The roar of engines, the thrill of competition, and a vision years in the making are converging on the waters of St. Petersburg, Florida. In little more than 60 days, the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Watercraft Series has gone from concept to reality, and the first national tour race, set for March 27–29, promises to be a landmark event for watercraft racing.
A Racer-First Vision Takes Shape
The IHRA Pro Watercraft Series wasn’t born out of a desire to simply add another name to the roster of race organizations. From the beginning, the goal has been clear: build a championship that prioritizes racers, creates opportunity, and elevates the sport as a whole.
Dustin Farthing, the driving force behind the series, reflects on the momentum: “In less than two months, we’ve pre-registered over 130 racers for the first event, and the excitement continues to grow daily. This is more than registration — it’s belief in a new vision. It’s a future taking shape in real time.”
That momentum has only continued to build. As of this week, 148 racers are pre-registered for the St. Petersburg Grand Prix, an impressive number for a first-year series still a week away from its opening gate.
The philosophy behind IHRA is straightforward: structure, professionalism, and transparency. Every decision, from leadership appointments to contingency programs, has been made with the racers’ experience at the forefront. This is a series where consistency and support are not just buzzwords — they’re the foundation.
Racer-Led Leadership and National Infrastructure
What sets IHRA apart is its racer-led governance model. The series isn’t run in isolation by corporate hands; it’s built from within the community. Key figures such as Brad Bohat and Jaymi Lee Bohat lead scoring, race operations, and administrative functions, ensuring that racers’ perspectives guide every operational decision.
Alongside them, Guy Greenland, a veteran of three decades in event planning, ensures each race weekend runs like clockwork. Regional promoters like Billy Champion and others across the country help knit a national racing fabric, connecting local talent with premier events.
IHRA currently has multiple regional promoters aligned across the United States, including organizations like Great Lakes Watercross, HydroDrags, and other established race promoters — all working together to build a more unified national structure for the sport.
The result is a professional, cohesive series that feels big without losing touch with the racers who power it.
From St. Petersburg to Lake Havasu, every race is meticulously organized, with attention to hospitality, pit setup, and fan experience. Farthing emphasizes the importance of treating every competitor like a VIP, noting that city support, festival collaborations, and a keen focus on logistics all contribute to elevating the sport.
Momentum and the National Tour
The 2026 IHRA National Tour is stacked, and the energy is palpable. Pre-registration numbers surged as soon as entries opened in February, with riders and teams from across the globe securing their spots. The tour spans five major stops — St. Petersburg, New Orleans, Lake of the Ozarks, Sheboygan, and Williamsburg — culminating in the Lake Havasu World Cup, a marquee event that will feature a $75,000 purse.
Across the full season, the IHRA Pro Watercraft Series will distribute over $250,000 in total prize money and contingency programs, including $37,500 per national tour weekend — placing it among the largest combined payouts in the history of professional PWC racing.
Each stop offers not just racing, but an experience — food, fan engagement, merchandise, and sponsorship activations are all part of the weekend. The Battle of Williamsburg, for example, unites IHRA, Great Lakes Watercross, and the American Jet Sport Association in a celebration of watercraft racing that brings regional and national talent to a single starting line.
Farthing has repeatedly emphasized that this is just the beginning. While the schedule and locations provide the stage, it’s the racers who make it legendary. With early lineups already reflecting some of the sport’s top talent, the series promises fierce competition and unforgettable performances.
Supporting the Sport and Its Competitors
One of the defining elements of IHRA is its commitment to giving back to racers. Contingency programs from partners like Bullett Racing and Mountain Motorsports put real value into the hands of competitors, rewarding dedication and performance.
That list continues to grow. Industry partners including Fast Powersports, Pro Watercraft, RIVA, AP Designs, Unlimited, 100%, and Broward Motorsports are all stepping in to support the series — offering equipment giveaways, product support, and additional incentives throughout the season. Additional programs are expected to be announced leading into the opening rounds.
From juniors climbing the ranks to seasoned pros competing for the World Cup, IHRA has created a platform where participation and excellence are incentivized.
The Mountain Motorsports E-Ride Pro SR giveaway is a standout, offering racers the chance to walk away with a brand-new electric dirt bike at the season finale in Lake Havasu. Programs like this, alongside traditional prize purses and recognition, underscore the series’ philosophy: if you power the sport, you deserve to benefit from it.
This approach extends beyond financial incentives. From technical support to event communication, the IHRA team is accessible, responsive, and deeply invested in building a sustainable and enjoyable competitive environment. As Farthing puts it: “We’re building this series for the racers and for the future of the sport. We’re just getting started, and the momentum is only going to grow.”
Global Perspective, Local Roots
While the tour is national in scope, the IHRA is building a foundation that can reach international competitors. Organizers are currently expecting riders from approximately eight countries to compete at the Lake Havasu World Cup, with additional international participation likely as the season progresses.
Interest is already building from Europe, Asia, and South America — signaling that the series’ reach could extend far beyond U.S. waters in its very first season.
At the same time, the series maintains strong local connections, leveraging regional promoters and community support to ensure each event feels accessible and exciting for teams and fans alike.
This dual focus — global ambition with local grounding — is what gives IHRA its distinctive identity. It’s not about a single race or a single winner; it’s about creating a cohesive, enduring championship that racers can trust, sponsors can invest in, and fans can follow with excitement.
Looking Ahead
With Round 1 in St. Petersburg just a week away, the energy is electric. Racers are securing their classes, sponsors are activating, and the IHRA team is performing final walkthroughs to ensure everything from pit layouts to hospitality is dialed in.
Farthing’s gratitude is clear. “This community has stepped up in a way I could never have imagined. Friends, family, sponsors, partners, racers — it’s because of all of you that we’ve built something this strong, this fast, and this exciting in just 60 days.”
And perhaps more importantly, there’s a growing sense that something larger is taking shape.
“What we’re seeing right now is the sport coming together in a way it hasn’t in a long time,” Farthing said. “Racers, sponsors, and promoters all believe in the same vision — building something sustainable that rewards the athletes and grows the sport globally.
“For years the sport has been fragmented across different organizations and regions. What IHRA is doing is bringing those pieces together into one structured national platform where racers, promoters, and sponsors can all grow together.”
For those watching from the sidelines, the message is simple: the IHRA Pro Watercraft Series is not just coming — it’s here, and it’s redefining what professional watercraft racing can be.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor, a fan, or a sponsor, the series offers a platform built on professionalism, opportunity, and respect for the sport. And with the national tour underway, the world will be watching as history unfolds on the waves of St. Petersburg, New Orleans, Lake of the Ozarks, Sheboygan, Williamsburg, and Lake Havasu.
For those wanting more, Today We Wrench goes one-on-one with Dustin Farthing, diving into his racing roots, business journey, and the vision fueling IHRA’s push into professional watercraft racing.
