pass bridge. Boaters will still be able to access the cove.

Lido Beach Hours

The Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires that all beach furniture and equipment be removed from the beach nightly, until sunrise the following morning. Lido Key public beaches will be closed to beachgoers from 11 p.m. until sunrise. This means Lido Key beach will be closed to all beachgoers, race spectators, and beach equipment until sunrise, which is approximately 6:30 a.m., during events.

The Sarasota Police Department will enforce closure times to protect the safety of all beachgoers, including marine turtles. To protect the environment, spectators are asked to stay off dunes along Lido Beach. Dogs are not allowed on Lido Beach.

Beach Equipment & Marine Turtle Protection

In addition to expanded marine, foot and vehicle patrols, the Sarasota Police Department will be protecting public safety during events by posting signs prohibiting beachgoers from storing and leaving unattended personal property on Lido Beach. Beach furniture and other beach equipment, toys, or trash, left on the beach overnight during marine turtle nesting season can pose a serious entanglement hazard and obstacle for marine turtles and their hatchlings.

The Sarasota County Sea Turtle Protection Ordinance requires any “temporary structures, including but not limited to beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas, which have the potential for entrapment of marine turtles and which may interfere with the use of the natural beach environment for nesting habitat, be removed from the beach nightly, from sunset to sunrise.”

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the Sarasota Police Department, Sarasota County Parks Department, and P1 Offshore organizers are partnering to protect endangered marine turtles and ask for the public’s help in making this a safe event for all.

Wildlife Protection

The Sarasota Police Department is conducting enhanced enforcement measures to ensure the conservation and protection of several threatened species of native wildlife of Lido Key, efforts complemented by the work of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

Marine Turtles, Black Skimmers, Least Terns, and Snowy Plovers all share Lido Beach and are protected under state and federal law. Beachgoers should be aware of posted signage and fencing and stay away from marine turtle nests and seabird nesting zones. It is important not to enter any posted areas and to avoid any behaviors that may disturb the wildlife.

Disturbances can cause birds to leave their eggs and chicks unattended, making them vulnerable to predators and overheating. Sarasota Police officers will collaborate with Audubon and Mote Marine volunteers to patrol nesting locations to protect the wildlife on Lido Key.

Anyone who observes any stranded, sick, or injured marine turtles or mammals can contact Mote’s Stranding Investigations Program, a 24-hour response program in Sarasota and Manatee counties, at 1-888-345-2335.