Lake Macquarie sets the stage
The wait is over. The Australian Offshore Superboat Championship 2025/26 fires up at Lake Macquarie on the weekend of 18–19 October. Hosted alongside the Lake Mac Action Fest, the opening round promises two days of non-stop racing and shoreline energy.
Pits will be based at Empire Marina, Marmong Point, giving fans a chance to get close to the boats and crews. For locals, the highlight may well be the Saturday evening street parade, when the Superboats are towed under police escort to Toronto for a 90-minute display. It’s a rare opportunity to see these machines up close without ear protection.
The weekend race programme
The opener features three Offshore Superboat Championship races and three Sport-class events, spread across two days. Each heat runs for 30 minutes with laps of 6.53km distance, keeping the pace tight and the pressure high.
Saturday, 18 October
- 12pm: Sport 65 & 85 Championship race
- 1pm: Offshore Superboat Championship race
- 2pm: Sport 65 & 85 Championship race
Sunday, 19 October
- 11am: Offshore Superboat Championship race
- 12pm: Sport 65 & 85 Championship race
- 1pm: Offshore Superboat Championship race
This structure ensures a steady rotation of classes, with the high-horsepower Supercats anchoring the programme.
Speed, classes, and crews
The championship caters to both professional dynasties and grassroots newcomers. At the sharp end, Supercat Extreme boats boast more than 2000 combined horsepower, racing at blistering speeds. The Supercat Outboard class trades raw grunt for tactical close racing, while SuperSport 85 and 65 categories deliver a platform for family teams and developing drivers.
Entries have just gone out for the season opener.
A championship for the fans
Spectator access is central to the Superboat experience. Lake Macquarie offers free foreshore viewing, with races run close to shore for maximum impact. Unlike many motorsport series, offshore pits are open, letting fans meet drivers and crews between races.
As organisers put it: “Bring the kids, bring the picnic basket – it’s horsepower on water that everyone can enjoy.”
Looking beyond round one
Lake Macquarie is only the start. The series will move south to Wyndham Harbour (February 2026), then on to Geelong (March 2026), before concluding in Adelaide (May 2026). Each venue offers its own flavour, from Geelong’s amphitheatre-style Corio Bay to the rugged waters off Adelaide’s North Haven.
For now, all eyes are on New South Wales. After months of anticipation, the Superboats are back, and Lake Macquarie will set the tone for a season that promises dynasties, rivalries, and the unique spectacle of Australian offshore powerboat racing.
