ProMedica Brings NGK Formula 1 Powerboat Championship Races to the Maumee River at ‘Rock the River Toledo

ProMedica and the United Power Boat Performance Group is pleased to bring powerboat performance racers back to Toledo. Rock the River Toledo is part of the NGK Spark Plugs Formula One (F1) Powerboat Championship.

Rock the River Toledo, sponsored by iHeartRadio, will bring world-class F1 powerboat racers to the Maumee River at Promenade Park on Saturday, June 29, 2019 for their 2nd stop of the 6-series racing championship that airs on CBS Sports.

Race fans will be entertained by the F1 boats lightning quick speeds of 120 mph and razor sharp turns, creating nonstop challenges for the world-class drivers. The up close and personal, deck to deck competition creates thrills rarely experienced by boat racing fans. Opening ceremonies will kick off at 3 p.m. in Promenade Park and are free to the public. There will be heat races leading up to the final, along with live bands, vendors, free race pit access, driver autograph sessions, dart boats and other displays.

“ProMedica is really excited that powerboat performance fans will get to experience a thrilling race right here in downtown Toledo along the Maumee River,” said Kathleen Merrill, vice president of Marketing Communications at ProMedica.

Defending 2004 F1 Powerboat Toledo race winner and Mercury Racing sponsored NGK F1 Powerboat Driver, Chris Fairchild, will return to Toledo at Rock the River to reclaim the fastest man on the Maumee title. “It’s been almost 15 years since we last raced in Toledo and had the honor of winning. I’m excited about coming back and getting back on top of the podium. What ProMedica and the City of Toledo has done to the riverfront since I raced here in 2004 is amazing and just makes our job easier to put on a great show. I know myself and the racers are excited to fly around the Maumee River at 120 mph and put on the most exciting race on water,” said Fairchild.

For more information about the event, visit the event’s Facebook page or www.ngkf1.com.

For more information about ProMedica, visit www.promedica.org.ProMedica is a mission-based, not-for-profit integrated healthcare organization headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. It serves communities in 28 states. The organization offers acute and ambulatory care, an insurance company with a dental plan, and post-acute and academic business lines. The organization has more than 56,000 employees, 13 hospitals, 2,100+ physicians and advanced practice providers with privileges, 900+ healthcare providers employed by ProMedica Physicians, a health plan, and nearly 400 assisted living facilities, skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, memory care communities, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, and hospice and home health care agencies. Driven by its Mission to improve your health and well-being, ProMedica has been nationally recognized for its advocacy programs and efforts to address social determinants of health. For more information about ProMedica, please visit www.promedica.org/aboutus.

About the NGK Spark Plugs F1 Powerboat ChampionshipThe NGK Spark Plugs F1 Powerboat Championship is a 6-race series contested across North America from May through September. Established in 2017, the series features 20+ Formula 1 boats reaching speeds of 120 mph. U.S. Powerboat racing first began in 1903. F1 racing for the last five decades, has been recognized as one of the world's most spectacular racing experiences. The F1 boats lightning quick speeds of 120 mph, razor sharp turns, create nonstop challenges for the world class drivers.  The up close and personal, deck to deck, sponson banging competition creates thrills rarely experienced by boat racing fans. For more information about NGK F1 please visit www.ngkf1.com.