Cocoa Beach Races In Strong Resurrection Mode

The past two years have been challenging for Thunder On Beach. Events surrounding the 2025 Central Florida Coast affair spurred litigation between the organizers and its then would-be backer XINSURANCE. So acrimonious were their disagreements that the latter even named the nonprofit I Am A Freedom Fighter anti-human-trafficking group—the event’s primary charitable beneficiary—in its lawsuit.

Offshore racing is looking good to return to Cocoa Beach, Fla., next year. Photo from Thunder On Cocoa Beach 2026 by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix .

Things went from bad to worse this year. The International Hot Rod Association purchased the event and its assets before the season began. Ostensibly at least, that was good news. But the now-defunct organization left a trail of debt behind in its wake from the 2026 event—and some $30,000-plus of it remains unpaid—before it went out of business a few weeks later.

Race directors Kevin Pruett, Kerry Bartlett, Rich Hensel and Mike Schwarz doubted the event, which has an average economic impact of $30 million would return next year. Or ever, for that matter

Now the forecast has improved to the point where Pruett and Race World Offshore president Larry Bleil, who plans to produce the 2027 event under American Power Boat Association and Union Internationale Motonautique, are bullish on it actually happening next year.

Two essential developments paved the way. First and foremost, both lawsuits were dropped a couple of weeks ago. Second, the powers that be in Cocoa Beach, perhaps the most important being Port Canaveral, asked the organizers to submit a financial plan for the 2027.

“We have a meeting this Friday to meet with the Port to discuss all the data we need to submit by the end of the month,” Pruett explained. “One of the things they want, after the experience with IHRA, is $20,000 in an escrow account.

“The ball is in our hands right now to get them the data so contingent approval, which we have, can go to official approval,” he added.

One thing definitely will change: the event’s name. Because it was sold to IHRA and despite that the organization is out of the sport, legal issues will prevent the organizers from using it. The “Space Coast Grand Prix” name has been floated as a handle, yet no final decision has been made.

Founded and operated by Pruett’s wife, Jenny, I Am A Freedom Fighter group, might be the 2027 event’s benefitting charity. It will not be involved in any organizational capacity.

What won’t change is the philosophy that drives the organizers.

“For us, it is all about the racers,” Pruett emphasized. “You cannot put on a good race unless you take of the racers. The racers bring the fans. And the fans bring the economic impact.”

Cocoa Beach Races In Strong Resurrection Mode

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