Lake Cumberland will be the site for the best in speed boat racing as the first ever Offshore Super Series Powerboat Racing Association makes its Kentucky debut with the Lake Cumberland Grand Prix , May 15-17, at Halcomb’s Landing at Wolf Creek Dam.

The fun lasts all weekend long with spectacular parties, great local entertainment, and autograph sessions with the drivers, not to mention the best in offshore racing with over 30 boats roaring by at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour.

“This will be a great opportunity to showcase Lake Cumberland,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “We hope this becomes an annual event and will tell the country what a great asset we have in Lake Cumberland.”

Offshore Super Series (OSS) boat racing features speeds of nearly 200 mph, boats flying through the air in choppy water and helicopters soaring overhead carrying camera crews and rescue teams. The six-mile course will feature seven turns.  The qualifying runs will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16 (Central time) with racing continuing that afternoon, including heat races and a pro-am race for locals who think they have what it takes to compete. Several classes race on Sunday, beginning at 11:30 a.m., with a concluding awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Racing teams and their boats will start arriving on Thursday, May 14. Race Village will come alive on Friday as teams prepare to test their skill on the race course. On Saturday, there will be test runs, heat races and two class races. The final races will run on Sunday, with the sought after trophy presentation at 6:30 p.m.

Halcomb’s Landing near the Wolf Creek Dam, just south of Jamestown, will be the headquarters for the event, providing great views of the lake and the races, which will be covered by Fox Sports Network and Extreme Magazine.

With an admission ticket to Race Village, spectators can see the boats up close and meet the drivers, their throttle men and teams.  They can ask for an autograph, have their kids sit in the boats and pose for pictures and check out various vendors and merchandise.  Attendees will also want to watch as these 13,000 pound crafts are loaded into the water with 100-ton cranes.

Race Village will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Autograph sessions will be held at the Village when the boats are not racing.  Tickets to the Village are $10 a day for adults and $5 a day for children ages 7-12. (Children under 7 are free.)

This OSS event is supported by the Kentucky Sports Authority, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

For lodging locations in the area, check with local marinas to rent a houseboat, or rent a cottage or lodge room. For more information, visit www.lakecumberlandgrandprix.com  For sponsorships or vending opportunities, call Hilda Legg at 606-383-0122.