Mercury Racing & IHRA Present
Midwest
Challenge
Event Overview
A Weekend Build For Speed, Community and Summer on the Lake
The Midwest Challenge brings world-class offshore powerboat racing to downtown Sheboygan, turning the lakefront into a high-energy weekend of racing, food, music, family fun and up-close access to the boats and teams.
Weekend Highlights
Offshore Racing
Watch high-performance boats compete with premium shoreline viewing
Downtown
Street Party
Streets lined with race boats, vendors, food and live music
Mercury Racing
Tour Truck
Stop by the Mercury Racing tour truck for fun giveaways and up close access to engines
Family Zone
Activities, games and interactive experiences for the whole family all weekend long
VIP Hospitality
Premium race viewing, included food and beverages and exclusive race swag
Weekend Schedule
Friday, Aug 7
- Race course testing
- Boat parade through Downtown Sheboygan
- Street Party
- Food trucks, vendors and live music
- Party Pupils DJ Set: 7:00 – 8:30PM
Sat, Aug 8
- Vendor Village: 9:30am – 4:30pm
- Offshore Racing: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- VIP Hospitality
Sun, Aug 9
- Vendor Village: 9:30am – 4:30pm
- Offshore Racing: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Awards Ceremony: 5:00pm – 6:00pm
Plan Your Visit
Coming Soon!
Where to Watch
Best public viewing locations, family-friendly zones
Parking & Shuttles
Recommended lots, shuttle info and ADA access
Food & Drink
Local vendors, food trucks and local businesses
VIP Hospitality
Make Race Day Feel First Class
Upgrade your weekend with premium viewing, shaded lounge seating, dedicated bars and food service, exclusive swag and more!
Coming SoonPowered by Performance
Since 1973, Mercury Racing has brought race-proven engineering, elite marine performance and a reputation of speed. Discover the legendary power behind the race boats competing in the Midwest Challenge.
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- 500R
- 400R
- 300R
- 250R
- 200R
- 150R
- 60R View R-Series
Experience the future of luxury from the most advanced high-performance outboard on the water.
Rise above with the 400R – where extraordinary power meets exceptional drivability.
A fusion of breathtaking speed and control, the 300R is pure adrenaline-pumping freedom.
The stunning 250R elevates high performance on single-engine bass and sport boats.
Sophisticated power and digital controls for an exceptionally comfortable high-speed experience.
A lightweight, exhilarating power plant for those who test the limits in midsized high-performance boats.
Unleash your potential with the 60R, crafted for serious flats anglers who demand the best.
- Dual Cal 1550/1350
- Dual Cal 1350/1100
- 1100
- 700 SCI
- 600 SCI
- 565
- 520 View Sterndrives
Unshakeable strength. Unbelievable speeds. Our most powerful sterndrive engine outmuscles all challengers.
Two selectable performance calibrations ensure you maximize your thrills based on available fuel.
With heart-pumping power and monumental torque, the 1100 delivers a purely exhilarating experience.
A compact, rugged, supercharged performance machine – the absolute formula for power.
With legendary drive, the 600 SCi shines on high-performance, single-engine boats.
A flawless blend of big-block power and effortless digital control that never fails to impress.
Hand-crafted with precision, this compact powerhouse cranks out 520hp of back-in-your-seat performance.
- ROS
- APX
- Sterndrive
On the challenging waters of offshore powerboat racing, nothing can match the strength of the ROS series.
APX engines dominate closed-course powerboat competition with the most advanced four-stroke racing technology.
When the only option is winning, offshore racers turn to Mercury Racing sterndrive competition engines.
- Profile
- Precision
- Cases & Covers
- Prop Hub Kits
Profile Series props are cast to your specs then expertly tuned and hand-balanced by experienced craftsmen.
Precision Series props are sculpted to perfection using 5-axis CNC technology.
The finest art deserves the best protection, and your Mercury Racing prop is no different.
From engine-specific to rugged, high-speed options, Mercury Racing hubs unlock absolute performance.
- Digital Zero Effort Controls
- Joystick Piloting
- Performance Active Trim
- Integrated Transom System
- X-Haust Noise Reducer
- K-Plane Trim Tabs
- DTS Perfomance Pedal
Experience total command from premium digital controls designed for smooth, drive-by-wire precision.
Dock and maneuver with ease thanks to precision-guided 360-degree handling.
Digitally controlled trim automatically adjusts to ensure the most efficient, smooth ride.
Made for Bravo One XR® sterndrives, with integral power steering cylinders for a clean, pleasing connection.
Bring your high-performance sterndrive in compliance with regional noise regulations.
K-Plane® trim tabs maintain instantly responsive performance under the most punishing conditions.
A new throttle input sensor is roughly 20% the size of the outgoing pedal’s sensor, reducing packaging space and simplifying mounting in tight cockpits.
- Racing Lubricants
Run at the redline with premium lubricants formulated to protect high-intensity engines regularly pushed to extremes.
In a world that sets limits, Mercury Racing sets you free. We craft the most advanced high-performance marine propulsion systems on the water, empowering you to live life at the extreme.
It began with an unquenchable desire to win. With roots in performance boat racing, we’ve spent more than five decades perfecting the art of speed while redefining what’s possible on the water.
Whether you want technical advice to unlock a new level of speed or you need routine service, Mercury Racing stands behind you with expertise and support.
The QC4 Factory Refresh Program is a chance to turn back the clock by having the same team of master technicians who originally built your engine restore it to factory-fresh condition.
- R-Series Outboard
- Sterndrive
- Competition
- 500R
- 400R
- 300R
- 250R
- 200R
- 150R
- 60R
- Dual Cal 1550/1350
- Dual Cal 1350/1100
- 1100
- 700 SCI
- 600 SCI
- 565
- 520
- ROS
- APX
- Sterndrive
- Propellers
- Controls & Rigging
- Oils & Lubes
- Profile Series
- Precision Series
- Cases & Covers
- Prop Hub Kits
- Digital Zero Effort Controls
- Joystick Piloting
- Performance Active Trim
- Integrated Transom System
- X-Haust Noise Reducer
- K-Plane Trim Tabs
- DTS Performance Pedal
- Racing Lubricants
-
Events
Blog
- Collaborations About Mercury Racing Our Heritage