This year's Cowes Torquay Cowes offshore powerboat race is to become Cowes Powerboat Festival and will feature racing over the August Bank Holiday.

International marine motorsport promoter, Powerboat P1, and the British Powerboat Racing Club (BPRC) are partnering for the event.

Powerboat P1 will deliver on marketing, communications, and sponsorship assistance.

Meanwhile, tourism destination Experience Kissimmee becomes presenting sponsor.

The event, residing in Cowes, will have its 63rd staging in August.

The British Powerboat Racing Club, based in Cowes, founded the Cowes Torquay race in 1961, establishing it as the world's longest-running powerboat race that happens outside the USA.

With a significant 210-mile course along England's south coast, the race attracts international teams every year throughout August Bank Holiday weekend, reaching speeds beyond 100mph.

Participants race non-stop to Torquay on the South Devon coast.

The Central Florida tourism destination will sponsor UIM (Union Internationale Motonautique) Class 1 offshore racing and the Cowes Torquay Cowes event.

DT Minich, the CEO of Experience Kissimmee, views the partnership as an opportunity to showcase Kissimmee’s family-friendly attractions to one of their leading international visitor markets.

On Friday, August 23, the racing fleet will gather at Cowes Yacht Haven for scrutineering and safety inspections.

The Cowes Torquay Cowes race will begin at 9.30am on Saturday, August 24, followed by the Cowes Poole Cowes race at 10am.

Both races will start at Egypt Point, in the Solent.

Christian Toll, vice chairman of the BPRC, said: "We are delighted to be working with Powerboat P1 and Experience Kissimmee this year for the running of the longest, toughest and most famous offshore powerboat race in the world. The team at P1 brings a wealth of top level racing experience.

"Following tradition, the newly-named Cowes Powerboat Festival will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend in late August and this year will see three races staged over two days. The BPRC, Powerboat P1 and Experience Kissimmee very much look forward to welcoming all competitors and spectators to the ultimate in powerboating activity."