The 2025 GP Challenge series kicks off in Guntersville, Alabama

This weekend, June 6-8, will see the start of the 2025 GP Challenge series with round 1 at the Guntersville Lake HydroFest in Guntersville, Alabama. The GP Challenge series is a 3 race series, with round 2 taking place at the 75th running of the Madison Regatta in Madison, Indiana (July 4-6), and the final round being battled on the Baie St. François at the Régates de Valleyfield (July 13-15). The driver/team that accumulates the most points across the 3 race weekends will claim the victory and put their name on the GP Challenge Trophy. The GP Challenge series brings the roar to the shore thanks to sponsors like Jesel Valvetrain Innovation, Rottler Manufacturing, Bert Transmission, Régates de Valleyfield and Dewald Propellers.

Guntersville Lake HydroFest, presented by Pinnacle Peak Consulting, will also act as the first points-paying event for the Grand Prix class in the Hydroplane Racing League. 5 HRL teams will be making the trip down to Alabama to fight for the HydroFest crown against a strong fleet of boats from the Grand Prix America hydroplane series.

HRL teams to look for

Defending HRL GP Champion Ken Lupton’s GP-577 Lucas Oil and brother Jack Lupton’s GP-33 JLM left Brockville, Ontario on Monday after completing extensive upgrades and repairs throughout the off-season. The New Zealand based duo make their second trip to Guntersville, with Jack taking the victory in the 2022 running of the event.

Defending GP Challenge series winner Brandon Kennedy returns to pilot the GP-35 TKO Racing for owner Ron Thompson. The TKO team tested a new FuelTech electronic fuel injection system in Cambridge, Maryland, but will switch back to a more traditional engine configuration while they continue to test and develop the next generation of Grand Prix engines. Brandon will also be making his H1 Unlimited Debut with the U-6 Miss Madison team.

Bobby King will be piloting Huey Newport’s GP-71 The Wild One, replacing primary driver Andrew Tate. Tate, due to contractual obligations, will focus his efforts on driving the U-91 Miss Goodman Real Estate for the newly established BWR Racing team.

Éric Langevin and his GP-212 Sylco will also make the trek as the sole representative from Quebec, Canada. A respected driver on the circuit, Langevin brings both experience and determination to the Grand Prix class, proudly flying the Quebec flag.

Meanwhile, Ken Brodie’s GP-50 Freedom team will be absent from both the Guntersville Lake HydroFest and the Madison Regatta as the team continues to repair fire damage from last September’s San Diego Bayfair.

When and where to watch?

Action begins in Guntersville, Alabama on Friday, June 6th at 10:00 AM CDT. Grand Prix qualifying will take place from 1:00-2:00 PM CDT on Friday, and Grand Prix Heat 1A is scheduled for 9:30 AM CDT on Saturday, June 7th. All action will be livestreamed on the H1 Unlimited YouTube channel and will be shared on the Hydroplane Racing League social media pages as well as the HRL website and mobile app.