2026 Results, Winners & Race-Day Guide
The 11th Annual Bradenton Area River Regatta brought Formula 1 powerboats to the Manatee River alongside Formula Lights and Tri-Hull racing. Below you’ll find the 2026 winners and podiums, the official race-day schedule format, what spectators can expect, and quick FAQs — built to stay relevant all year and easy to update for 2027.
Last updated: Feb 24, 2026
At-a-glance
2026 recap- F1 Winner: Andrew Tate (30 laps • 17:47.615)
- Formula Lights Winner: Shelby Love (11 laps • 6:56.735)
- Tri-Hull Winner: Mason Rinker (20 laps • 11:19.990)
- Format: testing → qualifying heats → finals on Saturday
- Bring: sun protection, water, chairs/blanket, ear protection for kids
Race Schedule (Saturday)
The official 2026 race-day flow featured Formula 1, Formula Lights, and Tri-Hull racing on the Manatee River, including a morning testing window, midday qualifying heats, and afternoon finals. Times can change due to weather and safety, so always verify day-of with official updates.
| Time | Session | Where | What it means (spectator expectations) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00–11:30 AM | Testing (All 3 Classes) | Manatee River | Great for photos and getting a feel for speed/lines. Expect short bursts, resets, and staging. |
| 11:45 AM | Opening Ceremonies | Riverfront / event footprint | Good moment to settle into your viewing spot before the competitive runs. |
| 12:00 PM | Qualifying Heat — Formula Lights | Manatee River | More intensity: timed performance and position matter. You’ll see tighter pacing and faster commitments. |
| 12:45 PM | Qualifying Heat — Tri-Hulls | Manatee River | Watch for acceleration and stability across wakes; this is when the river texture really matters. |
| 1:15 PM | Qualifying Heat — Formula 1 | Manatee River | Peak energy builds here. Loud, fast, and high stakes. Ear protection recommended for kids. |
| 2:15 PM | Final — Formula Lights | Manatee River | Finals are where you’ll see the most aggressive racing lines and strategic passing. |
| 2:45 PM | Final — Tri-Hulls | Manatee River | Expect dramatic speed changes through wakes—pick a spot with a wide view of the course. |
| 3:15 PM | Final — Formula 1 | Manatee River | The headline final. Arrive early, lock your viewing position, and expect the biggest crowd here. |
Note: schedule is presented as a spectator-friendly guide. Always verify final times using the official schedule page.
Boat Classes Explained
Formula 1 (F1)
Think of Formula 1 powerboat racing as the “main event” class: very fast boats, tight competition, and the biggest crowd moments. In 2026, F1 headlined the Regatta’s racing program, delivering a dramatic final with fast laps and aggressive passes across the Manatee River course.
- Arrive early and choose a wide-view spot
- Expect loud engines and quick pace changes
- Keep kids close near race-start energy
Formula Lights + Tri-Hulls
Formula Lights brings close, tactical racing where clean lines matter, while Tri-Hulls add a distinct style of speed and stability across wakes. Watching all three classes gives you a better appreciation of how conditions on the Manatee River influence lines, handling, and consistency.
- Testing is perfect for photos
- Qualifying heats are the best “strategy” viewing
- Finals are the most intense and crowd-packed
Drivers & Stats
These are the 2026 Bradenton Area River Regatta race results for each on-water class. Keeping winners and podiums on this page helps it rank year-round for searches like “Bradenton River Regatta winners” and “Bradenton Regatta results” — while giving you a clean base to update for 2027.
| Class | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Quick result notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formula 1 | Andrew Tate (30 laps • 17:47.615) | Jared Jensen (+3.342) | Jeremiah Mayo (+13.980) | Commanding weekend; strong pace across qualifying and the final. |
| Formula Lights | Shelby Love (11 laps • 6:56.735) | Jake McKee (+7.607) | Brandon Bobalik (+9.526) | Fast when it mattered most; clean final to secure the win. |
| Tri-Hull | Mason Rinker (20 laps • 11:19.990) | Cole Wehring (+8.725) | Neal Marsh (+13.886) | Strong lead; consistent speed across the full run. |
2026 weekend recap
EvergreenThe Bradenton Area River Regatta returned February 20–21, 2026 with a packed waterfront footprint in downtown Bradenton and Palmetto, culminating in high-speed racing on the Manatee River. The 2026 edition featured Formula 1 powerboats headlining the on-water program alongside Formula Lights and Tri-Hulls, plus the Friday night entertainment block and a full Saturday race schedule. In the finals, Andrew Tate won the Formula 1 class, Shelby Love captured Formula Lights, and Mason Rinker topped Tri-Hulls — setting a strong baseline for 2027 expectations and making “Bradenton River Regatta results” a year-round search topic for fans planning next season.
Entertainment Lineup (Official Schedule)
Opening Night — Friday (Rossi Park Stage)
- 5:00 PM — Bella Garland Band
- 5:30 PM — Sweet Fleet (Fleetwood Mac tribute)
- 7:00 PM — Drone / Fireworks Show Spectacular
- 7:30 PM — ABBA Nova (ABBA tribute)
Saturday Music — Riverwalk + Palmetto
Saturday includes multiple performances across the Bradenton Riverwalk / Rossi Park stage and the Palmetto–Riverside Park stage. Times and band order are listed on the official schedule image.