The Southern Outlaw Dragboat Association (SODA) will host the Lake Placid Spring Shootout May 3-4, 2025. More than 40 outboard drag boat racing teams are expected to compete on Lake June-in-Winter during the weekend.
SODA hosts drag boat race events throughout the southeastern U.S., and this upcoming race in Lake Placid, FL will be the second stop of their season. On May 2, Lake Placid’s Journal Plaza is hosting a Friday Night Bash from 5-9 PM that is open to the public and will provide fans the opportunity to look at some outboard drag racing boats and meet the boat drivers.
The is the second SODA event that will be held at Lake June with the first one taking place in September 2024. These events are a product of a relationship between Visit Sebring in cooperation with Airstream Ventures, SODA, and the Town of Lake Placid.
“We are thrilled to welcome drag boat racing back to Lake June this year,” said Casey Hartt of Visit Sebring, the tourism organization for Highlands County. “As a proud racing community that loves to be active on our freshwater lakes, hosting this event is a natural fit and already fan favorite.”
Race classes are determined by engine displacement, hull design, and weight. Eight classes are expected to run in the Lake Placid Spring Shootout. The fastest class, Pro Drag/Unlimited, will run the 800-foot course in less than seven seconds at speeds more than 120 MPH.
There is no admission fee for spectators, and the public is encouraged to attend and enjoy an action-packed weekend of outboard drag boat racing. Racing starts Saturday at 11AM and Sunday at Noon. Racing is expected to end around 5 PM both days. For more event information, visit www.SODAracing.com. For Lake Placid and the greater Sebring region visitor information and upcoming events, please visit visitsebring.com.
