The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has acquired the Desert Storm Poker Run and Shootout, one of the nation’s premier performance-boating events, the organization announced. The multi-day gathering, long a highlight of the spring calendar on Lake Havasu, now joins IHRA’s growing portfolio of powerboat properties following the group’s October 2025 purchase of Powerboat P1’s U.S. offshore racing program and the F1 Powerboat Championship.
Desert Storm has deep roots in the Lake Havasu boating scene. Launched in the late 1990s as the Spring Heat Wave by local enthusiast Jim Nichols Sr., Art Witzell and a group of performance-boat owners, the event quickly evolved into a signature celebration of speed, camaraderie, and lakeside excitement. Under the Nichols family—later led by son James “Jimmy” Nichols Jr. and his wife Christina—it grew into a nationally recognized destination featuring a high-profile poker run, a thrilling high-speed shootout, and a popular downtown street party. After 25 years of family stewardship, the event transferred in late 2022 to Lake Havasu City entrepreneurs Steve Ticknor and Jim Russell, who kept the tradition alive and ensured it remained firmly anchored in its birthplace.
IHRA President Leah Martin expressed strong enthusiasm for the future of the event and its role in the organization’s broader strategy.
“On behalf of the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), we want to thank all of the sponsors, participants, vendors, and partners who have helped make Desert Storm one of the premier performance boating events in the country,” Martin said. “As the new owner of Desert Storm, IHRA is incredibly excited about the future of the event and the opportunity to work together to continue growing the experience for racers, exhibitors, sponsors, and fans alike. Desert Storm is strategic to IHRA for our West expansion.”
Martin added that the event has “built an incredible legacy within the boating community,” and that IHRA’s goal is to “build upon that strong foundation while bringing additional energy, exposure, and opportunities to the event. We are committed to supporting the industry, enhancing the overall event experience, and continuing to make Desert Storm a must-attend destination for performance boating enthusiasts from across the country.”
The Desert Storm weekend typically blends an exciting poker run—where participants hit scenic checkpoints across the lake—with a high-adrenaline shootout that draws top-tier performance boats capable of speeds exceeding 200 mph. The newly dubbed IHRA Street Party for 2026 in downtown Lake Havasu has become a marquee kickoff, drawing tens of thousands of spectators, exhibitors, and enthusiasts for a vibrant display of boats, vendors, and industry networking. Long ranked among the top five poker runs in the nation by industry publications, the event has consistently delivered a mix of competition, community, and pure lakeside fun.
Martin emphasized IHRA’s commitment to the event’s continued success: “We appreciate your continued support and look forward to working alongside all of you as we begin this exciting new chapter together. More updates and information will be shared soon, and we cannot wait for what’s ahead.”
Speaking to Speedboat about the sale, Jim Russell said, "We are thrilled to have helped grow this event to the level, or that it's achieved this year, with 24,500 people geo-fenced at the Street Party. The IHRA will now take it to the next level." Russell said the process began with IHRA's major sponsorship, with plans for the purchase developing over the past month.
With IHRA now at the helm, Desert Storm appears poised for even greater national visibility while preserving the unique Havasu spirit that has defined it for nearly three decades.