Point Pleasant Beach Preps For 2017 Grand Prix

The rider buckled himself into the seat of the power boat, adjusted his helmet, then took off into the cold waters of Barnegat Bay. At times, he reached 60 miles per hour.

"They let me drive," Mayor Stephen Reid said. "It was over 60 miles an hour. Boy, it was something."

Reid got to pilot one of the speedboats expected to participate in the return of the Point Pleasant Beach Grand Prix, which will run from May 19 through May 21.

Reid was instrumental in bringing the race back to Point Pleasant Beach last year. It had not been held for many years prior to that. But when he was elected, he vowed to bring the event back.

"This is something I really wanted to do," he said.

The event is sponsored by the host club - The New Jersey Powerboat Racing Association - which has been the host club since the race began more than 40 years ago in Point Pleasant Beach.

"There is probably no single race more famous than The Benihana Offshore Grand Prix," according to the Offshore Powerboat Association's website. "This race was known as the Indy 500 of Offshore Racing and was held in Point Pleasant Beach during the 1970s"

The race course has been shortened considerably since them, from more than 200 miles to four miles.

Roughly 35 powerboats took part in the newly-revived 2016 Grand Prix. The boat races once held a place in Jersey Shore history.

Reid has called the event a "shot in the arm" for Point Pleasant Beach businesses.

Restaurants, hotels and local shops all did a brisk business with the boaters and spectators. Reid is hoping for more of the same this year.

- On Thursday, residents and visitors can "Meet the Racers" at Jack Baker’s Wharfside Patio Bar charity event to benefit K Hovnanian’s Children Hospita/l

- A block party will be held on Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. down Arnold Avenue to Lincoln Race Boats, where you can again meet the racers.

- The Point Pleasant Beach Rotary Festival will be also be held on Saturday. The 2017 boats will go in the water for testing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Parade of Boats will be held at 4:30 p.m. heading north on Ocean Avenue.

Sunday May 21 - Race Day. Races start at 12 Noon Teams prepare for the race behind the Wharfside on Channel Drive. Watch the race from the Point Pleasant Beach Boardwalk.
Winner’s Circle Jack Baker’s Wharfside Patio Bar will follow each race.

Image: Patch file photo